February 16, 2023: Second-life lithium ion batteries shouldn’t be deployed in dwelling vitality storage techniques below any circumstances, in line with one of many findings of a UK research .
The research, commissioned by the Workplace for Product Security and Requirements from Newcastle College and printed on January 30, says that though some incidents of thermal runaway with home lithium ion battery vitality storage techniques are identified to the general public, such occasions can result in fires, launch of poisonous. gasoline or explosion.
In keeping with the research, the various talks with stakeholders revealed two conflicting views on batteries within the second life.
First, {that a} security framework could be put in place to permit the usage of second-life lithium ion batteries in home battery vitality storage techniques, “so long as the total historical past of the batteries of their first purposes in life are identified or they are often successfully examined”.
However the second, “extra radical view” of some respondents, is that the security of such cells can by no means be assured and “second life lithium ion batteries shouldn’t be used below any circumstances in home battery vitality storage techniques”.
The research says that probably extra stringent necessities for home-built home vitality storage techniques that use second-life batteries ought to be thought of. That is as a result of threat of fireplace and electrical hazards, the existence of potential untested batteries within the second life and the potential lack of awareness, such because the getting old of the battery and the talents of customers to cut back the chance by way of testing and good system design.
There are not any UK or European requirements particularly for second-life lithium ion batteries though the British Requirements Establishment is creating requirements to handle this hole, the research mentioned.
Contributors to the research embrace representatives from greater than 30 organizations resembling BESS and EV producers and suppliers, business associations, battery recyclers, analysis institutes, public and authorities our bodies, product security consultants, and requirements our bodies.
The research is obtainable on-line.
