Nissan and Enel jointly launched the Second Life project. The project aims to reuse batteries used by Nissan's electric vehicles for a traditional power plant in Melilla, Spain, to improve grid stability and meet the needs of an independent network. The power plant is operated by Enel's Spanish subsidiary, Endesa.
A pioneering initiative in Europe, the project is based on circular economy principles and has been selected as a "member programme" by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
As part of the collaboration, Nissan provides EV batteries and Loccioni system integrators to ensure proper integration of the required batteries during cycling. When EV batteries reach the end of their useful life, they are recycled and assembled in large stationary storage systems.
At Endesa's plant in Melilla, the system is integrated with related facilities to avoid power outages during power overloads. This will help improve grid reliability and provide continuous power service to local residents. The backup generator consists of 48 old Nissan LEAF batteries and 30 new batteries.
The Melilla region has about 90,000 inhabitants and is served by the local electricity grid. The grid is powered by the plant in Endesa and is separate from the national distribution grid.
The storage facility has a power of 4 MW, and if the power plant is disconnected from the system, it can generate up to 1.7 MWh, which can inject energy into Melilla's grid for 15 minutes, enough to last until the system is reset and power is restarted supply.
