Nissan Repurposes LEAF EV Batteries For Energy Storage Project At U.S. Headquarters

Nissan has launched an innovative Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS) project that gives the batteries of Nissan LEAF electric vehicles (EVs) a second life at its Americas Headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee. 

As a result, this repurposes them to help power the company’s office building and contribute to Nissan’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Project Overview

According to Nissan, the BESS project involves the installation of two second-life battery systems, utilizing batteries from approximately 50-60 Nissan LEAF vehicles. These systems are designed to store excess energy during off-peak hours and discharge it during periods of high demand, effectively implementing an “energy peak shaving” strategy.

Key features of the project include:

• Two shipping container-like housings for the battery systems
• One system using LEAF 40kWh packs with a 500 kilowatt-hour (kWh) capacity
• Another system using LEAF modules with a 1 megawatt-hour energy capacity
• Expected reduction of 3.7 tons in annual CO2 emissions

Innovative Approach to Sustainability

Chris Goddard, regional energy and environmental manager at Nissan, explains the project’s unique aspect: “What sets the Nissan project apart is the use of second-life battery packs and modules – rather than brand-new ones – that each havedifferent states of health (SOH).” This approach not only extends the life of EV batteries but also presents a challenge in balancing the performance of batteries with varying conditions and capacities.

David S. Johnson, director of Sustainable Transformation and Mobility at Nissan Americas, highlights the project’s timing: “In winter, that’s first thing in the morning when employees arrive and the building’s electric heating is in high demand. In summer, it’s when the sun is at its hottest and the air conditioning is working hardest.”

Collaborative Effort and Implications

The BESS project is a collaborative effort, managed in partnership with Middle Tennessee Electric, 7 States Power Corp., and the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute. It serves as a testing ground for several key areas:

• Optimizing grid performance through EV battery reuse
• Investigating Demand Response (DR) program scenarios
• Studying the cohesive operation of batteries with different conditions and capacities

Moreover, the project will be extensively studied for at least a year, compiling valuable data that could inform future sustainability initiatives.

Alignment with Nissan’s Goals

This initiative aligns perfectly with Nissan’s broader sustainability goals, demonstrating the company’s commitment to:

• Maximizing the use of repurposed and recycled materials
• Minimizing waste generation
• Reducing reliance on CO2-intensive energy sources
• Contributing to the company’s 2050 carbon neutrality target

Market Impact and Future Outlook

The timing of this project coincides with a surge in Nissan LEAF sales, which saw a remarkable 187.5% year-over-year increase for Q3 2024, with 4,514 units sold. This growth in EV adoption underscores the importance of developing sustainable solutions for end-of-life EV batteries.

“This project is about more than just technology — it’s about rethinking how we use resources to build a more sustainable future,” Goddard emphasized. “We’re not just powering a building, we’re powering a vision of what’s possible.”

As the automotive industry continues its shift towards electrification, Nissan’s BESS project serves as a pioneering example of how manufacturers can address the full lifecycle of EVs, from production to end-of-life battery management. 

Read More: Nissan LEAF Arrives With Enhanced Bidirectional Charging With Fermata Energy FE-20 Charger

The success of this initiative could pave the way for similar projects across the industry, potentially revolutionizing how we think about energy storage and sustainability in corporate environments.

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