Chapter 6: Decommissioning and End-of-Life for Battery Energy Storage Projects

Introduction to Decommissioning and End-of-Life Management

Typically, decommissioning is the process which occurs after a battery energy storage system (BESS) project is determined to have met an end of use (EOU) or end of life (EOL) condition. EOU or EOL can be thought of as a decision point for repurposing, recycling, repowering, or disposal. The specific condition(s) associated with EOU or EOL may be specified in a utility’s asset plan, and/or it may be guided by the BESS vendor’s warranty conditions.

When a BESS is decommissioned or repowered, some or all components of the BESS may be removed from service at its current location, potentially including, but not limited to, the battery modules, housings, thermal management, fire suppression, power electronics, and so forth.

In some cases, the battery itself and/or the power electronics may have reached an end-of-life condition, though determining a battery’s EOL lacks an industry-wide standard definition. Up until present day, many systems that have been decommissioned were research systems that were relatively small and did not serve any critical grid purpose. Due to this, returning the site to a greenfield condition after decommissioning has been common. However, the majority of the site infrastructure beyond the BESS components will have a design life far exceeding that of a battery module or inverter. Interconnections, infrastructure, land, and operating permits are not likely to get any cheaper or easier to get in the long-term. Therefore, in cases where the service(s) provided by the battery system are still desired, it may be economically and environmentally preferable to retain the site, infrastructure, interconnection etc. and simply replace the EOL components such as batteries, inverters, or converters. How to design and plan for a repowering effort post-decommissioning of EOL components is very system, site, and situation specific and will not be covered in detail in this chapter.

This chapter will predominantly follow the planned decommissioning scenario, where a system’s capacity gradually fades to its minimum state of health (SOH)—this being the EOL trigger for decommissioning or a site repower. Other common EOL conditions are discussed later in the chapter. In this scenario, ample time is given for decommissioning or repower planning and preparation prior to the EOL condition being reached. (Note that for this document, the scope of “decommissioning” will extend solely to BESS equipment, leaving the future of the site to a separate post-process.)

Figure 6-1 provides a high-level view of the steps involved in the typical case of decommissioning and models the approach of a utility engaging a third party to coordinate onsite work, transportation logistics, shipping, and disposal upon determination of an EOL condition or other need to decommission and recycle.

Figure 6-1 Stages of Energy Storage: Key Steps for Energy Storage Decommissioning - Source: EPRI

The decommissioning process begins well before the asset is considered at its end of life or use. The time needed to plan and execute a successful decommissioning may take months and should therefore be addressed while the asset is still in operation. The process begins with a comprehensive review and update of the existing decommissioning plan, which should have been created during the initial planning phase of a project and updated, as necessary, during the subsequent project phases. Plan review is followed by coordination and engagement with recycling and decommissioning partners to outline the scope of work, procedure, equipment title transfer, finances, and site resource plans necessary to execute the decommissioning plan.

Once the decision has been made to proceed with decommissioning, operations staff may need to de-register the BESS from the pool of operational assets and proceed with the pre-developed decommissioning plan. The BESS may need to be charged or discharged to arrive at a final resting state of charge (SOC) specified in the plan or in guidance from a recycling vendor, battery OEM, or regulatory body. After this step, the BESS may be electrically disconnected, and then prepared for removal from the site. The system, or appropriate portion of the system, is then dismantled, components are packaged, and then transported to recycling or disposal partners per applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations.

While this approach simplifies the utility portion of the effort, other divisions of responsibility, such as the utility performing the majority of the labor and logistics work before shipping to a recycling partner, may take advantage of any existing internal site expertise. The emergence of new roles and responsibilities for decommissioning/recycling partners is discussed later in this chapter.

Decommissioning may also be required post-emergency if a fire suppression discharge or thermal event occurs, and the system is considered unsafe to operate. There are other scenarios where a system may no longer be required to perform service in its current location, and the asset would be decommissioned without reaching any EOL conditions. Both of these scenarios require case-specific modifications to the typical decommissioning process. Handling of any damaged modules from thermal events, fires, physical damage, water or other fire suppression should only be conducted after and in close collaboration with the battery manufacturer in order to follow proper procedures and safe handling practices. Furthermore, it may be necessary to directly involve the manufacturer to resolve such situations. It also might be necessary to fully discharge or take other precautions with damaged modules prior to transportation. Prior to taking such steps, the manufacturer and the destination recycling entity, if different from the manufacturer, should be consulted.

