End-Of-Life Services

Planning and Executing a Decommissioning Project

Recycle Battery Image

Meeting the Challenges of Asset Retirement

Battery asset retirement works like a reverse supply chain, and getting it right is very challenging, due to the myriad of regulations governing waste transport and disposal. When the time comes for industrial battery recycling or reuse, many decisions must be made.

Typically, end-of-life battery management tasks are executed by different parties, resulting in a disorganized and interrupted workflow. This process and following the required regulations often leave battery asset owners confused about the best solution for end-of-life industrial batteries. Regardless of the type of battery used in your energy storage system or electric car fleet, all industrial batteries eventually reach their end-of-life, and decisions must be made regarding battery recycling or repurposing.

In addition to having in-depth knowledge and extensive experience managing reuse and recycling multiple battery chemistries and form factors, Renewance is a specialist in decommissioning full Battery Energy Storage systems, including fire damaged systems. We have executed a wide variety of BESS decommissioning projects and battery recycling and reuse projects, including damaged batteries and cross-border shipments.

Decommissioning Is a Phased Process

Energy Storage System (ESS) decommissioning projects involve several phases, each of which must be tightly planned and executed. As a result of providing turnkey energy storage system decommissioning services to many of the world’s largest energy storage companies, Renewance has the experience and expertise to handle your industrial battery end-of-life activities.

While each project has its idiosyncrasies, a typical project contains multiple phases:

Pre-Decommissioning. In this planning phase, activities include:

  • Identifying qualified suppliers
  • Complying with local, state, and federal waste-handling requirements
  • Obtaining required permits and certifications
  • Conducting required training
  • Disconnecting equipment from electrical sources
  • Recovering refrigerant from equipment

Decommissioning and Removal. Typical activities during this phase include:

  • Determining if batteries can be reused or need to be recycled
  • Reducing the system’s state of charge (SoC) as low as reasonably achievable
  • Shutting down and disconnecting the system
  • Deciding whether containers can be transported or if batteries will be removed on-site
  • Removing loose components or obstructions
  • Packaging of batteries
  • Removal and transport of containers

Recycling or Reuse and Post Cleanup. This phase generally includes:

  • Dismantling equipment
  • Reusing or recycling batteries
  • Attempting to reuse all other equipment, such as a power conversion system
  • Recovering scrap metal content
  • Cleaning up the site after the removal
View All Services

Reverse Supply Chain Optimization

Our network of logistics and recycling partners enables Renewance to unburden you from the complex and onerous permitting, logistics, recycling, and record retention project management activities.

We always provide our customers with the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly options so that they can make an informed decision. We work with many large energy storage companies, which leads to better pricing and more extensive options for our customers.

Further, our ability to virtually aggregate batteries through our RenewanceConnect™ platform results in additional purchasing power. The end-of-life management module is a one-stop-shop solution for cost-competitive, eco-friendly, and compliant decommissioning, collection, and reuse or recycling services from trusted service providers.

Discover More With Renewance
Battery being taken apart