{"id":2167380,"date":"2026-09-28T05:02:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T02:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2167380"},"modified":"2026-09-28T05:02:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T02:02:27","slug":"a-gold-mine-how-old-ev-batteries-could-help-prevent-europe-from-wasting-solar-and-wind-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2167380","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A gold mine\u2019: How old EV batteries could help prevent Europe from wasting solar and wind energy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/79\/00\/1200x675_cmsv2_67f2150a-de50-57bf-8308-016dabc65737-9927900.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2929190-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929190\" data-cid=\"9930290\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929190-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/02\/90\/189x106_cmsv2_651c3f2b-3d1c-5cd7-96a7-98d9b745b360-9930290.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Serbian President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 before signing his resignation in order to run for prime minister in Belgrade, 27 September, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Serbia&#8217;s president resigns to run for prime minister in snap vote\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929060-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2929060\" data-cid=\"9929648\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929060-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/96\/48\/189x106_cmsv2_ed2d8845-fae0-5aee-b940-9b5bcc3c0fc7-9929648.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Japan was just named the number one country for tourism and travel\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Revealed: The top 10 countries for travel and tourism in 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928005-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2928005\" data-cid=\"9924685\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928005-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_b08f6e7c-53c6-5038-9c0c-2e52e0c8b94f-9924685.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Europe in Motion\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe in Motion<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Is Europe succeeding at closing the gender gap between men and women?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929145-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2929145\" data-cid=\"9930004\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929145-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/00\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_9ecec385-83d6-5bba-a997-039b8a6537a3-9930004.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers guard a road leading to RAF Fairford, 28 September, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UK police probe Iran link to suspected bomb plot at RAF base\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929190-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929190\" data-cid=\"9930290\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929190-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/02\/90\/189x106_cmsv2_651c3f2b-3d1c-5cd7-96a7-98d9b745b360-9930290.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Serbian President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107 before signing his resignation in order to run for prime minister in Belgrade, 27 September, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Serbia&#8217;s president resigns to run for prime minister in snap vote\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929060-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2929060\" data-cid=\"9929648\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929060-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/96\/48\/189x106_cmsv2_ed2d8845-fae0-5aee-b940-9b5bcc3c0fc7-9929648.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Japan was just named the number one country for tourism and travel\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Revealed: The top 10 countries for travel and tourism in 2026\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928005-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2928005\" data-cid=\"9924685\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928005-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/46\/85\/189x106_cmsv2_b08f6e7c-53c6-5038-9c0c-2e52e0c8b94f-9924685.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Europe in Motion\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe in Motion<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Is Europe succeeding at closing the gender gap between men and women?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2929145-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2929145\" data-cid=\"9930004\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2929145-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/00\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_9ecec385-83d6-5bba-a997-039b8a6537a3-9930004.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers guard a road leading to RAF Fairford, 28 September, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    UK police probe Iran link to suspected bomb plot at RAF base\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Earth<\/p>\n<p>                          Ecotech<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            \u2018A gold mine\u2019: How old EV batteries could help prevent Europe from wasting solar and wind energy<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/79\/00\/1536x864_cmsv2_67f2150a-de50-57bf-8308-016dabc65737-9927900.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A BYD electric vehicle charges at a dealership in Camacari, Bahia state, Brazil, Friday, March 7, 2025. \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A BYD electric vehicle charges at a dealership in Camacari, Bahia state, Brazil, Friday, March 7, 2025.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspLiam Gilliver\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1790571747\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-28 07:02:27 +02:00\">28\/09\/2026 &#8211; 7:02 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div 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height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Repurposing retired EV batteries could lower Europeans\u2019 energy bills and prevent wind and solar farms from being switched off.