Nissan and Eaton have announced a partnership that will use their respective expertise in lithium-ion batteries and power electronics to create commercially viable energy storage and control centers that offer a productive second life for Nissan’s EV batteries after their days on the road.

The two companies will deploy a module that combines retired LEAF batteries with Eaton’s uninterruptable power supply (UPS) technology and solar PV to create a stand-alone energy storage and control package that can be used connected to, or independent of, the grid.

A recent DOE analysis found that repurposing used EV batteries for stationary storage can offset the costs of recycling vehicles. Navigant Research predicts that second-life batteries will represent a $3 billion business by 2035.

“These systems will really facilitate the wider adoption and deployment of renewable generation, giving people greater control over their energy supply and consumption,” said Eaton VP of Marketing Cyrille Brisson. “The benefits of such a unit include continuity of supply, increased grid stability and efficiency, avoidance of peak energy tariffs and reduced reliance on expensive fuels like diesel in no-grid or poor-grid situations.”

Source: Nissan