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Nissan Looks to Energy Storage for Old Leaf Battery Packs

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by a_gray_prius, Jul 12, 2011.

  1. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    DailyTech - Nissan Looks to Energy Storage for Old Leaf Battery Packs


     
  2. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    Using a battery to store electricity?

    Brilliant!!

    Does this article start a disposable car debate?
     
  3. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Can the battery not be recycled back into an automotive battery again? If not, why not?

    If there are going to be millions of EV's on the road, then surely the batteries need to have a useful use and/or be recycled properly. Trying to find a use for them such as 'energy storage' for undefined usage sounds like they (Nissan et al) don't really know what to do with all these batteries.
     
  4. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    GC, I think you're missing the point. Used traction batteries still have decent capacity for alternate purposes. Using these high capacity (albeint used) batteries to store grid power (by backfeeding like PV solar does) can help level the grid during times of grid stress. It gives a bit of extra use BEFORE the traction batteries go to recycle.
     
    1 person likes this.
  5. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    Any clue what they are considering useful car life?

    10 years? 20?
     
  6. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    yes they can, but we need to examine the cost of recycling a battery that has 20% capacity left or one that has 70% (which is considered the point that EV batteries would be replaced) capacity left.

    the cost difference is insignificant compared to the additional 10 years of useful life a used EV battery has to give
     
  7. MontyTheEngineer

    MontyTheEngineer New Member

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    Nissan calls the Leaf's life span 10 years, after which the 80% battery capacity is deemed to be too limiting.

    Recycling should be possible. The battery loses capacity because the metal ions moving back and forth as it's discharged & recharged will eventually change the original smooth metal surfaces into lumpy, patchy ones that can't store electricity as effectively. Restoring them to full service isn't as simple as flushing out some fluid and replacing a couple of screws, but it seems to me that if you tear it all the way down you can melt down the materials and start over.

    Now, is it economically appealing to recycle them? Since you don't hear much about doing it, I'm guessing not.
     
  8. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Here is a technical discussion about Why Advanced Lithium Batteries are hard to recycle. Caution, this fellow is an EV-skeptic.
    But the thread topic suggests Nissan may agree with the analyst.

    Why Advanced Lithium Ion Batteries Won't Be Recycled | Alternative Energy Stocks
     
  9. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    How about they take a bunch of these used leaf batteries and install them in the highest floor in the highest building at the highest ground at nuclear power plants during emergencies.
     
  10. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    1 person likes this.
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Thank you Dave! I did not see the comments (because I get the blog sent to my email sans comments). Even more spicy and interesting and technical data in the comments. As a whole article + comments, I thought it fit here.
     
  12. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    sounds like the author is pushing "other" energy stocks by bashing EV related technology
     
  13. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Yes this is stock pickers website for alt energy. But I read the blog only for energy/enviro position development because I tend to agree with some of his points. When appropriate I share a few things here.
     
  14. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    old leaf batteries + solar panels = electricity for the needy


    maybe join up with habitat for humanity