- Used Taycan batteries are helping power Porsche’s Leipzig factory in Germany
- These batteries were taken from pre-production cars used for testing.
- Porsche says the battery provides up to 5 megawatts of power
Once they’re too degraded to continue using in electric vehicles, the batteries still have enough usable capacity to store energy permanently. Porsche is offering a number of used Taycan battery a second life to do it.
The automaker announced Tuesday that it is using an energy storage system made up of 4,400 used Taycan battery modules to help power its factory in Leipzig, Germany. Taken from pre-production cars used in testing, the additional modules capacity up to 5 megawatts.
Energy storage system using Porsche Taycan battery modules
“We wanted to create storage capacity for the Leipzig plant to make the site even more energy efficient and increase its self-sufficiency,” Jonathan Dietrich, head of the battery storage project, said in a statement. “So it made sense to use batteries from previous Taycan models instead of recycling them.”
The battery modules are installed in the energy storage array without any technical changes, Porsche claims. They are divided into four tanks, each connected to an inverter and transformer. The system is designed to have a useful life of over 10 yearsand can replace individual battery modules as needed.
Energy storage system using Porsche Taycan battery modules
The Taycan battery modules store energy from an on-site solar array, which has a maximum capacity capacity 9.4 megawatts. Electricity can be stored for use during peak times, helping reduce stress on the power grid by maintaining more stable electricity demand. EV Virtual Power Plant could also play a role in this, using vehicles themselves as an alternative energy source and reducing the need to burn fossil fuels.
Several other automakers have experimented with different types Using EV batteries for a second life. 2015 Nissan and General Motors demonstrated energy storage systems using Leaf and Chevrolet Volt batteries, while Toyota has moved to Camry Hybrid Battery Pack to power buildings in Yellowstone National Park. However, there is also debate about whether reuse or recycle is a better choice.
