BMW and UC San Diego Collaborate on Grid-Scale Storage Using Second-Life EV Batteries
BMW, Bosch, and Vattenfall have launched a grid-tied energy storage system in Germany using repurposed lithium-ion battery modules from 100 electric vehicles. The system, rated at 2 MW/2.8 MWh, supports frequency regulation and serves as part of the Battery 2nd Life development project—an initiative that explores long-term applications for aging EV batteries.
The project complements earlier collaborations between BMW and the University of California San Diego, including a 2013 microgrid pilot using retired MINI E batteries. The UC San Diego Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have partnered on related research, examining how post-vehicle batteries can support renewable energy integration, demand charge management, and EV fast-charging infrastructure.
According to NREL and CSE, secondary battery use extends battery life, increases economic value, and distributes costs between vehicle and stationary storage applications. As EV adoption rises, such reuse strategies are essential for grid resilience, affordability, and sustainability.
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