Jaguar Land Rover has partnered with Off Grid Energy
Second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries will be transformed into energy storage units
Jaguar Land Rover has partnered with Off Grid Energy to develop a zero-emission energy storage unit powered by second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries.
The mobile gridtogo™ Battery Energy Storage System (ESS), which features 1.5 second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries, supplies zero-emission power where access to the mains supply is limited or unavailable. To showcase its capability, the unit helped Jaguar TCS Racing prepare for the 2022 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship during testing in the UK and Spain, where it was used to run the team’s cutting-edge diagnostic equipment analysing the race cars’ track performance, and to supply auxiliary power to the Jaguar pit garage.
About Off Grid Energy Battery Energy Storage System (ESS)
Q: What is a Battery ESS?
A: A Battery ESS is a rechargeable device which enables energy from renewables such as solar and wind, to be stored and then released when users need power.
The Off Grid Battery ESS uses second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries to provide power in place of a traditionally fuelled generator. The unit is silent, emission free and with very little cost for maintenance.
Q: How does the Battery ESS work?
A: The unit is a self-contained solution that consists of a battery system linked to a bi-directional converter and the associated control management systems. Users can simply plug in to draw the required power.
Q: How is the Battery ESS charged?
A: The unit is charged via Off Grid Energy’s solar panel array at its base in Rugby providing complete zero-emission power.
Q: How quickly does it take to recharge the Battery ESS?
A: Charging is dependent on connection. The unit can be charged by a variety of methods, even a 3 pin plug. Using a 22kW AC three-phase wallbox, the until will charge in up to four hours.
Q: Can I charge my EV with the Battery ESS?
A: Yes, the unit is fitted with type 2 EV charge connections with dynamic control and rated at up to 22kW AC to allow electric vehicle charging.
(An 11kW AC three-phase wallbox can charge an I-PACE from 0-100% in 8.58hrs)
Q: How much can a Battery ESS power?
A: The gridtogo™ storage system has a capacity of up to 125kWh – enough to fully charge Jaguar’s multi-award-winning all-electric I-PACE performance SUV, or to power a regular family home for a week (Based on 2019 average annual household electricity consumption 3,772kWh = 72.3kWh per week, Energy Consumption in the UK 1970 to 2019).
Q: Where can a Battery ESS be deployed?
A: The Battery ESS can be deployed in situations where access to grid power is limited or unavailable – for example at construction sites, festivals, and events.
Q: What batteries are used in the Battery ESS?
A: The ESS unit uses second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries supplied by Jaguar Land Rover. Each unit is made up of 50 modules taken from I-PACE batteries. There are 36 modules in each Jaguar I-PACE therefore one ESS unit is made up of batteries from 1.5 Jaguar I-PACE'S. Off Grid Energy directly reuses up to 85% of the vehicle battery supplied by Jaguar Land Rover within the storage unit, including modules and wiring. The remaining materials are recycled back into the supply chain.
Q: What vehicles do the batteries in the current Off Grid units come from?
A: The batteries in the current units are from ex-engineering vehicles used during the development of the Jaguar I-PACE.
Q: How long does a Jaguar I-PACE battery last?
A: There are 50 modules in total: the unit has ten trays, and each tray consists of five modules.
Q: Is this like a Tesla Power Wall?
A: While the technology and outputs are similar, the Off Grid Energy Battery ESS is designed to be portable rather than a permanent installation and for now, will be used primarily in commercial applications.
Q: Can I buy one or hire a Battery ESS?
A: The gridtogo™ Battery ESS is available to hire direct from Off Grid Energy.
Q: How long does an ESS last?
A: This is dependent on how much power is drawn from the unit. Running at 25kW output, it will last five hours before re-charge.
About the partnership
Q: Who is Off Grid Energy?
A: Off Grid Energy are experts in energy storage solutions where the grid needs help or doesn’t reach. It aims to shorten lead times, improve costs, and reduce environmental impact across a range of use cases.
Q: What is the relationship between Jaguar Land Rover and Off Grid Energy?
A: Jaguar Land Rover has partnered with Off Grid Energy to develop a range of energy storage units using second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries for zero-emissions charging in situations where access to grid power is limited or unavailable.
Q: What other units will be developed?
A: Jaguar Land Rover and Off Grid Energy are currently undertaking development work on a range of solutions including a smaller version that utilises second-life batteries from Jaguar and Land Rover PHEV models.
Q: What other products does Off Grid Energy make?
