Skip to main content

Connected Energy and Renault to collaborate on EV charging technology

Renault and Connected Energy are partnering to develop sustainable and efficient ways of using electric vehicle batteries at the end of their useable in-vehicle life in order to supply innovative and more affordable electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. At the end of their useful in-vehicle life, Renault EV batteries still have considerable remaining capacity, which means that they can continue to give great service in other applications before they are ultimately recycled. Through its E-STOR te
February 5, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
Renault and Connected Energy are partnering to develop sustainable and efficient ways of using electric vehicle batteries at the end of their useable in-vehicle life in order to supply innovative and more affordable electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions.

At the end of their useful in-vehicle life, Renault EV batteries still have considerable remaining capacity, which means that they can continue to give great service in other applications before they are ultimately recycled.

Through its E-STOR technology, Connected Energy is offering a highly innovative solution to this conundrum through use of ‘second life’ Renault EV batteries.

E-STOR technology can be used to store energy generated from on-site renewable generation resources such as solar panels and wind turbines, and then release it as it’s needed at a later time. The system also allows the batteries to be charged via low-cost off-peak electricity tariffs, enabling users to reduce their energy costs.

The first E-STOR product is nominally rated at 50kW/50kWhr which could typically be used to support one rapid charger or a cluster of fast chargers but the system is fully scalable and higher capacity units are planned.

In addition to allowing more efficient use of energy, the system can also enable installation of rapid electric vehicle charging at sites where the electricity supply would traditionally only allow slower rates. Instead of charging vehicles via a high-capacity supply directly from the grid, E-STOR allows multiple batteries to be charged at a slower rate over a period of time, ready to release their energy and charge a car when an EV driver needs it.

Matthew Lumsden, managing director, Connected Energy, said: “E-STOR will enable the more cost-effective roll-out of electric vehicles in commercial and industrial settings, thus increasing the overall sustainability of this clean form of transport.    With Renault we have secured the supply of second life batteries for future E-STOR installations.”

Eric Feunteun, electric vehicle program director, Renault, commented: "The second life application of Renault electric vehicle batteries supports Renault’s commitment to the energy transition in the automotive industry. Through E-STOR, EV owners can charge their car at reduced costs with electricity that is less carbon-dependent. It makes driving an EV a smart and even more sustainable transportation solution. With this energy management technology, EVs and their batteries become an asset for the grid rather than create overload.”

Related Content

  • June 24, 2016
    Elimination of electric vehicle systems
    According to IDTechEx Research reports, Power Electronics for Electric Vehicles 2016-2026, Mild Hybrid 48V Vehicles 2016-2031 and Structural Electronics 2015-2025: Applications, Technologies, Forecasts”, el4ctric vehicles (EVs)have a cost challenge: hybrids have complexity problems meaning reliability and space issues. Extra power electronic units arrive for tasks such as a vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-house and inductive charging. Many more will be added in future such as regeneration modules - thermoelect
  • March 6, 2018
    Emotorwerks Expands in Europe to accelerate Smart-Grid EV Charging
    Internet of Things electric vehicle (EV) charging solution provider, Emotorwerks has expanded its operations to Europe and released its JuiceBox Pro 32 EV charging station to help deliver smart-grid charging capabilities to consumers. It follows the company’s recent acquisition of Enel. JuiceBox Pro 32 will work alongside the Juicenet software platform with the intention of providing drivers with high-powered charging, reliability and smartphone visibility and control over charging. In addition, these
  • November 7, 2022
    Greener transit via Maryland microgrid
    Arup is involved in Montgomery County smart energy project in Maryland, US
  • May 22, 2012
    Vehicle ownership - a thing of the past?
    Convergence of electron-powered vehicles with connected vehicle technologies could mean that only a few decades from now the idea of owning a vehicle will be entirely alien to the road user. By Technolution chief scientist Dave Marples with Jason Barnes Even when taken individually, many of the developments going on and around vehiclebased mobility will bring about major changes in transportation. Taken collectively, the transformations we might expect are nothing short of profound. Enumeration of the influ