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From First-Life to Second-Life : A Journey of Circular Innovation

10Mar

From First-Life to Second-Life : A Journey of Circular Innovation

News

What happens to a battery after it finishes powering an electric vehicle? In many cases, it’s still capable of storing and delivering energy, but lacks the support systems to be safely and efficiently reused. This is one of the most pressing challenges in the battery sector and the BIG LEAP project is tackling it head-on.

BIG LEAP is developing a unified framework to enable Second-Life Battery Energy Storage Systems (SL-BESS) that are not only efficient, but also adaptable and safe for a variety of grid and stationary storage applications. By implementing a modular and adaptive Battery Management System (BMS), the project ensures that used batteries can be assessed, reconfigured, and repurposed, creating a reliable second-life ecosystem.

This second life not only maximizes the value of battery materials, it also contributes to climate neutrality by reducing the demand for new raw materials and lowering lifecycle emissions. By breathing new life into batteries, BIG LEAP is turning what was once considered waste into opportunity.

A cornerstone of this approach is the development of advanced diagnostic tools and evaluation methods that assess the state-of-health, remaining capacity, and thermal behavior of used batteries before integrating them into SL-BESS units. These tools help ensure safety, performance, and compliance with EU regulations and standards.

In parallel, BIG LEAP is also working closely with industry stakeholders and policymakers to create supportive frameworks and business models that encourage the adoption of second-life technologies across Europe.

The result? A practical roadmap for scaling up SL-BESS solutions, one that blends technical innovation with real-world impact.

Be part of the shift toward circular energy systems. Join our Community of Practice: https://bigleapproject.eu/community-of-practice

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ENERGETIC 

An innovative artificial intelligence-based approach to improve battery energy storage Facilitating grid flexibility through energy storage is crucial for accommodating higher levels of renewable penetration, ushering in a more electrified and decarbonised society through the repurposing of second-life batteries.

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NEXTBAT 

Aims to significantly contribute to decrease the carbon footprint of the innovative battery system by decreasing production costs thanks to the high recyclability capacity of hardware and cells components along the production chain.

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BATTERY2LIFE 

BATTERY2LIFE is a project, funded by Horizon Europe programme that will facilitate the smooth transition of batteries to 2nd life use and boost the innovation of the European Battery Industry by providing enablers to implement open, adaptable smart Battery Management Systems (BMSes) and improved system designs towards reliable reconfiguration of used batteries. Two demonstrations that represent two promising and sustainable business cases, serving the two most common stationary applications have been carefully selected: The domestic and industrial (grid-scale) storage, with respect to their operational specificities and requirements. The project’s duration extends from January 2024 to December 2026

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BATTERY 2030+ 

BATTERY 2030+ is the large-scale and long-term European research initiative with the vision of inventing the sustainable batteries of the future, providing European industry with disruptive technologies and a competitive edge throughout the battery value chain and enabling Europe to reach the goals of a climate-neutral society envisaged in the European Green Deal. The BATTERY 2030+ community works on concrete actions that support the implementation of the European Green Deal, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the European Action Plan on Batteries and the SET Plan.
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BATT4EU 

BATT4EU is a Co-programmed Partnership established under Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation of the European Union. BATT4EU is a collaboration of the European Commission and European battery R&I stakeholders, united in BEPA.

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RECIRCULATE 

RECIRCULATE is an EU funded project that aims to revolutionize the European battery sector by developing the technologies and systems required to enable cascading reuse of batteries and battery components at their end-of-life. RECIRCULATE envisions a future where batteries have an extended lifespan in second and third-life applications, and are only recycled when their maximum value has been extracted, leading to a more sustainable and resource-efficient battery sector.

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REINFORCE 

In the search for sustainable mobility and energy system transition solutions, batteries emerge as a fundamental technology for the advancement of electric cars, renewable energy storage, and the reduction of carbon emissions. 

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BATMAX 

The main objective of the project is to contribute to improving battery system performance, safety, reliability, service life, lifetime cost and therefore to maximise the value created by operation of the battery systems in various kinds of end use applications. To concretise the pathways towards reaching the main objective, BATMAX partners are exploring emerging opportunities for optimised battery utilisation across the technical scope. The main objective is approached by creating a framework for next generation of battery management based on large amounts of data, both experimental, operational and synthetic, adaptable physics-based models, suitable reduced-order models for both physical BMS algorithms and real-time multi-scale digital twins.

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BatteReverse 

BatteReverse is working towards building the next generation of battery reverse logistics. 1.7 million tonnes of batteries will have reached their end of life by 2030. We are developing necessary technologies, processes, and partnerships to give EV batteries a second life. Through a set of activities, we are enhancing efficiency and safety, demonstrate innovative reverse logistics pilots, and empower the European circularity.
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Haven Project 

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SOLITEK 

SoliTek is Northern Europe’s largest solar module producer, proudly delivering the world’s most sustainable solar modules and manufacturing smart battery SoliTek NOVA. Founded in 2009, SoliTek is a part of the BOD Group, which has been successfully operating for the last 25 years as a family-owned conglomeration of high-tech companies. Now, SoliTek has achieved net-zero status, marking our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. SoliTek’s solar modules are entirely environmentally friendly since their panels are the world’s first to receive the “Cradle to Cradle” Gold certification. This certification verifies that solar modules comply with the highest environmental sustainability standards, energy efficiency, and social responsibility requirements. The manufacturing procedure employs 35% recycled glass, and the modules are entirely recyclable after their 30-year warranty period. 100% renewable energy is utilized during the production procedure. SoliTek specializes in providing a glass glass solar modules tailored to various applications. Our offerings include integrated solar panels for walls or roofs, solar carports, and panels designed for optimal transparency in greenhouses. We prioritize safety and performance excellence, a commitment evident in the certification of our modules by the DIBt certificate for overhead glazing use.

