A recent study led by Musa Terkes from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul, Türkiye, has highlighted the potential of second-life batteries (SLBs) in enhancing community energy self-consumption. Published in the journal ‘IEEE Access’, the research addresses the growing need for effective energy storage systems (ESS) as the deployment of distributed renewable energy systems (RES) accelerates.
Second-life batteries, which are repurposed from their initial applications, present a promising solution to environmental concerns and the high costs associated with new battery production. However, integrating these storage systems into the energy market poses its own set of challenges, including optimal control strategies and maintaining power quality.
Terkes and his team explored various economic strategies and incentive mechanisms that could facilitate the integration of SLBs. Their findings suggest that a combination of investment subsidies and carbon taxes can significantly enhance the feasibility of these systems for prosumers—individuals or entities that both produce and consume energy. The study indicates that a 20% investment subsidy could eliminate the high purchase price of SLBs, making them more accessible.
“Adopting a carbon tax of $1 per ton could reduce carbon emissions by up to 1.9 tons per year,” Terkes noted. Additionally, the research found that a 1% total investment subsidy could lead to an increase in photovoltaic (PV) panel capacity by 11.28 kW, underscoring the financial and environmental benefits of these incentives.
The study also emphasizes the importance of net metering, which allows prosumers to maximize their benefits when the total investment and carbon tax are managed effectively. In Türkiye, the optimal conditions were identified as a 20% investment subsidy and a carbon tax of $40 per ton.
This research not only provides valuable insights for policymakers but also opens up commercial opportunities within the energy sector. Investors and prosumers are encouraged to consider shared energy storage systems that leverage these hybrid incentive mechanisms. By doing so, they can contribute to a more sustainable energy landscape while also benefiting financially.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, the strategic integration of second-life batteries could play a crucial role in promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing carbon footprints, making the findings of Terkes and his team particularly timely and relevant.
