Post-vehicle-application lithium-ion battery remanufacturing, repurposing and recycling capacity: Modeling and analysis
Abstract: A mathematical model
is used to help determine the manufacturing capacity needed to support
post-vehicle-application remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling of
lithium-ion batteries over time.
Simulation is used in solving the model to estimate capacity in
kWh. Lithium-ion batteries that are
commonly used in the electrification of vehicles cannot be simply discarded
post-vehicle-application due to the materials of which they are composed. Eventually, each will fail to hold a charge
and will need to be recycled.
Remanufacturing, allowing a battery to return to a vehicle application,
and repurposing, transforming a battery for use in a non-vehicle application,
postpone recycling and increase value.
The mathematical model and its solution using simulation test the
hypothesis that the capacity needed for remanufacturing, repurposing, and
recycling as well as new battery production is a function of a single
parameter: the percent of
post-vehicle-application batteries that are remanufactured.
Design/methodology/approach: Equations in the mathematical model
represent the capacity needed for remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling
as well as new battery production as dependent variables. Independent variables are exogenous
quantities as such as the demand for electrified vehicles of all types,
physical properties of batteries such as their application life distribution
including the time to recycling, and a single decision variable: the percent of post-vehicle-application
batteries that are remanufactured.
Values of the dependent variables over time are estimated by simulation
for values of the percent of post-vehicle-application batteries ranging from 0%
to 85% in steps of 5%.
Findings and Originality/value: The simulation results support important
insights for investment in capacity for remanufacturing, repurposing, and
recycling of post-vehicle-application batteries as well as new batteries. The capacity needed for recycling is
relatively constant regardless of the percent of post-vehicle-application
batteries that are remanufactured. The
sum of the capacity for remanufacturing and recycling is relatively constant as
well. The need for new battery
production capacity is reduced significantly (> 10%) for remanufacturing
percentages of 55% and above.
Research limitations/implications: There is a high degree of uncertainty
associated with any forecast concerning post-vehicle-application lithium-ion
batteries due to a lack of experience with their remanufacturing, repurposing,
and recycling.
Practical implications: Electrification of vehicles appears to be the
only technically feasible approach to meeting government regulations concerning
mileage and emissions (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions 2013). The planning in the present for the remanufacturing,
repurposing, and recycling of the lithium-ion batteries used in electrification
of vehicles is necessary. Capacity
estimation is one important component of such planning.
Social implications: The electrification of vehicles versus the use of
fossil fuels is consistent with the guiding principles of sustainability in
helping to meet current needs without compromising the needs and resources of
future generations. Reusing entire
lithium-ion batteries or recycling the materials of which they are composed
further reinforces the sustainability of vehicle electrification.
Originality/value: Estimates of recycling capacity needed in 2030, about
2.69M kWh, change little with the percent of post-vehicle-application batteries
that are remanufactured. The need for
significant recycling capacity appears between 2022 and 2024, increasing
steadily thereafter. Similarly, the sum
of remanufacturing and repurposing capacity is relatively constant indicating
the need for flexible facilities that can do either task. In addition by 2030, up to approximately 25%
of new battery production could be replaced by remanufactured batteries.
Author: Charles Robert
Standridge, Md Mehedi Hasan
Journal Code: jptindustrigg150068
