A sustainable blockchain-based framework to develop the Li-ion second-life batteries market

With the growing electric vehicle (EV) market, a secondary market for reused Li-ion batteries is emerging. Second-life batteries (SLBs), which no longer meet EV performance requirements, remain valuable as they can be repurposed for stationary energy storage. However, a major challenge in the SLB market is ensuring transparency and reliability of battery performance data from their original use. This paper proposes a blockchain-based framework to address this challenge by integrating battery degradation simulations with blockchain technology. The degradation patterns of EV batteries under three different usage conditions were simulated, with the resulting data collected and stored on a blockchain. This enabled the association of usage records with battery lifetime, ensuring secure, transparent, and tamper-proof records. Our findings demonstrate that such a framework can effectively verify the health of SLBs and their suitability for reuse. Moreover, our simulation revealed good prospects for SLBs in stationary applications, as their performance could be similar to EV light use, offering a lifespan 113 % longer than heavy use and 55 % longer than moderate use. By leveraging digitalization, this solution enhances trust in SLB markets, promotes sustainable energy adoption, and helps EV manufacturers address concerns about the increasing volume of Li-ion batteries that will require disposal.