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With the boom in electric vehicles (VE), the question of the management of used batteries becomes crucial. An imminent surplus of these batteries in California could exceed the stationary storage needs of the state. However, a study by a transatlantic research team offers an innovative solution: reuse batteries for energy storage before recycling them. This approach could considerably reduce carbon emissions, thus contributing to the fight against climate change.
Reuse of batteries: a lever for the climate
Models show that immediately recycling all used batteries of the California FIV fleet would cover around 61 % of the state’s cumulative demand in battery by 2050, and to avoid around 48 million tonnes of CO₂. However, adopting an approach favoring reuse could expand this environmental margin. By reaffecting worn batteries to balance the solar and wind enriched networks before recycling, you would avoid up to 56 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
The replacement of aging batteries with newly manufactured lithium-ion units is much more intensive in carbon than reuse or recycling.
By extending the lifespan of the batteries, we postpone the load of manufacturing and associated emissions. This demonstrates the importance of rethinking battery management at the end of life to maximize climatic profits.
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Imminent surplus: an urgent need for recycling infrastructure
Although the reuse of batteries is beneficial for the climate, the researchers warn that in mid-secle, the volume of used VE batteries in California will exceed the stationary storage needs. Even using only batteries with iron and lithium phosphate, considered ideal for this use, the supply will exceed demand.
The authors recommend that decision -makers set up a large -scale recycling capacity now.
The implementation of collection networks, automated disassembly lines and effective refining processes will take time. Delaying these investments could cause logistical strangles and delay the recovery of precious materials such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.
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Possible and compromise scenarios
To assess the choices available, the research team has modeled three scenarios using data on battery chemicals, sales forecasts, lifestyles, recycling yields and clean energy development in California. The reference scenario reflects the emerging market for reuse, with only 2.5 % of the batteries entering a second life. The recycling scenario diverts 100 % of the batteries to the recovery of materials, while the second use scenario favors reuse until storage needs are met each year.
In all scenarios, recycling remains essential to complete the loop on raw materials. However, only the channel of the second use maximizes carbon savings while fueling future recycling flows with batteries used for an additional or more decade.
Impact on the Energy Policy of the United States
Although the study focuses on California, its conclusions resonate at the national level while federal incentives accelerate both the adoption of the EVs and the production of renewable energy. States with ambitious objectives in clean energy can achieve larger climatic gains by combining solar and wind farms with reused VE batteries.
Regional holistic planning, coordinating production, reuse and recycling, is essential to unlock all the advantages of a circular economy of batteries.
The jurisdictions which act early will secure the resilience of the supply chain, will reduce dependence on the materials extracted and will carry out deeper programs.
The challenge of the management of used batteries of the VE raises many strategic and environmental questions. While California and other regions are advancing towards lasting energy objectives, the balance between reuse and recycling becomes crucial. How will political decision-makers manage to optimize these strategies to maximize environmental benefits while supporting a robust circular economy?
This article is based on verified sources and the assistance of editorial technologies.
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