Redwood Materials, a battery recycling company, is working with Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaii, on recycling a 4.6 MWh first generation battery storage system at Anahola substation.

This system, commissioned in 2015, is a part of Anahola solar project, consisting of a 12 MW solar array, substation, and an energy storage component, namely the battery in question. The entire system was decommissioned by Redwood last week, and they are planning to recycle it in their facility located in Nevada. The company expects that the successfull decommissioning of this project, among others, should serve as an industry model for the future.

Reusing and recycling batteries gains more and more importance thanks to the growth of electric vehicle transportation. The U.S. Department of Energy under Biden administration also gives priority to battery recycling, showcased by the announcement of over USD 192 in funding for recycling batteries from consumer products.

Source: utilitydive.com