"From Waste Stream to Energy System: The Breakthrough of Second Life Batteries"

Dutch below

short description

Studies show that many used lead-acid batteries that are typically recycled still contain significant residual capacity and can be safely tested, restored, and reused. During this seminar, you will discover how simple diagnostics and targeted reconditioning can lead to reliable second-life applications, such as solar energy storage and off-grid systems. We also discuss the environmental impact, including an estimated 12-18% CO₂ reduction per reused battery, and explore the opportunities for a circular regional energy sector.

extended Description

The energy transition demands smart, affordable, and sustainable storage solutions. Research shows that a large share of lead-acid batteries in the Netherlands sent directly to smelters are, technically speaking, far from end-of-life. Through structured diagnostic and restoration methods, many batteries prove to retain substantial residual capacity and can safely be given a second life.

During this symposium, experts will guide you through practical, technical, and environmental insights. We will discuss how simple testing methods-such as voltage measurements, internal resistance analyses, and controlled discharge tests-determine whether a battery is immediately deployable, repairable, or truly ready for recycling. For repairable batteries, proven reconditioning techniques are applied, including resolving sulphation buildup, balancing the electrolyte, and performing stabilising charge/discharge cycles.

The results are promising: in an industrial batch of 43 tons of used batteries, approximately half proved suitable for reuse or restoration-representing hundreds of kilowatt-hours of recovered storage capacity. Demonstrations in solar energy storage, emergency power systems, and an off-grid tiny house showed that these reused batteries function reliably and efficiently.

We also explore the broader impact: every second-life battery that does not end up in a smelter avoids unnecessary resource extraction, reduces transport, and lowers CO₂ emissions by 12-18% per battery. This creates tangible opportunities for regional industry, energy cooperatives, grid operators, and SMEs seeking circular and cost-effective energy solutions.

The event is organised by the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente (FIP-AM@UT) and KIVI, the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers, with its departments KIVI Students Twente, KIVI Electrical Engineering and KIVI NoordOost.

speaker(s)

• Catharina Driesse - Alliander
• Prof. Dr. Mark Huijben - University of Twente
• Prof. Dr. Ian Gibson - Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente (FIP-AM@UT)

programme

12:30 - 13:00 | Arrival
➡️ 13:00 | Login / start MS Teams recording
13:00 - 13:05 | Welcome by KIVI
13:05 - 13:45 | Presentation by Catharina Driesse (Alliander)
13:45 - 14:35 | Presentation by Mark Huijben (University of Twente)
14:35 - 15:15 | Presentation by Ian Gibson (FIP-AM@UT)
15:15 - 15:30 | Q&A with questions from the chat
➡️ 15:30 | End MS Teams recording
15:30 - 16:15 | Guided tour
16:15 - 17:00 | Drinks
17:00 | Closing

target Audience

This symposium will be held in English and is intended for those interested in energy, industry, engineering and sustainability who want to understand how second-life batteries can provide a realistic, scalable and circular storage solution.

registration

Costs for KIVI members and students: free (KIVI- or studentnumber required upon registration).

Non-members: in-person €75.00 | online €10.00

Maximum of 40 participants; others will be referred to the online session.

Biographies

🔵 Drs. Catharina Driesse - Circularity Lead, Alliander

Catharina Driesse is responsible for driving and embedding circularity within Alliander's operations. Since 2018, she has led the Alliander Circular team, which focuses on repurposing critical grid components such as transformers, switchgear, gas regulation units, and tools. Through this work, she directly contributes to reducing waste streams and extending the lifespan of infrastructure materials. Driesse develops organisation-wide circular policies and fosters collaboration with partners to structurally integrate reuse and refurbishment into operations. Motivated by a strong personal commitment to sustainability, she continually seeks ways to create impact both inside and outside the organisation.

🔵 Prof. Dr. Ir. Mark Huijben - Professor of Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage, University of Twente

Prof. Mark Huijben is Professor of Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage at the University of Twente. He is internationally recognised for his research on advanced nanomaterials for energy storage, including solid-state batteries and innovative thin-film structures. After research periods at Stanford University and UC Berkeley, he founded his own research group in 2009, with which he became a leading scientist in the field of interface engineering and battery materials. Huijben has received prestigious grants, including VENI, VIDI, and VICI grants from the NWO Talent Program, tailored to different phases in his scientific career. He plays a key role in various national and European programs, including the Battery Centre Twente. His work lays the foundation for the next generation of sustainable energy storage technologies.

🔵 Prof. Dr. Ian Gibson - Scientific Director FIP-AM@UT & Professor of Design Engineering, University of Twente

Prof Dr Ian Gibson is the scientific director of the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing (FIP-AM@UT) and Professor of Design Engineering at the University of Twente. He is globally regarded as a pioneer in additive manufacturing and advanced production technologies, with an academic career spanning leading universities in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. Gibson has published more than 240 scientific articles and is co-author of Additive Manufacturing Technologies, a standard reference work in the field. At FIP-AM@UT, he connects applied research with the needs of the regional manufacturing industry, supporting companies in innovation and the adoption of new production technologies. His work has been honoured with the FAME Lifetime Achievement Award.

short description

Studies show that many used lead-acid batteries that are normally recycled still have significant residual capacity and can be safely tested, repaired and reused. During this seminar, you will discover how simple diagnostics and targeted reconditioning lead to reliable second-life applications, such as solar energy storage and off-grid installations. We will also discuss environmental impacts, including an estimated carbon reduction of 12-18% per reused battery, and opportunities for a circular regional energy sector.

