- Nissan Energy has assisted Aeroporti di Roma Fiumicino with a new second-life battery storage system composing of repurposed Nissan Leaf batteries, as the airport works towards its own net-zero goals.
- Using 84 end-of-life Nissan Leaf EV batteries, the reconditioned batteries will be used to supply 2.1MWh worth of energy storage to Enel’s large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the airport.
- Combined with an on-site solar farm, the complete system is expected to generate 31GWh worth of renewable energy annually.
End-of-life EV batteries find renewable second purpose as battery energy storage
In total, the BESS has a total electricity capacity of 10MWh, with 2.1MWh of those coming from repurposed Nissan Leaf batteries. Those EV batteries were supplied to system integrator Loccioni, who were responsible for integrating them into the Enel Energy Storage System.
The reused batteries consisted of Gen 3 30kWh and Gen 4 40kWh battery units from Nissan Leaf models, coming from both high-mileage vehicles and warranty returns. These have been requalified to meet safety and performance standards, and Nissan believes these batteries still have another six to seven years of life left in them in this airport application, even in daily use.
Nissan has already carried out similarly succesfull battery storage projects using second-life EV batteries, such as the Melilla energy storage system project in Spain. These projects are helping to prove the effectiveness of reusing EV batteries for energy storage purposes, which could be applied to both large-scale commercial systems and residential systems.
Soufiane El Khomri, Nissan Energy Director for AMIEO Region, commented:
“This project not only demonstrates the long-term viability of repurposed EV batteries in demanding environments, but underscores Nissan’s commitment to sustainable end-of-life battery management.
Our team is involved in the technical integration of second-life batteries into the ESS, the simulation of battery lifespan, and providing warranties for their performance in the new system. Just as importantly, once the batteries reach the end of their useful life on this project, we take full responsibility for their recycling.
We are turning potential waste into valuable energy assets. Our re-use strategy not only supports large-scale industrial projects such as Aeorporti di Roma’s Fiumicino Airport, but also shows potential for use in the home such as backup during power cuts.
As we continue to scale battery reuse and recycling, we are advancing our broader mission toward a cleaner, more energy-efficient future.”
