Smartville, a company repurposing EV batteries for energy storage systems, has received $2.65 million in federal and state funding to support the growth of electric vehicle battery repurposing to bolster lithium battery circularity.
$1.15 million, provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technology Office, will be used to develop a complete battery energy storage system (BESS) that utilizes second-life EV batteries to charge it with solar generation as a power input. Smartville also plans to use these second-life EV batteries to charge first-life EV batteries.
$1.5 million, provided by the California Energy Commission, will further assist in the designing and integration of the company’s large-scale Smartville 360 second-life BESS product.
This latest round of DOE funding also supports Phase II of its Small Business Innovation Research program, which encourages U.S.-based businesses to “engage in high-risk, innovative research and technology development with the potential for future commercialization.”
"Reusing EV batteries to store power, recharge new EVs, and tap into the bountiful West Coast sunshine are all viable and affordable solutions at our fingertips today," said Antoni Tong, Smartville's CEO. "The Smartville 360 sustainably powers communities, lessens our dependence on external energy sources, and will help keep the lights on during energy emergencies."
According to the Internal Energy Agency, global EV sales surpassed 10 million in 2022, and sales are only expected to dramatically rise over the next several years. This means the number of second-life EV batteries will also continue to rise, turning waste management challenges into sustainable energy opportunities.
Retired EV batteries retain most of their storage capacity, making them ideal for stationary storage and reuse before being recycled.
Through this grant, Smartville hopes to further advance technologies and processes that support EV battery reuse efforts across the country.
