Cells from solar lamps are to be reused to make energy storage systems to power homes in Kenya following a partnership between lithium battery firm Aceleron and UK firm Total Access to Energy Solutions (TATES).
The first stage of the project will see Aceleron convert TATES waste lithium-ion battery cells into reusable battery packs for off-grid applications across Kenya and the surrounding area including Benin, Rwanda and Libya.
UK-based Aceleron will make 12V/19Ah lithium-ion batteries using the second-life cells recovered from solar lamps at a cost of $45 a unit, which it claims will last seven years.
The company says the units will be more efficient than lead-acid batteries most commonly used in Kenya, which cost the equivalent of $12-a-year for 12V/17Ah— effectively 12V/8.5Ah as they were typically operated to a maximum of 50% discharge.
An Aceleron spokesman told BEST: “Based on lead-acid use for solar home energy storage, when they are not built for purpose (more designed to start motors then deep discharge), the average number of cycles is between 200-250 whereas we estimate conservatively that the second-life lithium-ion cells should give 2,000-2,500 cycles compared with up to 5,000 cycles from new cells.”
Dr Amrit Chandan, CEO of Aceleron, said: “Sustainability is about more than just emissions, it’s about improving people’s lives. Our circular-economy approach delivers lithium-ion batteries that work better, last longer and are cheaper. We are making clean power an option for off-grid Kenyans, making a real impact to their lives by giving access to clean electricity while also reducing carbon emissions.
Kenya aims to be entirely powered by renewable energy by the end of next year, with more than 70% of its power already delivered by renewable sources.
Aceleron is training local technicians in Kenya’s capital Nairobi to service and repair batteries on site. The team has already assessed 5,000 waste batteries, using 4,500 to produce 150 second life battery packs.
The project with TATES will run until 2021, with Aceleron securing interest from partners across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, Liberia, Malawi and Zambia.