A: Off Grid Energy has been delivering energy storage solutions for temporary and permanent applications since 2011. Its expertise ranges from hybrid power generation to save fuel and reduce emissions, to grid power re-enforcement solutions that avoid the cost and extended timescales associated with grid upgrades. Off Grid Energy market sectors include construction, events, utilities, remote off-grid for commercial and domestic, EV charging, and communications. The company offers solutions for direct capital purchase as well as operating one of the largest fleets of energy storage assets anywhere in the world.
Q: What other companies does Off Grid Energy work with?
A: Off Grid works with a range of different companies across different sectors. Examples include National Trust, BMW, BBC, Skanska and UPS.
Q: Does Off Grid Energy and Jaguar Land Rover plan to sell these commercially for domestic use?
A: The Off Grid Energy Battery ESS is designed to be portable rather than a permanent installation. However, Off Grid has had experience delivering longer term temporary power to remote housing during renovations or grid upgrades.
Q: Will Jaguar Land Rover continue to use second life batteries, or will you move to battery recycling to meet new vehicle demand?
A: Ideally the batteries from our vehicles will enjoy a second, or even third life before being recycled to maximise their value. We will however remain flexible with our future strategy as we continue to expand our electrified range to ensure supply can meet demand.
About Jaguar TCS Racing
Q: How will the unit be used by Jaguar TCS Racing?
A: The unit was used by Jaguar TCS Racing to run the team’s cutting-edge diagnostic equipment analysing the race cars’ track performance, and to supply auxiliary power to the Jaguar pit garage during pre-season testing.
Q: How does Jaguar TCS Racing currently power its test facilities?
A: Jaguar TCS Racing carries out limited on-track testing during the Formula E season with auxiliary power often supplied via traditionally-fuelled generators at the track. We are delighted that going forward a sustainable, zero-emission solution could be available.
Q: Will Jaguar TCS Racing use the ESS to power the I-TYPE race cars in the future at E-Prixs?
A: Currently Formula E run on electricity generated using Hydrogenated Vegetable oil (essentially waste cooking oil) to power all the cars in the world championship since last season. In addition, ABB has signed an agreement to provide the charging technology for Gen3 cars in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. ABB’s Electrification teams are currently working on the specifications and requirements to develop an innovative and safe solution for charging the lighter, faster and more energy-efficient Gen3 cars through portable charging units that can charge two cars simultaneously.
Q: What happened to the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY?
A: The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY was the world’s first all-electric production-based international race series. After two successful seasons, the series was concluded having realised many of its targets. Jaguar TCS Racing remains committed to the long-term future of Formula E, having signed up to the Gen3 era.
About Reimagine
Q: How does this project relate to Reimagine?
A: The partnership is helping Jaguar Land Rover grow its circular economy and achieve net zero status by 2039 as part of its Reimagine strategy. With the company accelerating the electrification of its product portfolio, finding a second life for batteries after they have been removed from vehicles can avoid premature recycling, help create a secure supply of rare materials, and generate new revenue streams for the business.
As well as collaborating with industry leaders, such as Off Grid Energy, Jaguar TCS Racing has also committed its long-term future to the Gen3 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The team will further help Jaguar Land Rover develop new sustainable technologies and set new benchmarks in quality with its partners, and support Jaguar’s renaissance as an all-electric luxury brand from 2025.
Q: What is Reimagine?
A: Reimagine is Jaguar Land Rover’s new global strategy. Set against a canvas of true sustainability, Jaguar Land Rover will become a more agile creator of the world’s most desirable luxury vehicles and services for the most discerning of customers. The company aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its supply chain, products and operations by 2039.
At the heart of Reimagine will be the electrification of both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. By the middle of the decade, Jaguar will have undergone a renaissance to emerge as a pure electric luxury brand. In the next five years, Land Rover will welcome six pure electric variants as it continues to be the world leader of luxury SUVs through its three families of Range Rover, Discovery and Defender. The first all-electric variant will arrive in 2024.
Q: Why is Jaguar Land Rover tackling this issue now?
A: Electrification is at the heart of Reimagine and so it is vital that we understand the complete lifecycle of the components we are using to create these vehicles. With the Off Grid Energy partnership, we are able to demonstrate a second life battery solution that ensures our products remain sustainable across their life, even after they leave our fleet.
Q: Is Jaguar Land Rover behind on electrification?
A: We have achieved many milestones on the road to electrification and are in a reasonable place for this point in the total transition towards electrification within our industry.
The Jaguar I-PACE was the world’s first premium all-electric performance SUV. Since it launched, it has won more than 80 global awards, including 2019 World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year and World Green Car.
In 2020, we increased the number of models available with PHEVs from two to eight and the number of models with MHEVs from two to eleven.
In addition, in Q1 FY22, 66% of our retail sales were BEV, PHEV or MHEV.
We have a very ambitious timeline for the electrification of Jaguar Land Rover under Reimagine from here.