Ensuring site and personnel safety is key for any decommissioning process. Discharging and removing batteries involve potentially hazardous conditions that utility or third-party personnel will need to pay particular attention to maintain safety. Ensure the appropriate training and personal protective equipment is provided beforehand.

Table 6-1

Table 6-2

Plan for Decommissioning

It is important for a utility to consider decommissioning and EOL during earlier BESS project phases, specifically during facility design, procurement, and operations. In doing so, a utility should be able to reduce risks and positively influence options for asset management, including potential sale, life extension, repowering, and retirement. Below are more details on decommissioning and EOL considerations that are advisable to take during earlier project stages.

A decommissioning plan should be created as part of the project planning or procurement process. The National Fire Protection Association Standard 855 requires stationary storage projects approved for construction or installation after August 25, 2019, to provide the authority having jurisdiction with a decommissioning plan as part of the commissioning process and prior to final inspection and approval for commercial operation.

Even if not required by regulators or other external parties, a decommissioning plan may be a useful internal reference and may help communicate requirements among different business groups. It may also aid in developing cost estimates when selecting potential partners for decommissioning and recycling.

Common elements of a decommissioning plan include:

• Descriptions of the project, decommissioning work, and site
• Expected facility lifetime
• Cost estimates for decommissioning and EOL activities
• Plan for notification of relevant authorities, partners, and emergency response agencies
• Summary of relevant regulatory and permit requirements
• Typical removal and demolition elements
• Disposition of battery modules and other components (e.g., housings, electronics, fire suppression system, etc.)
• Plans for site restoration

Decommissioning plans can vary in depth and detail, as they might range from a few pages of descriptive text to lengthy, detailed guidebooks complete with engineering drawings and tabulated cost estimates. For practical management of the decommissioning process some entities find it useful to include detailed items such as job safety assessments, lift plans, and de-energization plans as the decommissioning approaches.

As discussed previously, this plan will require revisitation and updates throughout the life of the system—not just when the system reaches an EOL condition. Keeping this plan up to date provides a strong contingency in the event of an emergency, allowing for easier adaptation to the situation. In the typical case of decommissioning, this plan should be reviewed by the project team and can guide the selection of recycling/decommissioning partners, as well as the end scope of work. Coordination and selection of these partners can take months. Additionally relevant standards, rules and regulations impacting decommissioning need to be monitored as they may have evolved during the preceding operational period and may impact or require modifications to the decommissioning plan. When the EOL condition is finally reached, a thorough plan is already in place to implement. For more information on developing decommissioning plans, see Holistic Decommissioning Planning for Lithium Ion Battery Modules and Energy Storage Facilities (EPRI, 3002021775).

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Consequently, a robust decommissioning plan may assist in the following areas:

1. Inform project development, including choice of battery technology as decommissioning costs can vary by chemistry.
2. Meet safety and decommissioning requirements imposed by authority having jurisdiction, landowners, and project partners.
3. Support permitting and compliance with applicable regulations, codes, and standards.
4. Guide the decommissioning process itself – in planned situations, emergency situations and at EOL.

Roles and Shared Responsibilities

For utility owned systems, the division of responsibilities and labor can take multiple paths. The physical dismantling, de-energization, and demolition of the site could be performed by utility personnel, a recycler offering this service, the original installer, integrator, and/or an entirely new contractor. Communication and demarcation of equipment to be decommissioned, and which party has that equipment within their scope, is key throughout the decommissioning process. If onsite equipment is not sufficiently audited and clearly assigned to scopes and destinations, it is probable that delays, unnecessary work and contractual discrepancies will occur.

The transportation logistics for decommissioning can also be coordinated among various parties, including utility staff, a contractor, the original integrator, or through a recycling company. Ensuring that all equipment being transported is clearly assigned to each party’s scope is important, as is confirming that each party understands the full dimensions and requisite order for the removal of each piece of equipment.

Battery recycling vendors and associated logistics providers already offer a variety of services, ranging from simply accepting module shipments to going on site and handling the dismantling, shipping, logistics, and end recycling of the systems. As BESS decommissioning becomes more common, the potential roles of recyclers and logistics providers are likely to expand.

Bottom line, as with system installation, defining the roles, responsibilities, process interdependencies and destinations for every piece of equipment is critical to ensuring a smooth decommissioning experience.

Considerations During Project Planning or Facility Design

During the planning phase, the project team should also hold a briefing/coordination on the project’s decommissioning plan. It is important to ensure that all stakeholders have provided the necessary input and are aligned on the various requirements and processes expected for decommissioning and EOL prior to a final investment decision.