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--earth js-article-content\">\n<p>Retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries could transform Europe\u2019s outdated energy grid \u2013 preventing billions of euros wasted on electricity annually.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>While the renewables boom helped the EU save \u20ac51 billion last year by lowering oil and gas imports, the continent&#8217;s infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the clean energy transition. <\/p>\n<p>According to a 2026 report by consulting group AFRY, commissioned by non-profit Beyond Fossil Fuels, 375 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy projects and 455 GW of battery storage projects are currently trapped in distribution grid queues across the continent. <\/p>\n<p>That leaves more than \u20ac100 billion of renewables effectively waiting to connect to the grid, delaying access to solar panels and heat pumps for Europeans grappling with skyrocketing energy bills. But there\u2019s a solution waiting in what many think of as waste.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Europe\u2019s energy grid is struggling<\/h2>\n<p>Europe\u2019s energy grid was originally built around coal, and later gas, which tends to operate from centrally located plants. <\/p>\n<p>However, green energy projects such as wind and solar farms tend to be located in remote areas \u2013 including offshore \u2013 making it harder to transport the electricity being produced to residential homes and businesses.<\/p>\n<p>Renewables such as solar and wind also rely on certain weather conditions to generate electricity rather than responding directly to demand. <\/p>\n<p>When supply outstrips demand, as it often does, electricity prices can fall below zero and operators may be forced to turn off wind and solar farms or put them on a reduced output \u2013 a practice known as curtailment. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Inside Europe\u2019s EV boom: Are we prepared for more than a million batteries to reach end-of-life?<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Make your EV battery last longer with these expert charging tips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>In 2024, 10 TWh of renewable energy was curtailed in the EU alone \u2013 enough to power three million homes for an entire year. This represents a whopping \u20ac4.3 billion in wasted electricity.<\/p>\n<p>While battery energy storage systems (BESS) have been identified as a key factor in reducing curtailment across Europe, investment is far from where it needs to be. Experts say that retired EVs could easily fill the gap.<\/p>\n<h2>Could retired EVs save Europe\u2019s power grid?<\/h2>\n<p>Just because an EV battery is second-hand doesn\u2019t mean it is of no use.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, most EV batteries are retired with as much as 70 to 80 per cent of their original capacity remaining. While this is not enough to meet automotive requirements, it could help provide power for homes, businesses or even smaller vehicles. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cOld EV batteries really are a gold mine,\u201d Adrian Hiel, director of Electrification Alliance, tells Euronews Earth. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven if their performance has degraded to the point that they aren\u2019t great for a car anymore they can easily have a second life, measured in decades, as storage for the grid, for businesses or domestically.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Currently, Europe is reliant on getting batteries from EVs that are more than 10 years old, or from vehicles that have been in accidents. <\/p>\n<p>The problem with this is that Europe wasn\u2019t buying many EVs a decade ago and cars back then had much smaller batteries, many of them just 22kWh or 24kWh.<\/p>\n<p>According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), only 215,000 EVs were sold in Europe in 2016 \u2013 compared to the 4.2 million sold last year. This marks a staggering 1,853 per cent increase. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn contrast, modern cars can have anything from a 50kWh to a 100kWh battery,\u201d Hiel explains. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo we are looking at two different trends that could radically change the grid in 10 to 15 years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n    widget--size-fullwidth\n    widget--align-center\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__content\">\n<blockquote class=\"widget__quote\"><p><span class=\"widget__quoteText\">There will be many, many more EV batteries available to use as grid storage and each one of those batteries is going to be much bigger.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><cite class=\"widget__author\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n                        Adrian Hiel\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n                        Director of Electrification Alliance\n                    <\/div>\n<p><\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Last year, the EU added 27GWh of batteries to the grid. At the same time, the bloc added around four or five times as much battery storage in the form of EVs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen those EVs eventually retire and their batteries become standalone storage, it will transform how the grid is run and operated,\u201d Hiel adds. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith each year as those storage levels increase we should see bigger and bigger price decreases in electricity &#8211; it is a very exciting virtuous circle.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Europe risks becoming an EV battery graveyard<\/h2>\n<p>More than a million EV batteries could reach end-of-life by 2030, according to the IEA. If they aren\u2019t efficiently repurposed into the grid, experts warn that they will become one of the world\u2019s \u201cfastest-growing waste streams\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>While EV batteries can be recycled, it is notoriously difficult and costly to do so. Before a battery can even start the recycling process, it must undergo a time-consuming preparation phase that involves discharging, dismantling and separating its components.<\/p>\n<p>There are also safety risks associated with chemical reactions used to recycle batteries, which can release toxic substances such as hydrofluoric acid. These compounds pose serious risks to worker health and safety, and can even damage recycling plant equipment.