Aim & Objectives

 

Steering away from linear to a circular and integrated business model for 2nd life PV panels and EV batteries

Building on industrial foresights and knowledge previously generated within other EU-funded projects, SOLMATE anticipates the waste management challenges raised by increasing number of EoL EV batteries and decommissioned PV panels. The project introduces a circular approach through two core actions:

  1. Extending the lifetime of ‘retired’ PV panels and EV batteries
  2. Resource recovery when repurposing is not available
Steering away from linear to a circular and integrated business model for 2nd life PV panels and EV batteries
Steering away from linear to a circular and integrated business model for 2nd life PV panels and EV batteries

Stage methodology

Stage 1

Development of SOLMATE technologies

Stage 2

Testing and validation of technological developments

Stage 3

Demonstration of low-cost decentralised energy systems

Objectives breakdown

  • Achieve 50% cost decrease compared with current used PV panels due to the integration of automatised dismantling solutions. SOLMATE used PV panels will be certified and guaranteed for 10+ years.
  • 3-4 times cheaper batteries dismantled and repurposed from EoL EV and guaranteed for stationary energy storage.

  • Develop rapid analytical tools based on digital tools to identify low-performing PV assets, eligible for dismantling, using only power output data at the inverter.
  • Develop fast inspection and certifications methodologies based on aging tests and various failure modes, facilitating rapid protocols for inspections and certifications.
  • Use a drone with high definition embedded RGB/camera and thermal sensors and communication tools to acquired images that will be treated with AI algorithms for the sorting of PV panels according to their performances and certification potential based on the fast protocols for inspections and certifications.
  • Develop an autonomous dismantling robot suitable for PV farms that provides panels dismantling at a 80% cheaper cost and 75% faster than PV panels dismantling by humans.

  • Reduce the costs of EV batteries testing based on new testing methodology and revised repurposing procedures.
  • Develop a low-cost test protocol for different kind of battery chemistries and State of Health (SoH), and design energy management systems for repurposed battery energy storage system (BESS) to anticipate warranty policy for 10+ years.

  • Enhance glass valorisation by integrating innovative technologies within the robotic inspection tool, enabling precise measurements of impurities before dismantling and automatised sorting of EoL PV panels based on glass type. The high-purity glass recovered will be explored for high value-added applications (e.g., glass and ceramic industry.)

  • Li recovery as high purity LiCO3, used to manufacture battery cathodes
  • Ni recovery in the form of mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), which has commercial value
  • Graphite recovery with 94-97% purity, in line with the battery production requirements

Read more on CROCODILE process