During the planning phase, a utility should estimate a decommissioning cost which incorporates the net salvage value. This could involve engaging professional engineers, who can accurately break down work scope; and potentially researchers or service providers who are projecting markets and costs out to the time of expected end of system life.

When making EOL considerations, a utility could also consider selecting technologies, manufacturers, and/or project management/engineering firms that have demonstrated or are developing EOL management processes rather than those that leave this up to the utility to determine.

It is also important to consider what types of decommissioning and EOL financial assurance mechanisms are required or desired by the financier, insurance firm, parent company, or other project partners. This supports the fact that decommissioning plans typically delineate the decommissioning and EOL responsibilities of the asset owners, including eventual removal, restoration, and disposition processes to be conducted at the end of a system’s operational lifetime or should a system be moved to another location.

See Guidelines for Assessing End-of-Life Management Options for Renewable and Battery Energy Storage Technologies (EPRI, 3002020594) and End-of-Life Management for Lithium Ion Battery Technologies: Issues, Uncertainties, and Opportunities (EPRI, 3002020006) for details on EOL management processes.

Considerations During Procurement

During the procurement of a BESS, a utility would be advised to consider including contractual terms prior to project award that clearly define decommissioning and EOL responsibilities for relevant parties as well as penalties for non-performance. Related to this effort, a utility should request information on management processes from both the battery vendor or integrator, and from the developer or engineering firm that will design and construct the site. Among the key questions to ask are:

• Is a decommissioning plan included in the project deliverables?
• What EOL options are available for the project? Is manufacturer takeback recommended or available?
• Does the firm have relationships/recommendations for certain EOL service providers that have experience with their technology?
• What is the product bill of materials?
• When will each piece of equipment meet EOU or EOL?

Considerations During Project Operation

Once a BESS is operational, the utility should conduct reviews of relevant codes, standards and regulations, decommissioning and EOL cost estimates and update them accordingly. Consider conducting the review midway through project life and as a project nears its decommissioning date or EOL. Taking these steps can provide useful insights on final costs. For example, process efficiency improvements and buildouts of new recycling infrastructure may reduce costs as the industry gains more experience and becomes more mature. Where EOL is concerned, recent federal domestic investments in recycling infrastructure in many countries will shift demand and supply availability and costs for EOL services. Reuse or repurpose (aka “second life”) markets for batteries may expand, and even established markets will be affected by global changes in mineral demand and material recovery developments. The relative costs of different EOL options may change as recycling processes for batteries improve and/or as investments are made in dedicated recycling facilities.

Environmental and transportation regulations for battery modules, which are often classified as hazardous materials (e.g., Class 9 Dangerous Goods during transport), are major cost drivers for decommissioning energy storage systems whether at EOL or not. A utility should periodically review existing and pending regulatory requirements as changes in hazardous material or hazardous waste management (such as landfill bans), packaging and transport requirements could alter previously set plans.

A utility could also preferentially consider EOL service providers that hold certifications for environmentally responsible recycling. For example, e-waste recyclers may hold Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) Responsible Recycling (R2) Standard or e-Stewards certifications. Currently there are no lithium ion battery-specific certifications.

Disconnect and Decommission

Decommissioning can be a time-consuming process. Because large, utility-scale BESS are a relatively new product and asset class, many processes and regulations have yet to be standardized. In addition, a wide range of stakeholders are involved in the process – both internally (including the various functions detailed in Table 6-1 and Table 6-2) and externally (such as regulatory authorities or recycling partners). In addition, a variety of BESS sizes, designs, and ancillary equipment exist, meaning that while the overall dismantling and salvage steps from different types of BESS remain the same, the labor effort and cost for disassembly, details of packaging and logistics, ability to bring cranes and large trucks on site, quantity of materials to be removed and other details will vary substantially by site. Thus, the decommissioning process should be shaped to meet the needs of individual projects.

Typical steps for a BESS decommissioning are listed below.

