JLR has partnered with energy storage start-up, Allye Energy, to create a novel Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that uses second-life batteries from Ranger Rover PHEVs. Allye itself is a DeepTech start-up developing distributed energy storage at the grid edge, putting batteries at the final step.
A single Allye Max BESS holds seven second-life Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEV battery packs which, themselves, are removed from the vehicles and slotted into customized racks. Each BESS can store 270 kWh of energy at full capacity, which JLR says is enough to power the average UK household for around a month.
The BESS can charge up to nine Range Rover PHEVs at once, and can be charged by plugging it into any CCS-capable Vehicle Charger using the same input as JLR’s existing PHEV and BEV product portfolio. In addition, multi-input connectivity enabled through power lock connections allow the system to be connected to renewable power at fixed or off-grid sites. JLR confirmed that its engineering team will be the first to utilize the new BESS, providing zero emissions power during testing of the new Range Rover Electric, which JLR is due to launch later this year.
One example of how the BESS is being used practically in the development of the Range Rover Electric is through the Engineering team’s prolonged endurance testing at remote off-road sites, where only low power connections are available that would only enable a slow charge. JLR’s engineers can top up the BESS from a low power supply during testing and then transfer its power to the Range Rover Electric through fast charging. Working in this way allows testing to be completed in a much quicker time frame than would normally be possible.
Weighing less than 3.5 tonnes, the portability of JLR’s BESS allows it to be transported in order to provide energy storage for retailers or JLR sites. This would help JLR’s retailer network better leverage renewable energy and act as energy buffers to support fast charging where the local grid connection may be restricted.
