Trial operations have begun on a second-life lithium-ion energy storage system for frequency regulation in Hamburg, Germany.
The 2MW (2,800kWh) project, which uses 2,600 battery modules from more than 100 BMW electric vehicles, began after successful completion of the design phase.
The project aims to learn more about the ageing characteristics and storage capacity of used lithium-ion battery modules.
The storage facility near the Steinwerder Cruise Centre is a joint project between BMW, Bosch and Vattenfall, who will sell energy to the primary control reserve market.
The storage facility delivers primary control reserve power necessary to keep the 50 Hz grid frequency stable.
Cordelia Thielitz, general manager of Bosch Energy Storage Solutions, said: “Thanks to smart electronic controllers, these storage systems can absorb excess electricity and release it again very quickly when needed.
“We expect to gain valuable knowledge from the Battery 2nd Life development project, and we regard it is as an important step on the way to a more efficient and more decentralized energy system,” says.
The five years Battery second-life development project kicked off in 2013.
Used batteries have been providing interim storage and power buffering for fast-charge stations in Hamburg’s HafenCity district since September 2014.
Earlier this year, BMW launched a wall mounted battery storage system using BMW i3 22 kWh or 33kWh battery packs.
The trial follows in the footsteps of German automobile OEM Daimler who built a 13MW second-life battery storage unit in Lünen and a lithium-ion battery storage facility using new EV battery packs that will then become replacement batteries for EVs.
