[Report] Returning Used Batteries to the Field... A Visit to the Electric Vehicle Battery Industrialization Center

Recycling Waste Batteries Linked with Transport Vehicles and Streetlights

A view of the Electric Vehicle Battery Industrialization Center operated by the Jeju Techno Park (JTP) Energy Convergence Center in Jeju Island.
Photo by Hyunseok Yoo

[Jeju=Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Electric vehicles are considered a key element for carbon neutrality as eco-friendly cars. However, end-of-life electric vehicles pose various challenges, primarily due to the disposal of used batteries. Unlike other waste, landfill or incineration is difficult. Lithium, a material in the batteries, poses a fire risk if exposed to water or air.

On May 4, ahead of Children's Day, we visited a facility established to address the used battery issue. It is the Electric Vehicle Battery Industrialization Center operated by the Energy Convergence Center at Jeju Technopark (JTP) in Jeju Province. This is the first center in Korea to build a 'full lifecycle system for used electric vehicle batteries.' It evaluates the performance of collected batteries and develops products using reused batteries.

At the entrance of the 2,457㎡ (743 pyeong) center, used batteries were piled up. Lee Dong-hoon, head of the Utilization Technology Development Team at the Energy Convergence Center, cautioned to avoid touching the stacked batteries. There is still a possibility of electric current flowing, which could cause injury. He added that an explosion and fire had occurred at a used battery recycling plant in Korea.

Interior view of the Electric Vehicle Battery Industrialization Center operated by the Jeju Technopark (JTP) Energy Convergence Center in Jeju Island. Pack and module inspection rooms where testing and evaluation of used batteries are conducted.
Photo by Hyunseok Yoo

Inside the center beyond the entrance, various testing equipment was examining used batteries. The machines operated continuously. Lee said, "So far, about 250 electric vehicle batteries have been collected. Most of the current storage space is filled, but once the building under construction is completed, we will be able to store over 400 batteries."

The center collects used batteries when electric vehicles are scrapped and stores them before conducting performance evaluations. Afterward, through reuse and remanufacturing, the batteries are utilized for public purposes or sold to the private sector. Initially, the collected battery packs undergo an external inspection. Those that pass move to the pack inspection room for performance evaluation. This process assesses residual value and classifies the batteries into grades A to E based on capacity.

Energy Storage System (ESS) installed using recycled batteries.
Photo by Yoo Hyun-seok

After touring the internal facilities, we moved to the electric vehicle charging facility equipped with an Energy Storage System (ESS). The center does not merely inspect used batteries but also works on utilizing them. Through this, they are applying the batteries not only to renewable energy but also to tourism and primary industry-related linked fields.

Currently, the center has developed and is demonstrating eight products using collected electric vehicle batteries, including electric vehicle charging station-linked products, streetlight-linked systems, and agricultural transport vehicles. Lee emphasized, "The testing and inspection system establishment and full lifecycle management of used electric vehicle batteries promoted by Jeju Technopark will contribute to industrial development by being applied to various fields in Jeju in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.