Nissan Leaf batteries get second life powering Rome airport
Old Nissan Leafs are helping power Italy’s busiest airport as part of a new project to extend the usefulness of EVs that have reached the end of the road.
The partnership between Nissan and Aeroporti di Roma’s (ADR) Fiumicino Airport, has seen 84 reconditioned Leaf batteries turned into large-scale energy storage to help power the airport and support its net-zero goals.
In total they contribute 2.1MWh of storage capacity to a wider 10MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Italy’s largest international transport hub. The storage system is part of the EU-backed Pioneer initiative which marries the BESS with a massive 55,000-panel solar farm. When fully operational, it is expected to generate 31GWh per year to supply power to the airport terminals.
The batteries are a mixture of 30kWh Gen3 and 40kWh Gen4 batteries from the last generation of the all-electric hatchback. They have been taken from high-mileage vehicles or warranty returns and have been checked and refurbished to meet strict safety and performance standards. Nissan estimates that with daily use in their new roles, the second-hand units should last for up to seven years.
Soufiane El Khomri, Nissan’s energy director for Europe, said: “This project not only demonstrates the long-term viability of repurposed EV batteries in demanding environments, but underscores Nissan’s commitment to sustainable end-of-life battery management.
“Our team is involved in the technical integration of second-life batteries into the ESS, the simulation of battery lifespan, and providing warranties for their performance in the new system. Just as importantly, once the batteries reach the end of their useful life on this project, we take full responsibility for their recycling.”
The project in Rome is the latest tie-up between Nissan, control system specialist Loccioni and energy provider, Enel, who have also collaborated on the Melilla ESS in Spain and the Nomadic Lab ESS in Paris.
El Khomri added that as well as supporting large-scale projects such as the airport, it was showing that second-life EV batteries could be used in domestic settings.
The project is part of wider efforts to find additional uses for EV batteries even after the vehicles have been decommissioned rather than scrapping or recycling. Most modern batteries are expected to remain suitable for on-road use for more than 20 years. “Second life” projects such as this then have potential to reuse them in less intensive applications for years after they cease to be suitable for driving.
