JSW MG Motor India launched the ‘Project REVIVE’ initiative in August 2024, along with other innovations at the DriEV.Bharat event. Project REVIVE, is JSW MG’s initiative in partnership with TERI, Lohum and BatX, aimed at repurposing EV batteries beyond cars to provide a second life as renewable energy storage systems for sustainable community applications.

Second Life of EV Batteries

The second-life EV batteries market is projected to experience significant growth globally by 2030. As the adoption of electric vehicles in the country increases, the quantum of batteries with potential second-life use will increase. EVs are being promoted globally as a mitigation strategy to reduce emissions. Experts estimate that the global second-life battery capacity will reach about 950 GWh by 2030 (Statista, 2023). Innovative solutions are needed to promote the use of batteries during their second life. Practical evaluation of second-life applications is important to build consumer confidence and promote adoption, leading to the circularity of EV batteries. In this direction, TERI is supporting JSW MG in this initiative as a knowledge partner and conducting trials at TERI’s Himalayan Centre by deploying for community applications.

Community Applications

Batteries banks rated at 5 kWh each were installed in a grid-interactive solar PV microgrid configuration. Systems were installed for the following community applications:

School Electrification

Schools in hilly regions face difficulties as the utility grid is unreliable with power outages limiting the delivery of education. The government through its Education Policy is working to provide modern education facilities such as smart TVs, computers, projectors, etc. Access to reliable electricity significantly affects these programmes, during winters. Repurposed EV batteries (in combination with solar PV modules) were deployed in schools in Bana and Gangochor villages. Since deployment, the schools have had sufficient battery backup power to meet their needs. Further, the electricity bills have been reduced.

Community bakery: TRISHA (TERI’s Research Initiative at Supi for Himalayan Advancement) was established in 2003 in Supi village in Nainital, Uttarakhand (TERI, 2024). TRISHA is a distinct venture towards sustainable development whose strength lies in ever-greater community engagement. Research and extension at the Centre have largely focused on improving the livelihoods of local farmers. In 2023, TERI set up a bakery run by local women to prepare millet cookies and other products. All the appliances are electric, and cookies are sold to market. Thus, promoting a healthy lifestyle and increasing income to local women. Due to power outages, during certain days of the year, the facility operations are limited. Since the deployment of the second-life EV battery, the facility has not faced any shortfall in electricity and productivity improved. 

Farmers Training Centre: Under the ONGC-TERI programme at Mukteshwar, a farmer training centre was initiated. This facility acts as a platform for farmers to learn sustainability practices, produce high-value products and learn from each other experiences.  The Centre aims to promote eco-friendly techniques, sustainable livelihoods, homestays, and ecotourism, benefiting 6,000 people in the Nainital and Champawat districts. The facility has food processing equipment, projectors, computers (for staff) and other appliances. A solar PV microgrid with repurposed EV batteries was installed to cater to critical loads of the facility, requiring backup.  Since then,
the facility has had access to reliable clean energy.

Outcomes

The results from these pilot installations over the past five months reflect the immense opportunity to adopt repurposed EV batteries for community applications. Repurposed batteries could provide clean energy, reliable access to electricity, minimize usage of critical minerals and promote circularity. 

When combined with other schemes and initiatives of the government such as PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, circularity for EV batteries can be promoted. 

References

Statista, Projected global second life battery capacity from 2023 to 2030, 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/876624/global-second-life-battery-capacity/

TERI, Himalayan Centre, Nainital, 2024. https://www.teriin.org/nainital #

Kapil Muddineni is a Fellow at Electricity & Renewables division, TERI and Neha Jain is Head – EV and Innovation, JSW MG Motor India Pvt. Ltd