Hyundai and LGES are testing battery storage systems using used electric vehicle batteries
Hyundai and Kia are working with LG Energy Solution to carry out a large-scale demonstration project for charging stations using a battery storage system as an external buffer, with used batteries from E-GMP platform electric vehicles being utilized in this project.
The goal of the pilot project in South Korea is to determine whether batteries removed from electric vehicles can find a profitable second life as energy storage for charging electric vehicles, a concept known as Second Life. The project uses battery packs from electric cars based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. According to the companies, this is the first such demonstration in South Korea that utilizes retired E-GMP battery packs.
The system installed at Wonik PNE’s facility in Dongtan, Hwaseong, south of Seoul, has a storage capacity of 200 kWh. The UBESS system there is connected to fast chargers for electric vehicles. The installation stores energy in the UBESS system mainly during off-peak hours when electricity prices are low, and then charges the electric vehicles using fast chargers during peak hours.
Hyundai and Kia want to develop a business model
As part of the UBESS project, Hyundai and Kia, as sister brands, aim to develop a business model to establish a system for the safe and efficient use of used batteries. LG Energy Solution manufactures UBESS systems (Ultra-Burned Energy Storage) using used battery packs from Hyundai Motor and Kia, and supports the evaluation of system performance and safety through its battery diagnostics and operation technology.
Based on its experience in operating charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, Hyundai Engineering evaluates business developments in real-world environments and their connection to the charging infrastructure business, while Wonik PNE, a charger manufacturer, is responsible for ensuring stable system operation and technical inspections through its charging device manufacturing technology and expertise in infrastructure construction.
Based on their expertise in their respective fields, the participating companies plan to thoroughly examine charging/discharging control algorithms, system security and reliability, battery health characteristics, as well as charging quality and operational efficiency. They also aim to test the feasibility of reusing used batteries and implementing a battery circular economy in real business environments, according to Hyundai.
The use of used electric vehicle batteries in stationary battery storage is not new. For example, Porsche built a stationary energy storage system two years ago to power its factory in Leipzig, using used batteries from its Taycan electric car. There are also already fast chargers with integrated battery storage, such as those from ADS-Tec or ELMI Power. What’s new about Hyundai’s project and its partners, however, is the combination of used batteries in a battery storage system along with a fast charger.