Plans to use former electric bus batteries to create a grid-scale energy storage solution have been hatched by Connected Energy and Forsee Power.

Alex Charr of Connected Energy with the Forsee Power batteries

The two companies have signed a partnership agreement to co-develop a scalable second-life battery energy storage solution using the batteries.

The modular solution will combine Connected Energy’s second-life technology with Forsee Power’s ZEN 35 and ZEN 42 battery packs, which are deployed in about 1,500 electric buses in Europe. Additionally, the agreement includes the development of an operating model to facilitate future large-scale commercial deployment.

Second-life EV batteries can play a crucial role in addressing growing global energy demands, delivering environmental and commercial benefits.

The latest agreement builds on the existing collaboration between the partners, which are committed to scaling these innovations to meet the global demand for energy storage. The first 2.5MWh system will be operational in the UK in the final quarter of 2025.  Following this first project, it is anticipated that further projects, each typically more than 25MWh, will follow in the UK and France.

Matthew Lumsden, CEO of Connected Energy, said: “This agreement with Forsee Power represents a significant step forward in delivering a new second life economy for EV batteries. The availability of second-life batteries is increasing rapidly and the best way to realise the value in them is through partnerships that span the value chain. By combining our expertise, we can deliver energy storage technology that delivers greater environmental and commercial benefits as the flow of batteries increases.”

Christophe Gurtner, chairman and CEO of Forsee Power, added: “We are glad to extend our partnership with Connected Energy initiated in 2021, to develop a grid-scale energy storage system utilising battery packs from electric buses that have completed their first life.

“Our company’s vision is to develop a sustainable battery ecosystem to maximise the value of our batteries throughout their lifetime and contribute to mitigation of climate change. Forsee Power, the leader of battery systems for buses outside of China, has equipped more than 4,200 buses. Thus, we have and will have access to a significant number of batteries once they complete their first life. As a consequence, the potential is huge.”