VDL Bus & Coach and energy company RWE are giving ion lithium batteries from VDL electric buses a second life in an energy storage system. RWE is deploying the system to stabilise the electricity grid and relieve the grid for better balancing supply and demand.
In the Anubis project, the parties will initially deploy batteries from 43 VDL electric buses. Linking these batteries together creates a 7.5 MW battery. In the coming years, the parties intend to deploy more batteries from buses in this way.
Balance in the electricity grid
Creating more balance in the electricity grid is of great importance. Decentralised generation of sustainable energy creates imbalance in the grid. This is because on a sunny and windy day, for example, the output of solar panels and wind turbines is significantly higher than on a cloudy and windless day. Also, solar panels only produce solar energy during the day.
The balance between supply and demand will be compromised as a result, network operators have long warned. To monitor stability, grid operators are increasingly forced to sell no to companies wanting a connection to the grid. Earlier this year, grid operator Enexis warned that the electricity grid in Drenthe is threatening to become overcrowded. In three places, the maximum capacity has been reached, threatening to disconnect large consumers. Last year, grid manager Liander announced it was operating a waiting list for new electricity connections. Hundreds of companies are on this waiting list.
Increase stability
RWE and VDL's project should help improve the balance on the electricity grid, thereby increasing stability. Energy storage systems play an important role here, allowing excess energy to be stored at times when energy production is high. This energy can then be deployed at times when energy production is low, for instance due to cloudy weather.
At the same time, demand for electric buses in the Netherlands and surrounding countries is also increasing. If after 2030 all buses and an increasing number of cars and trucks in the Netherlands drive electric, over 150,000 tonnes of batteries will reach the end of their first life cycle every year, according to RWE and VDL.
Increase battery life
Currently, this means labelling batteries as waste. Batteries therefore often disappear to recycling companies abroad. Putting the used batteries into energy storage systems increases their lifespan. At the same time, this reduces the use of raw materials such as rare earths.
Roger Miesen, CEO RWE Generation SE: "RWE is leading the way in the development of innovative energy storage solutions. Batteries are great for balancing electricity supply and demand, helping to stabilise the grid. With Anubis, we will continue to use second-life batteries as a sustainable alternative to new batteries. This is an opportunity to provide high-quality storage solutions quickly, efficiently and sustainably. With this project, we are gaining experience that will help us develop future battery projects."
Paul van Vuuren, CEO VDL Bus & Coach, adds: "In this project, we are initially using the batteries from 43 VDL electric buses that have been operating in Eindhoven since 2016. These vehicles are currently getting a new and larger battery pack, but the used batteries still have enough capacity to be used in a storage facility. In Europe, we are a forerunner in electric public transport. Offering a sustainable circular solution for our batteries fits into our strategy. However, its application still requires a lot of new knowledge and development. Together with RWE, we will therefore do a lot of testing and collect data in this project, so that we can contribute even more to making our society more sustainable."
Operational in 2023
The planned storage facility in Moerdijk should be operational by 2023. Besides the project in Moerdijk, RWE is also working on battery projects in Germany, Belgium, the UK and the US. Besides the project in Moerdijk, RWE is also pursuing battery projects in other places in the Netherlands. For example, RWE included in its bid for the tender for the Hollandse Kust West offshore wind farm a proposal to build the largest battery in the northern Netherlands.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Pixabay / Steppinstars
