Nissan's LEAF batteries could benefit renewables industry

Nissan believes reused batteries will allow excess power from renewable sources such as solar and wind generation to be stored and then released at peak times, reducing the need for conventional power stations to be kept on standby.

In a statement, the company said a fully charged battery in a LEAF holds enough energy to power a three-bedroom home for around three days (8kW/day). It has potential to store electricity generated by solar and then release it when the sun isn’t shining, or to provide the ability to use wind power even when there is no wind.

‘The Nissan LEAF has only just been launched, but we have to think now about how we will dispose of the car when it comes to the end of its life,’ said Jerry Hardcastle, vice-president of vehicle design and development at Nissan Technical Centre Europe. ‘Although the LEAF is designed to last as long as any conventional car, some batteries will become available from accident-damaged cars sooner and we must manage the use of the parts now.’