<\/p>\n<p>While experts are calling for an expansion of recycling infrastructure to recover critical minerals from EV batteries, placing them in the grid could be more useful.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-2\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Is the EU&#8217;s electricity \u2018diverse\u2019 enough? Renewables slip year-on-year despite huge solar boom<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Solar panels produce electricity during the day (when it is sunny), but this is when electricity consumption in domestic households is at their lowest, as people are often out of their homes for work or school. Instead of being wasted, this excess power could be stored in second-life EV batteries and used later in the evening, when household demand peaks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is the famous duck curve where grid consumption lowers during the day and then ramps up very quickly as the sun goes down and people return home from work,\u201d Hiel says. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd it\u2019s not just about solar but wind will also benefit. The batteries will move solar from midday to the evening peak in summer and they will move wind from overnight to daytime peaks in the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The idea is already being deployed around the world. <\/p>\n<p>In California, for example, a 12 megawatt-hour (MWh) facility from energy system developer B2U, uses hundreds of second-life Honda EV batteries that are charged by 1.5 MW of solar generation. The project sells electricity and grid services into the California Independent System Operator market. <\/p>\n<p>And in more remote regions, second-life EV batteries can help provide a much more affordable supply source for communities. The World Bank estimates that more than 160,000 mini-grids are needed to address power accessibility needs in Sub-Saharan Africa \u2013 connecting 380 million people with reliable energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928331-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928331\" data-cid=\"9926300\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928331-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/63\/00\/480x270_cmsv2_b15ca756-814f-56ea-b931-50adf75cb30d-9926300.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Deepwater Horizon crisis remains the largest marine oil spill in history\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Climate<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mapped: Oil slicks cover an area 3 times the size of Spain every year<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2912078-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2912078\" data-cid=\"9848185\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2912078-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/81\/85\/480x270_cmsv2_1696b398-d6c2-5dea-9233-69c17d3f4dce-9848185.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Doctors gather to protest in London, Saturday Oct. 12, 2019, to highlight deaths caused by air pollution\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe&#8217;s clean air crisis: Cities act to cut pollution deaths<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925656-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925656\" data-cid=\"9913107\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925656-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/31\/07\/480x270_cmsv2_e5b852e1-666e-5fc6-b1a4-94f195a4efab-9913107.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nuno Antunes \/ Unsplash\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Climate<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How can Europe cut industrial emissions without slowing development?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Renewable energies<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  clean energy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  battery<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Cars<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Electric cars<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Fossil fuels<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928025-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928025\" data-cid=\"9924755\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928025-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/47\/55\/320x180_cmsv2_3130dbb2-0b4c-5ecd-a690-1fe5555f8cd5-9924755.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Researchers believe new technology could help solar panels work further underwater than ever\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Scientists generate solar power 10 metres beneath the sea<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div 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class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928658\" data-cid=\"9928027\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928658-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/80\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_a717e371-746f-5220-b990-cfa6a7feb211-9928027.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rooftop solar panels can already save homes significantly - even under cloudy skies\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Could your rooftop earn you a \u20ac1,000 \u2018sunlight salary\u2019?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2928331-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" 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id=\"abe-2928236-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/57\/30\/320x180_cmsv2_4df115ba-d8af-5164-b2bc-0a7bed19e73f-9925730.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Renewable and fossil-fuel energy is produced when wind generators are seen in front of a coal fired power plant near Jackerath, Germany, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Only the starting line&#8217;: Germany plans to quit fossil fuels by 2045<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2928870-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928870\" data-cid=\"9928977\" 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class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928331-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2928331\" data-cid=\"9926300\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928331-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/63\/00\/480x270_cmsv2_b15ca756-814f-56ea-b931-50adf75cb30d-9926300.