In the era of growing popularity of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics or heat pumps, there is an increasing amount of talk about the need to dispose of energy storage devices. These devices, mainly lithium-ion batteries, are a great way to increase self-consumption of energy, but – like everything – they have their end of use. What happens when they stop working? What does the entire process of disposal and recycling energy storage devices look like?
What are energy storage facilities and why do they need to be disposed of?
Energy storage devices are devices that store energy – most often from photovoltaic panels – and release it when the installation does not produce enough, e.g. in the evening or on cloudy days. This is a practical solution for people who want to make better use of the electricity they produce and increase their energy independence.
Over time, like any other device, the energy storage device wears out. Most of them rely on lithium-ion batteries, which lose their efficiency after a few to a dozen years. When they stop working, you can't just throw them in the trash.
Their disposal is a process that requires an appropriate approach – it is not only about safety, but also about protecting the environment. Old batteries contain substances that must be properly protected, and many of their components are suitable for reuse. That is why it is so important to transfer them to a specialist point that will handle them in accordance with applicable regulations.
What happens to the used energy storage?
Modern energy storage solutions are designed for long, reliable operation – usually from 10 to even 15 years. Thanks to the use of high-quality lithium-ion batteries, appropriate safeguards and an intelligent management system (BMS), their service life and safety of use are at a very high level.
But what happens when, after many years of intensive use, the warehouse reaches the end of its useful life?
The first step is to report the device to the company responsible for its collection. From the day of reporting, the company is required to plan the transport – this also includes transport and disposal costs, which may vary depending on the location and type of warehouse.
Used batteries are sent to processing plants where they are subjected to a disposal process. Importantly, they are not only destroyed, but also valuable raw materials are recovered: aluminum, copper, lithium, cobalt. Their recovery not only reduces the need for further exploitation of natural resources, but also reduces CO₂ emissions associated with the production of new batteries.
What about photovoltaic panels?
Increasingly, when replacing old energy storage devices, the topic of recycling photovoltaic panels also comes up. Although the lifespan of panels is up to 25–30 years, some of the earliest installations are gradually starting to be recycled.
How to dispose of photovoltaic panels? The process of their processing involves separating the individual layers and recovering glass, silicon, aluminum or silver. Contrary to appearances, the disposal of photovoltaic panels is not only a cost, but also a chance to recover valuable raw materials. And how much does it cost to dispose of photovoltaic panels? It depends - some companies offer free collection, others charge a fee depending on the amount sent for recycling.
It is worth emphasizing that, similarly to energy storage, recycling of photovoltaic panels is becoming increasingly automated and cost-effective. Thanks to modern technologies for the recovery of raw materials and systems supporting the financing of the collection and processing of used equipment, the entire process is much more friendly to both the environment and the end user. Importantly, the obligations in the field of photovoltaic disposal rest largely with the manufacturer or importer, which additionally relieves the owners of the installation.
Who pays for it?
This is a good question – and a very timely one. In Poland, the principle of “extended producer responsibility” applies, which means that those who introduce batteries and accumulators to the market are responsible for their subsequent processing. However, in practice, much depends on the contracts and the specific company.
Financing collection and disposal often falls on the end user, especially if the installation was done by the user or the device came second-hand. It is therefore worth asking the seller at the purchase stage about how the issue of future disposal looks like.
Photovoltaic and energy storage utilization – an investment in the future
There is no doubt – the utilization of photovoltaics, batteries, energy storage and other renewable energy elements is an inevitable stage in the development of the entire industry. And although it may seem complicated, in reality it offers huge opportunities: recycling, recovering raw materials, reducing emissions and, above all, a real impact on the environment.
Therefore, when planning an investment in heat sources, photovoltaics or energy storage, it is worth thinking not only about production, but also about what will happen to the installation in 10 or 20 years.