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TATA Power Company Limited

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SIRO 

Siro was established on September 27, 2021 as a joint venture between Togg and Farasis Energy to develop energy storage solutions for automotive and non-automotive use in Türkiye and surrounding markets. Siro started mass production of battery modules and packs it developed in 2023. Siro, which will start the production of battery cells that it has started to develop as of 2023, will start in 2026 and will become an important energy storage player in the region with its 20 GWh production capacity that it will reach in time. Siro will present its developed energy storage solutions to global markets, and will provide services in the field of energy storage solutions that will support renewable energy, electric grid, charging stations and residential solutions besides automotive, and will be directly responsible for 120 countries in the region besides Türkiye.
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Bern University of Applied Sciences

Anyone who studies at Bern University of Applied Sciences can do so in an interdisciplinary way and in an international context, without setting foot outside the University: within its eight departments, a range of subjects as varied as nursing, food technology and sports are taught. It is also a meeting point for students from many diverse countries. Many-sided yet goal-orientated: anyone who chooses to study at Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH runs no risk at all of focussing solely on their course. With eight departments under one roof, it’s not difficult to see your subject from another angle. The 30 bachelor’s degree courses, 22 master’s courses, and numerous continuing education programmes combine to give BFH a remarkable profile. The University is based in Bern, Burgdorf, Biel/Bienne, Zollikofen and Magglingen.

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RES4AFRICA

Born in 2012, RES4Africa (Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa) is a Foundation that works in support of Africa’s just energy transition in order to achieve the SDG7, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. It functions as a bridge between Europe and Africa: gathering a network of members from all over the clean energy sector from both continents and high-level international partnerships, we ensure constant dialogue between the most relevant energy stakeholders willing to mobilise investments in clean energy technologies.

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Asociación Española de la innovación en el marketing y la inversión sostenible

AEIMIS is established as an independent national association, non-profit and non-speculative, with the aim of centralizing, promoting, and disseminating knowledge related to practices, tools, evaluation methods, and existing investment mechanisms that allow members to understand how these operate in different business sectors.

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INEGI

Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is a Research and Technology Organisation (RTO), founded in 1986, focused on research and technology-based innovation activities, technology transfer, consulting and technological services, oriented to the development of industry and economy in general. A non-profit, private and recognised as a public utility entity.

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OCTAVE Energy

As leaders in second-life battery energy storage systems, Octave is committed to developing sustainable solutions for the energy transition. Their innovative approach is modeled on a circular economy to reduce waste and mitigate climate change. Octave empowers a cleaner and brighter future for all. The team at Octave strongly believes that using virgin batteries for stationary energy storage makes little sense. They recognize that battery packs considered end-of-life in electric vehicles still retain over 80% usable capacity, and Octave is determined not to let it go to waste. Octave’s mission is to give a second life to batteries from electric vehicles, repurposing them into a much-needed source of sustainable energy storage.
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Corvus Energy

Corvus Energy deploys large-scale energy storage systems (ESS) using advanced lithium-ion battery systems proven economical, safe, and reliable in a range of challenging maritime and transportation applications. As the leading battery system supplier for hybrid and electric commercial marine vessels—such as ferries, cruise ships, offshore supply vessels, and tugboats—Corvus Energy been honored with numerous environmental awards and is the only supplier to carry DNV, Lloyd’s Register, ABS and BV product Type Approvals. Corvus Energy systems are also used in hybrid port cranes, electric light rail vehicles, hybrid trains, commercial vehicles, and an ever-expanding range of applications that demand exceptional battery performance. Corvus Energy systems have helped significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption and CO2 / GHG emissions, providing operators with impressive ROI along with global recognition for clean energy leadership.
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EATON

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy and helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges.
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EDF

Électricité de France S.A. (literally Electricity of France), commonly known as EDF, is a French multinational electric utility company owned by the French state. Headquartered in Paris, with €143.5 billion in revenues in 2022,[2] EDF operates a diverse portfolio of at least 120 gigawatts of generation capacity in Europe, South America, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
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IKERLAN 

IKERLAN is a leading knowledge transfer technological centre providing competitive value to companies. We seek for excellence in R&D&i, thanks to the continuous adaptation to the needs of our customers and the proximity with the business reality. Faithful to our mission, we have been working daily since 1974 to develop solutions that allow our customers to become more and more competitive. We are a cooperative member of the MONDRAGON Corporation and the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA).
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Fraunhofer Gesellschaft  

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