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Deepwater Horizon crisis remains the largest marine oil spill in history\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Climate<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mapped: Oil slicks cover an area 3 times the size of Spain every year<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2912078-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2912078\" data-cid=\"9848185\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2912078-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/84\/81\/85\/480x270_cmsv2_1696b398-d6c2-5dea-9233-69c17d3f4dce-9848185.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Doctors gather to protest in London, Saturday Oct. 12, 2019, to highlight deaths caused by air pollution\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe&#8217;s clean air crisis: Cities act to cut pollution deaths<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925656-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2925656\" data-cid=\"9913107\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925656-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/31\/07\/480x270_cmsv2_e5b852e1-666e-5fc6-b1a4-94f195a4efab-9913107.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nuno Antunes \/ Unsplash\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Climate<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How can Europe cut industrial emissions without slowing development?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928025-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928025\" data-cid=\"9924755\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928025-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/47\/55\/320x180_cmsv2_3130dbb2-0b4c-5ecd-a690-1fe5555f8cd5-9924755.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Researchers believe new technology could help solar panels work further underwater than ever\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Scientists generate solar power 10 metres beneath the sea<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928670-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928670\" data-cid=\"9928124\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928670-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/81\/24\/320x180_cmsv2_02875e54-b23c-5019-99c8-38b9c4b8470d-9928124.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tackling climate change could mitigate the impact of future El Ni\u00f1os, say experts\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    We can\u2019t stop the \u2018Godzilla\u2019 El Ni\u00f1o \u2013 but can we limit its damage?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928658-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928658\" data-cid=\"9928027\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928658-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/80\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_a717e371-746f-5220-b990-cfa6a7feb211-9928027.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rooftop solar panels can already save homes significantly - even under cloudy skies\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Could your rooftop earn you a \u20ac1,000 \u2018sunlight salary\u2019?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928331-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928331\" data-cid=\"9926300\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928331-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/63\/00\/320x180_cmsv2_b15ca756-814f-56ea-b931-50adf75cb30d-9926300.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The Deepwater Horizon crisis remains the largest marine oil spill in history\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mapped: Oil slicks cover an area 3 times the size of Spain every year<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928236-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928236\" data-cid=\"9925730\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2928236-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/57\/30\/320x180_cmsv2_4df115ba-d8af-5164-b2bc-0a7bed19e73f-9925730.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Renewable and fossil-fuel energy is produced when wind generators are seen in front of a coal fired power plant near Jackerath, Germany, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Only the starting line&#8217;: Germany plans to quit fossil fuels by 2045<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928870-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928870\" data-cid=\"9928977\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Fat Bear Week returns as Alaska&#8217;s biggest bears compete for the crown<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928025-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928025\" data-cid=\"9924755\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Scientists generate solar power 10 metres beneath the sea<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928670-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928670\" data-cid=\"9928124\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    We can\u2019t stop the \u2018Godzilla\u2019 El Ni\u00f1o \u2013 but can we limit its damage?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928843-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928843\" data-cid=\"9928912\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Scientists uncover surprising secret about the origins of bats<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2928331-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2928331\" data-cid=\"9926300\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mapped: Oil slicks cover an area 3 times the size of Spain every year<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries could transform Europe\u2019s outdated energy grid \u2013 preventing billions of euros wasted on electricity annually.While the renewables boom helped the EU save \u20ac51 billion last year by lowering oil and gas imports, the continent&#8217;s infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the clean energy transition.\u00a0According to a 2026 report by consulting group AFRY, commissioned by non-profit Beyond Fossil Fuels, 375 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy projects and 455 GW of battery storage projects are currently trapped in distribution grid queues across the continent.