Hyundai and Wartsila to turn used EV battery packs into energy storage solutions

Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has selected Finland-based technology company Wartsila for a technology and commercial partnership that is designed to utilize second-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries for the growing energy storage market. The global partnership aims to combine HMG’s expansion in electric vehicles with Wartsila’s growing energy business across 177 countries, which includes 67 GW of installed power plants and advanced energy storage technologies and software created through its acquisition of Greensmith Energy.

Part of Wartsila, US-based Greensmith Energy confirms over 70 grid-scale systems across nine countries and offers an industry-leading energy software platform called GEMS, which is now in its fifth generation. The collaboration is targetted for both utility-scale and commercial applications suitable for second-life EV batteries.

Dr Youngcho Chi, executive vice president of strategy & technology division and chief innovation officer of Hyundai Motor Group said, “By repurposing resource-intensive products like EV batteries, we eliminate disposal costs and extend the value of the R&D investment that goes into manufacturing the technology. HMG is strengthening its leadership in clean technology and sustainability by participating in the new energy business.”

L-R: Javier Cavada, President, Wartsila Energy solutions, Dr Youngcho Chi, CIO, Hyundai Motor Group, John Jung, President & CEO, Greensmith Energy

Javier Cavada, President of Wartsila Energy solutions said, “Our strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Group represents the life-cycle vision Wartsila strives to deliver to our customers and partners around the world. Incorporating second-life-EV batteries into our energy and integration business underscores our deep commitment to building sustainable societies with smart technologies.”

Hyundai Motor Group is developing a 1MWh-level ESS that utilises Hyundai Ioniq Electric’s and Kia Soul EV’s second-life battery by using its proprietary technology and has implemented a demonstration project in Hyundai Steel’s factory.