• Audit all onsite equipment to determine its final disposition, whether recycling, reuse/repurpose or disposal, as well as the location they will be delivered to upon removal from the site.
• Determine any other equipment with special needs for packing and shipping (e.g., determine if container size requires lowboy and/or wide-body flatbed trucks), ensuring that proper transportation equipment is available and aligned with the project schedule.
• Charge/discharge the BESS to its final state of charge (SOC). The system manufacturer may have guidance on the desired SOC.
• Record the status of the battery modules, including last status, state of health, SOC, and other system parameters prior to taking the system offline.
• Electrically disconnect the BESS from grid, auxiliary power, transformers, and inverters (if possible, for AC integrated BESS) with proper lock-out tag-out procedures in place. Note that auxiliary power may be required for some decommissioning activities and care needs to be taken in timing auxiliary power disconnects.
• Ensure job safety leading practices are followed, including job hazard analyses, safety briefings, identification and use of proper PPE, development of emergency procedures and muster points; likewise, maintain communication and prepare coordinating with local emergency response agencies and the site AHJ.
• Follow relevant environmental and safety regulations for the handling, storage/accumulation and other management of undamaged lithium ion batteries which are classified as universal waste – a subcategory of hazardous waste under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 40 Code for Federal Regulation (CFR) § 273.
• Package BESS components and ship materials to recycling, reuse/repurpose, waste handling, and/or disposal partners. See the following section for more information on Equipment Packaging and Transport.

Equipment Packaging and Transport

Pre-planning and early preparation are common themes for the Decommissioning Phase, and packaging and transportation are no exceptions. The regulatory requirements for packaging and transport of batteries destined for recycling and disposal can be complex. As mentioned earlier, a strong decommissioning plan will identify relevant standards, codes, and regulations, and ensure that the plan adapts with any regulatory changes. Balance of plant, power electronics, enclosures, and other non-battery equipment has separate transportation regulations that are more common for logistics teams and drivers.

The typical process for the packaging and transport of equipment is outlined below.

• Package BESS components according to all relevant regulations for later transportation (e.g., the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for packing, labeling, notification, shipping, and overall safety of hazardous materials under 49 CFR § 172 and 173.185). Special packaging and labeling are required as per the CFR.
• Ship materials to recycling, reuse/repurpose, waste handling, and/or disposal partners. Multiple destinations may be appropriate. Ensure paperwork appropriately declares any hazardous materials, hazardous and/or universal wastes, and the transportation and/or logistics partners are aware of and follow all associated requirements for retention, handling, transportation, disposition, and documentation.
• Obtain certifications of final disposition once processing is complete.

In a decommissioning of a 2 MWh lithium ion BESS, EPRI observed lack of understanding by field personnel of UN/DOT Class 9 hazardous material labelling and EPA Universal Waste labels. After battery modules were packaged on pallets for transport (see Figure 6-2), the contractor required a reminder of proper labeling practice. It is important for utility personnel to be informed on regulatory requirements as a doublecheck on vendor practices.

Figure 6-2 Ensure Labeling of Battery Modules Complies with Regulatory Requirements - Source: EPRI, U.S. Department of Transportation

Damaged, defective, or recalled (DDR) battery modules require special packaging and documentation to ensure awareness to all handlers and safety during transport. Determination of the status of DDR modules should be done with input from both owner/operator and the logistics provider and/or recycler. Best practice is to assume that some fraction of modules on site may have DDR status, and to bring the appropriate packing materials just in case they are needed, or if modules are damaged during the disassembly and removal.

In field decommissioning experiences, EPRI has also observed issues with the transport of BESS containers, PCSs, and other equipment due to insufficient communications regarding equipment dimensions. Figure 6-3, for example, illustrates an instance where the lifting eyes on an enclosure exceeded the permitted truck dimensions, requiring a scramble to remove the enclosure. In a separate instance, a container’s lifting eyes had been welded in place and had to be cut off before the driver could accept the container for transport. Both situations could have been avoided if proper accounting of equipment and container dimensions were handled before ordering trucks for their removal and transport. This includes not just the standardized container or enclosure dimensions, but any ancillary equipment (such as HVAC units) or the support structure (such as the lifting eyes).

Figure 6-3 Problem: Lifting Eyes Exceed Permitted Truck Dimensions - Source: EPRI

More learnings, experiences, and information can be obtained in Energy Storage Decommissioning Case Study: Lessons Learned from the Energy Storage Implementation Practices Collaborative (EPRI, 3002022301) and ESIC: Battery End-of-Life Case Study (EPRI).

Decommissioning requires a thorough review and documentation of site conditions, equipment dimensions, hazardous material transportation and waste labelling and handling prior to actual field activities, preferentially through an on-site visit by the recycler or logistics provider. Parties should anticipate logistical delays and build that time into the project schedule and costs.