\u00a0That leaves more than \u20ac100 billion of renewables effectively waiting to connect to the grid, delaying access to solar panels and heat pumps for Europeans grappling with skyrocketing energy bills. But there\u2019s a solution waiting in what many think of as waste.Why Europe\u2019s energy grid is strugglingEurope\u2019s energy grid was originally built around coal, and later gas, which tends to operate from centrally located plants.However, green energy projects\u00a0 such as wind and solar farms tend to be located in remote areas \u2013 including offshore \u2013 making it harder to transport the electricity being produced to residential homes and businesses.Renewables such as solar and wind also rely on certain weather conditions to generate electricity rather than responding directly to demand.\u00a0When supply outstrips demand, as it often does, electricity prices can fall below zero and operators may be forced to turn off\u00a0 wind and solar farms or put them on a reduced output \u2013 a practice known as curtailment.\u00a0In 2024, 10 TWh of renewable energy was curtailed in the EU alone \u2013 enough to power three million homes for an entire year. This represents a whopping \u20ac4.3 billion in wasted electricity.While battery energy storage systems (BESS) have been identified as a key factor in reducing curtailment across Europe, investment is far from where it needs to be. Experts say that retired EVs could easily fill the gap.Could retired EVs save Europe\u2019s power grid?Just because an EV battery is second-hand doesn\u2019t mean it is of no use.In fact, most EV batteries are retired with as much as 70 to 80 per cent of their original capacity remaining. While this is not enough to meet automotive requirements, it could help provide power for homes, businesses or even smaller vehicles.\u00a0\u201cOld EV batteries really are a gold mine,\u201d Adrian Hiel, director of Electrification Alliance, tells Euronews Earth.\u00a0\u201cEven if their performance has degraded to the point that they aren\u2019t great for a car anymore they can easily have a second life, measured in decades, as storage for the grid, for businesses or domestically.\u201dCurrently, Europe is reliant on getting batteries from EVs that are more than 10 years old, or from vehicles that have been in accidents.\u00a0The problem with this is that Europe wasn\u2019t buying many EVs a decade ago and cars back then had much smaller batteries, many of them just 22kWh or 24kWh.According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), only 215,000 EVs were sold in Europe in 2016 \u2013 compared to the 4.2 million sold last year. This marks a staggering 1,853 per cent increase.\u00a0\u201cIn contrast, modern cars can have anything from a 50kWh to a 100kWh battery,\u201d Hiel explains.\u00a0\u201cSo we are looking at two different trends that could radically change the grid in 10 to 15 years.&#8221;Last year, the EU added 27GWh of batteries to the grid. At the same time, the bloc added around four or five times as much battery storage in the form of EVs.\u201cWhen those EVs eventually retire and their batteries become standalone storage, it will transform how the grid is run and operated,\u201d Hiel adds.\u201cWith each year as those storage levels increase we should see bigger and bigger price decreases in electricity &#8211; it is a very exciting virtuous circle.\u201dEurope risks becoming an EV battery graveyardMore than a million EV batteries could reach end-of-life by 2030, according to the IEA. If they aren\u2019t efficiently repurposed into the grid, experts warn that they will become one of the world\u2019s \u201cfastest-growing waste streams\u201d.\u00a0While EV batteries can be recycled, it is notoriously difficult and costly to do so. Before a battery can even start the recycling process, it must undergo a time-consuming preparation phase that involves discharging, dismantling and separating its components.There are also safety risks associated with chemical reactions used to recycle batteries, which can release toxic substances such as hydrofluoric acid. These compounds pose serious risks to worker health and safety, and can even damage recycling plant equipment.While experts are calling for an expansion of recycling infrastructure to recover critical minerals from EV batteries, placing them in the grid could be more useful.Solar panels produce electricity during the day (when it is sunny), but this is when electricity consumption in domestic households is at their lowest, as people are often out of their homes for work or school. Instead of being wasted, this excess power could be stored in second-life EV batteries and used later in the evening, when household demand peaks.\u201cThis is the famous duck curve where grid consumption lowers during the day and then ramps up very quickly as the sun goes down and people return home from work,\u201d Hiel says.\u00a0\u201cAnd it\u2019s not just about solar but wind will also benefit. The batteries will move solar from midday to the evening peak in summer and they will move wind from overnight to daytime peaks in the winter.\u201dThe idea is already being deployed around the world.\u00a0In California, for example, a 12 megawatt-hour (MWh) facility from energy system developer B2U, uses hundreds of second-life Honda EV batteries that are charged by 1.5 MW of solar generation. The project sells electricity and grid services into the California Independent System Operator market.\u00a0And in more remote regions, second-life EV batteries can help provide a much more affordable supply source for communities. The World Bank estimates that more than 160,000 mini-grids are needed to address power accessibility needs in Sub-Saharan Africa \u2013 connecting 380 million people with reliable energy.\u00a0<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/09\/28\/a-gold-mine-how-old-ev-batteries-could-help-prevent-europe-from-wasting-solar-and-wind-ene&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/92\/79\/00\/1200x675_cmsv2_67f2150a-de50-57bf-8308-016dabc65737-9927900.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Serbia&#8217;s president resigns to run for prime minister in snap vote Travel News Revealed: The top 10 countries for travel and tourism in 2026 Europe in Motion Is Europe succeeding at closing the gender gap between men and women? Europe News UK police probe Iran link to suspected bomb plot [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2167380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2167380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2167380\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2167380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2167380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2167380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}