whose goal is to develop a recyclable, economical, safe and intelligent battery for light vehicles, which will allow access to a wide range of services.
The key component of this project is the 'Battery Passport' concept, which summarizes all the information for each deployed battery, enabling optimal management of both battery usage and subsequent reuse and recycling. This concept will be of paramount importance at the European level from the perspective of sustainability and battery reuse.
The compatibility of batteries, modules or cells, the main challenge of the project
In this regard, the first challenge posed by the concept of battery reuse in second-life applications is the compatibility of the batteries, modules, or cells. Modular batteries offer one of the most optimized solutions in terms of adaptability, since their modular design allows both the battery voltage and power to be configured for second-life applications.
Another crucial aspect of battery reuse is their lifespan. Therefore, before selecting and implementing used batteries in second-life applications, it is essential to assess their previous operation and current condition.
The IKERLAN technology center is the main technology partner in the project developing this disruptive battery that stores energy efficiently, sustainably, safely, and intelligently. It is a multi-technology solution that allows for optimal sizing of the necessary energy storage capacity.
Igor Villareal, head of the energy storage and management area at IKERLAN, highlights the importance of the project, which "allows us to research and transfer real solutions in the field of electric mobility, pioneering the combination of storage technologies and artificial intelligence in order to improve battery durability, reduce their environmental impact and consequently develop higher value-added and more sustainable products."
In the words of Cegasa's R&D director: "Having the opportunity to research and participate in these types of projects allows us to learn firsthand about the advances being developed in the sector and to have a holistic view of its new applications at a global level; which puts Cegasa in a privileged position."
For her part, Ixone Busturia, deputy director of NUUK mobility solutions (NMS), points out: “For NUUK it is a pleasure to work together with Cegasa in the development of new solutions that boost the mobility sector, an area to which we are committed in order to offer the best light electric mobility solutions to our customers and where we will continue to contribute to its development and competitiveness.”
The research being considered will impact processes currently underway at the company, and the results can be implemented to obtain a new product that, being modular and incorporating concepts such as Battery Passport and connectivity, will allow access to new markets.
The project developed by Cegasa, NMS and Ikerlan is included in the PERTE VEC (Electric and Connected Vehicle) presented by the Renault Group Spain (LIBRESS project), which aims to configure an industrial innovation ecosystem for the manufacture of the electric and connected vehicle in Spain.
This project - with a budget of more than 74 million euros from the companies that make up the consortium - has received the highest score among the 10 approved at the end of 2022 by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
The PERTE VEC project has involved around one hundred companies, 70% of which are SMEs belonging to different autonomous communities such as Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Galicia, Madrid, the Basque Country or Valencia.