● Detailed description

The energy transition requires smart, affordable and sustainable storage solutions. Studies show that a large proportion of lead-acid batteries that go straight to the smelter in the Netherlands are not at all technically exhausted. Through structured diagnosis and recovery methods, it turns out that many batteries still have considerable residual capacity and can safely be given a second life.

During this symposium, experts will take you through the practical, technical and environmental insights. We will discuss how simple test methods - such as voltage measurements, internal resistance analyses and controlled discharge tests - determine whether a battery is immediately usable, repairable or actually needs to be recycled. For recoverable batteries, proven reconditioning techniques are applied, including dissolving sulphate build-up, balancing electrolyte and performing stabilising charge/discharge cycles.

The results are promising: in an industrial batch of 43 tonnes of used batteries, about half were found to be suitable for reuse or recovery, accounting for hundreds of kilowatt hours of recovered storage capacity. Demonstrations in solar storage, emergency power facilities and an off-grid tiny house proved that these reused batteries work reliably and efficiently.

We are also exploring the wider impact: every second-hand battery that is not melted down avoids unnecessary resource extraction, reduces transport and lowers carbon emissions by 12-18% per battery. This offers concrete opportunities for regional industry, energy cooperatives, grid operators and SMEs looking for circular and cost-efficient energy solutions.

Organisation is in the hands of Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente (FIP-AM@UT) and KIVI, the Royal Institute of Engineers, with departments KIVI Students Twente, KIVI Electrical Engineering and KIVI North East.

● Speaker(s)

- Drs. Catharina Driesse - Alliander
- prof.dr.ir. Mark Huijben - UTwente
- Prof. Dr. Ian Gibson - Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Twente (FIP-AM@UT )

programme

12:30 h - 13:00 h Walk-in

è 13:00 h login/start recording at MS Teams

13:00 h - 13:05 h Welcome by KIVI

13:05 u. - 13:45 u. Presentation by Catharina Driesse (Alliander)

13:45 h - 14:35 h Presentation by Mark Huijben (University of Twente)

14:35 h - 15:15 h Presentation by Ian Gibson (FIP-AM@UT)

15:15 u. - 15:30 u. Q&A with questions from the chat

è 15:30 hrs End of recording MS Teams

15:30 hrs - 16:15 hrs Guided tour

16:15 h - 17:00 h Drinks

17:00 h. Closing and end

target group

This symposium is English-language and intended for those interested in energy, industry, engineering and sustainability who want to understand how second-life batteries can provide a realistic, scalable and circular storage solution.

● Register

Cost KIVI members and students: free of charge (registration number will be requested upon registration)

Cost others: physical € 75.00 | online € 10.00

Maximum 40 people, others will be referred to the online session.

● Biographies

🔵 Drs. Catharina Driesse - Circular Promoter, Alliander

Catharina Driesse is responsible within Alliander for driving and embedding circularity in business operations. Since 2018, she has led the Alliander Circular team, which focuses on repurposing critical grid components such as transformers, switchgear, gas control sets and tools. In doing so, she directly contributes to reducing waste streams and increasing the lifespan of infrastructure materials. Driesse is building an organisation-wide circular policy and encourages cooperation with partners to structurally integrate reuse and overhaul into operations. From her personal sustainability motivation, she is always looking for ways to make an impact both inside and outside the organisation.

🔵 prof.dr.ir. Mark Huijben - Professor of Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage, University of Twente

Prof.dr.ir. Mark Huijben is professor of Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage at the University of Twente. He is internationally recognised for his research on advanced nanomaterials for energy storage, including solid-state batteries and innovative thin-film structures. After research periods at Stanford University and UC Berkeley, he founded his own research group in 2009, becoming a leading scientist in the field of interface engineering and battery materials. Huijben received, among others, the prestigious VENI, VIDI and VICI grants from the NWO Talent Programme, tailored to different phases of this scientist's scientific career. He plays a key role in several national and European programmes, including the Battery Centre Twente. His work lays the foundation for the next generation of sustainable energy storage technologies.

🔵 Prof Dr Ian Gibson - Scientific Director FIP-AM@UT & Professor of Design Engineering, University of Twente

Prof Ian Gibson is Scientific Director of the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Advanced Manufacturing (FIP-AM@UT) and Professor of Design Engineering at the University of Twente. He is regarded worldwide as a pioneer in additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing technology, with an academic career that has taken him past leading universities in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. Gibson has published more than 240 scientific papers and co-authored Additive Manufacturing Technologies, a standard work within the field. Within FIP-AM@UT, he connects applied research with regional manufacturing practice, supporting companies in innovation and adoption of new manufacturing technologies. His work was awarded the FAME Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.