One of the biggest problems with electric car batteries, solved by JLR

In cooperation with Wykes Engineering, the project will aim to develop the UK’s largest renewable energy storage systems to harness solar and wind energy.

One of the biggest problems with electric car batteries, solved by JLR. In cooperation with Wykes Engineering, the project will aim to develop the UK’s largest renewable energy storage systems to harness solar and wind energy. This seeks to give a second life to electric vehicle batteries, since 30 reused Jaguar I-Pace batteries can store 2.5 MWh of energy.

And that is enough to supply about 250 homes for one day. This battery energy storage system, known by its acronym BESS, will help the decarbonization of the British electricity company National Grid. Also to supply the population during peak demand. The aim is to follow the principles of the circular economy, trying to use fewer things but use them for longer, such as electric car batteries.

For this JLR has partnered with Wykes Engineering Ltd. This second company is a leader in the renewable energy sector. This partnership seeks to develop one of the largest energy storage systems in the United Kingdom, taking advantage of solar and wind energy by reusing batteries from Jaguar I-Pace units. These recovered batteries come from prototypes and engineering test vehicles.

JLR wants to have the necessary batteries to store a total of 7.5 MWh of energy, enough to supply 750 homes for one day. All of this before the end of 2023. From here on, an attempt would be made to obtain more electric car batteries to supply more homes. Each of the systems is capable of supplying power directly to the National Grid during peak consumption hours. The key is that they can extract energy during off-peak hours to store it and use it at another time.

François Dossa, Executive Director of Strategy and Sustainability at JLR, stated: “Our sustainability approach spans the entire value chain of our vehicles, including the circular life of electric vehicle batteries. These batteries are designed to the highest standards and this innovative project, in collaboration with Wykes Engineering, demonstrates that they can be safely reused in energy sector applications to increase the use of renewable energy. Use the residual capacity of 70 to 80% of these batteries before recycle them demonstrates the full adoption of the principles of circularity.”

Reuben Chorley, Trading Division Director at JLR, commented: “We are very pleased to be working with Wykes Engineering on this pioneering project which will help reveal the true potential of renewable energy. Developing projects like this, which offer a second life to batteries, is key to helping JLR adopt a new circular economy business model and drive us to achieve carbon neutrality before 2039”.