Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Decommissioning Solutions
Battery storage technology is a necessary and crucial enabler of the renewable energy transition. They have a key role to play not only in decarbonizing transport, but also in acting as the primary storage solution for renewable microgrids, unstable utilities, and more. In the United States, battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity more than tripled in 2021 as over 100 utility scale projects were brought online (EIA) and Wood Mackenzie estimates that we are on track to be a 27GW annual storage market by 2031. As more of these battery systems are installed year after year, the need for sustainable recycling, repurposing, and decommissioning solutions for this technology will become vital.
To date, the eV industry has been the catalyst for accelerating both battery technology and recycling the impending waste. Over the last few years, new companies are innovating ways to recycle battery components and re-introduce the much-needed base elements back into the supply chain. Additionally, there are companies who are creatively repurposing used eV batteries with substantial life remaining into BESS solutions that continue to provide storage capacity for years before they are recycled at their true end-of-life.
The same is true for larger scale BESS projects. Commercial and utility scale storage solutions have matured within the last few years, and we are already seeing early adopters have a need for decommissioning and removal. As with the eV industry, there are multiple solutions for aging or end-of-life battery energy storage systems. Depending on the battery chemistry, age, and condition, these may be repurposed or recycled just as with solar PV modules. Furthermore, due to the hazardous nature of these batteries, proper care is necessary when disassembling and transporting the material safely and per federal/state regulations. Decom Solar can help evaluate your specific BESS decommissioning needs and provide the optimal turnkey solution that fits your project. Learn more about Decom Solar services.