Can repurposed lithium-ion batteries be used for load shifting?

This study examines the environmental and economic feasibility of using repurposed spent electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in the ESS of communication base stations (CBS) for load shifting.

Should repurposed lithium batteries be used as a lab system?

From the resource point of view, the MDP of repurposed LIBs isnot always preferable to that of the conventional LAB system. Recently, the environmental and social impacts of battery metals such as nickel, lithium and cobalt, have drawn much attention due to the ever-increasing demand ( Ziemann et al., 2019; Watari et al., 2020 ).

How does repurposing a battery affect the environment?

Additionally, the repurposing stage has a relativelylow environmental impact throughout the battery’s life cycle, accounting for 10% on average. The production of aluminum, which is used in the package of the battery pack, largely determines the outcome.

What happens if repurposed lithium ion batteries are widely promoted?

On the other hand, if the secondary use of repurposed LIBs is widely promoted,a delay in metal circulation will occur; the material availability might be questionable, and more primary lithium, copper, and aluminum have to be extracted to meet the supply shortages in the manufacturing sector.

How can cooperation reduce the cost of a battery?

Consequently,cooperation along the life cycle can be considered to reduce this cost, in which battery manufacturers, automakers, EV consumers, infrastructure constructors and other actors can become integrated and possibly form alliances.

Does secondary use of lithium ion batteries reduce the MDP value?

The findings of this study indicate a potential dilemma; more raw metals are depleted during the secondary use of LIBs in CBSs than in the LAB scenario. On the one hand, the secondary use of LIBsreduces the MDP value by extending the service life of the batteries, although more metal resources are consumed during the repurposing activities.