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Life Cycle Assessment of a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Electric Vehicle Battery in Second Life Application Scenarios

Author

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  • Christos S. Ioakimidis

    (European Research Area Chair (*Holder) ‘Net-Zero Energy Efficiency on City Districts, NZED’ Unit, Research Institute for Energy, University of Mons, Rue de l’Epargne, 56, 7000 Mons, Belgium)

  • Alberto Murillo-Marrodán

    (Department of Mechanics, Design and Industrial Management, University of Deusto, Avda Universidades 24, 48007 Bilbao, Spain)

  • Ali Bagheri

    (European Research Area Chair (*Holder) ‘Net-Zero Energy Efficiency on City Districts, NZED’ Unit, Research Institute for Energy, University of Mons, Rue de l’Epargne, 56, 7000 Mons, Belgium)

  • Dimitrios Thomas

    (European Research Area Chair (*Holder) ‘Net-Zero Energy Efficiency on City Districts, NZED’ Unit, Research Institute for Energy, University of Mons, Rue de l’Epargne, 56, 7000 Mons, Belgium)

  • Konstantinos N. Genikomsakis

    (European Research Area Chair (*Holder) ‘Net-Zero Energy Efficiency on City Districts, NZED’ Unit, Research Institute for Energy, University of Mons, Rue de l’Epargne, 56, 7000 Mons, Belgium)

Abstract

This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) study that examines a number of scenarios that complement the primary use phase of electric vehicle (EV) batteries with a secondary application in smart buildings in Spain, as a means of extending their useful life under less demanding conditions, when they no longer meet the requirements for automotive purposes. Specifically, it considers a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery to analyze four second life application scenarios by combining the following cases: (i) either reuse of the EV battery or manufacturing of a new battery as energy storage unit in the building; and (ii) either use of the Spanish electricity mix or energy supply by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Based on the Eco-indicator 99 and IPCC 2007 GWP 20a methods, the evaluation of the scenario results shows that there is significant environmental benefit from reusing the existing EV battery in the secondary application instead of manufacturing a new battery to be used for the same purpose and time frame. Moreover, the findings of this work exemplify the dependence of the results on the energy source in the smart building application, and thus highlight the importance of PVs on the reduction of the environmental impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Christos S. Ioakimidis & Alberto Murillo-Marrodán & Ali Bagheri & Dimitrios Thomas & Konstantinos N. Genikomsakis, 2019. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Electric Vehicle Battery in Second Life Application Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2527-:d:227535
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    14. Zhu, He & Hu, Jiayao & Yang, Ying, 2025. "Towards a circular supply chain for retired electric vehicle batteries: A systematic literature review," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
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    17. Picatoste, Aitor & Justel, Daniel & Mendoza, Joan Manuel F., 2022. "Circularity and life cycle environmental impact assessment of batteries for electric vehicles: Industrial challenges, best practices and research guidelines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
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