Second-life battery energy storage for renewable-driven water desalination
Integrated framework combining second-life EV batteries with reverse osmosis desalination to cut energy consumption, reduce repurposing costs, and enable grid-independent operation powered by renewable energy.
Overview
Water desalination is energy-intensive, and powering it with renewable energy sources introduces challenges due to the intermittency and uncertainty of solar and wind generation. This research proposes an integrated solution that uses second-life battery energy storage systems (SL-BESS)—retired electric vehicle batteries—to store renewable energy and drive reverse osmosis (RO) desalination more efficiently. By designing water and power systems within a single unified framework, the approach aims to significantly reduce energy consumption, lower repurposing costs, and enable fully off-grid desalination operation.
Technical specifications
Core approach:
- Simultaneous design, optimization, and control of water and power systems within one integrated framework
- Use of affordable, flexible second-life batteries from retired EVs as the primary energy storage medium
- Data-driven identification of healthy modules from unpacked battery packs
- Optimal sizing of the SL-BESS specifically for RO desalination integration
- Efficient control strategies that minimize battery degradation and maximize lifetime
- Controllable pumps within a batch RO desalination module for flexible operation
- Integration with solar PV generation for fully renewable-powered desalination
Key benefits:
- Preliminary results show up to 30% reduction in daily energy consumption for desalination units
- Potential for grid-independent operation using renewable sources alone
- Lower-cost energy storage by repurposing retired EV batteries
- Extended battery lifetime through optimized control and characterization
Technology readiness level
The concept has been validated through preliminary studies demonstrating energy savings and grid-independent feasibility. The current stage involves developing a small-scale SL-BESS using an unpacked second-life battery pack, characterizing and sizing the storage system for RO desalination, designing controllable batch RO modules, and integrating the full system with solar PV generation. The technology is at an early-to-mid research and development stage, moving toward small-scale prototype validation.
About Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University is a comprehensive private R1 research university in Fort Lauderdale–Davie with a strong professional focus and a multi‑campus footprint. Industry partners can access shared core facilities, wet/dry labs, and leasable space in the 215,000‑sq‑ft Center for Collaborative Research, enabling co‑located projects and streamlined compliance. An oceanographic campus at the entrance to Port Everglades provides direct field access and specialized facilities, while NSU Health and the adjacent HCA Florida University Hospital support clinical research and translation. Research is supported by competitive federal funding, including NIH and NOAA, alongside other federal sources such as DoD; a dedicated Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization assists with IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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