🔋 Old Batteries from Electric Vehicles Get New Life Powering California’s Grid

B2U Storage Solutions is a California-based startup which has saved thousands of old and used vehicle battery packs from landfills by turning them into an energy storage facility. The startup made a million dollars last year selling stored renewable energy to California's power grid. This is thanks to 1300 used battery packs from Honda and Toyota EVs.

These battery packs have been worn out over long years of powering cars. Good News Network writes that nevertheless, the batteries have continued use as a way to store excess solar and wind energy for times when the sun isn’t out and there is no wind.

In states like California, grid storage is in large demand and is a very useful destination for these types of battery packs. San Diego Times estimates that this invention could lower storage costs by 40%.

Right now, B2U’s Sierra facility has 25 megawatts of storage capacity capable of fitting any EV into their system, GNN reports. The startup is seeking Japanese investment capital in order to expand their operations further.

Millions of old and discarded battery packs will, over the next decade, be either recycled or get a second life at a facility like the B2U’s in order to prevent them from being sent to landfills.

Picture: B2U Storage Solutions