Energy Storage Start-up Spotlight: betteries AMPS

German energy storage start-up betteries AMPS GmbH has circularity principles at its core, providing a second life to electric vehicle batteries by upcycling them into affordable power systems.

In the second energy storage-focused Start-up Spotlight, the focus shifts to the batteries of electric vehicles (EVs).

The great electrification of transportation, and in particular private cars, is unquestionably of fundamental importance in terms of cutting carbon and combating climate change, as well as from a health perspective. And over the last decade or so the global electric vehicle fleet has grown significantly, primarily driven by supportive policies and technological advances, according to the IEA.

If we look just at the European market, forecasting how much market share EVs will gain in the coming years is not necessarily that easy, especially in the current climate of rising fuel prices and the cost-of-living crisis.

Some, like Schmidt Automotive Research, expect the growth in EVs to slow over the next couple of years. While others remain bullish, such as Autovista24, that predicts the EV share of the European market will be 23% this year, rising to 34.5% in 2025 and almost doubling by 2030.

Regardless, it’s fair to say that EVs will dominate the car market over the coming decades. That, however, raises the interesting question of what do we do with EVs’ batteries once they have reached the end of their operational life? How do we effectively manage this new waste stream?

One company that has looked at how best to address this important issue is betteries AMPS GmbH. This Berlin-based start-up has taken an innovative circular-economy approach by developing highly-flexible second-life battery systems via the upcycling of EV batteries to create affordable, multi-use power systems.

Last year, they won the ‘Clean and efficient energy generation and storage’ category of the prestigious UNIDO Global Call 2021 Award, which recognizes innovative cleantech solutions.

Rainer Hoenig, the founder and managing director of betteries, shares more about his sustainability-focused venture and its innovative solution.

Have you read?
Energy Storage Start-up Spotlight: Geyser Batteries
Horizon Europe: Five energy storage projects
Why storage is the Swiss Army knife of the energy transition

What is your start-up’s solution?

At betteries we upcycle batteries from electric vehicles into affordable power systems. These emission-free and clean power systems can be used in multiple applications e.g., to replace small-scale fuel-based generators or to power small electric vehicles.

This not only helps to make e-mobility truly sustainable and avert significant CO₂ emissions but also helps protect valuable resources and fully embraces the principles of the circular economy.

What are your solution’s USPs?

Our second-life battery systems are modular, mobile, multi-purpose and connected. They were designed in line with the principles of a circular economy, so designed and manufactured for repair and recycling.

But it’s not just about hardware innovation. All systems are connected to betteries proprietary cloud. With advanced AI and machine learning-based battery analytics technologies, betteries can remotely monitor their assets to offer customers the best possible field support and optimised data driven operational strategies for best performance in tough environments – anywhere on the globe.

How will your solution genuinely contribute to the successful transition to a low-carbon future?

We contribute in two significant ways.

On the one hand, by giving electric vehicle batteries a second life, we improve the overall carbon footprint of an electric vehicle by more than 30% as battery manufacturing accounts for circa 50% of the overall CO₂ footprint of such vehicles.

And furthermore, our battery-based mobile power systems replace carbon-intensive solutions like diesel-fueled generators or small ICE-powered three-wheeler.

What have been the milestones in your start-up’s journey so far and what is the next milestone?

We have piloted our products in multiple applications and different markets across the globe, successfully completed certification of our battery packs and are now rolling out serial production and kicking off sales.

What words of wisdom do you have for start-ups at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey?

Focus, focus, focus… on true customer value, on your key priorities (only), and on securing sufficient funding because it always takes longer and ends up being more expensive than you planned.

About the Start-Up Spotlight
Initiate's Start-up Spotlight aims to profile some of the most innovative start-ups and other small ventures in the energy transition space, and also generate greater awareness of the amazing innovative solutions and thinking that promise to make a genuine impact as we shift to a low-carbon future.

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