Additional Decommissioning Challenges and Considerations

Preparing for BESS decommissioning involves a variety of considerations that may require investigation and prioritization:

• Determining battery module end of life
• New roles and shared responsibilities
• Outdated system architecture and safety design and evolving safety rules, codes and regulations
• Potentially lost documentation, enterprise knowledge, and contact with original manufacturers and installers
• Transport of hazardous materials and large equipment
• Volatility of salvaged material value and cost of service
• Handling of damaged modules

Each of these potential challenges are detailed below. Over the next five years or so, decommissioning experience with first generation BESS is likely to accelerate, and with it, additional learnings that will inform best practices for safety and economics of future decommissioning efforts. Given that these first-generation facilities were typically not designed or built with standardized approaches or advanced safety systems (e.g., fire suppression systems) that current BESS are adopting, they are likely to pose a higher risk and higher cost than systems that are currently being designed and installed.

Challenges in Determining Battery End-of-Life

At this time, there is no industry standard definition for the EOL of a battery, though certain ratios of observed parameters to nominal ones, such as capacity (Ah), energy (kWh), and internal resistance are typically used to form an estimate for the SOH of the BESS. SOH is used as a metric for performance and degradation over the system life, though it can also inform safety cut offs for lithium ion BESS. As lithium ion batteries age, they can form internal defects like lithium plating or dendrites, which dramatically increases the safety risk of the system. For this reason, batteries are typically given an EOL SOH, which demarcates the lowest recommended SOH level that is permissible, and once reached, the system should be retired.

Referring to the specific battery manufacturer’s guidance and/or warranty provisions related to defining the operational end of life for the battery is the most common method of defining EOL conditions.

Battery cell manufacturers often specify that their warranty coverage extends for a specific remaining energy capacity (e.g., “70% SOH”); a specified calendar life (e.g., “10 years”); or a specified energy throughput (e.g., “10 GWh”). Furthermore, the warranty typically includes the caveat to these three metrics by stating whichever of these comes first completes the warranty. However, performance and workmanship warranty coverage may end before performance EOL conditions arise. If a BESS is infrequently used and well maintained, it may run out of the warranty period before reaching an EOL SOH. As with automobiles, exceeding a 36-month, 36,000-mile warranty does not necessarily indicate that the vehicle is at its true EOL.

A battery that experiences failure may also be deemed to be at EOL. If a battery failure occurs in a large BESS with multiple battery enclosures, the failure may only affect a small number of them, leaving the other battery units fully operational. In such a case, the battery module or enclosure that experienced the failure may be deemed to be at EOL and removed from operation. Other (unaffected) battery modules/enclosures may continue in normal operation (if they are assessed to be safe), perhaps at reduced capacity until replacement batteries arrive. Note that damaged, defective, or recalled modules must be decommissioned with different protocols than functional modules.

Outdated System Architecture and Safety Design

Few utility-scale BESS have been decommissioned due to the industry’s relative immaturity. Early projects coming due for decommissioning may have been small capacity pilots, R&D efforts, or simply projects that reflect the state of the industry at the time of their installation. As such, they were generally designed to have walk-in lithium ion architectures, as well as potentially outdated fire suppression systems.

Many of these systems would no longer meet NFPA 855 compliance, largely due to current fire safety standards that did not exist at the time of installation. During decommissioning, any thermal management, fire suppression, gas management and detection, and explosion prevention systems that exist may end up being disabled or switched offline, resulting in unmonitored batteries with off-line safety systems. Decommissioning activities may also remove the capability of interfacing with controls and the BMS. Thus, it is crucial to focus on safe and precautionary approaches to the de-energization and disassembly of a BESS during decommissioning.

For example, a 2 MWh NMC BESS that was commissioned in 2014 and decommissioned in 2022 was housed in a 53-foot, custom-built walk-in container that was equipped with a gaseous fire suppression system, smoke detectors, and an HVAC system. All of these were taken offline by the contractor during the battery module removal and decommissioning process. Figure 6-4 shows the inward facing battery cabinets and the walk-in corridor; such an architecture typically is no longer used. Modern BESS unit designs have increased modularity, are smaller in footprint and capacity, and with direct access to the battery modules from doors that open to the outside. Humans cannot enter the unit. For systems that ship with battery modules inside such a modular enclosure, one option for decommissioning may be to remove the unit in its entirety. This could occur in the event the manufacturer is taking the system back for refurbishment and reuse, or repurposing, or final disposition. However, it is also possible that such modular enclosures will be dismantled on site and the materials and components sent to different recyclers or end points.

Figure 6-4 Interior of a Walk-in Battery Energy Storage System Enclosure - Source: EPRI

It is important to anticipate that safety challenges due to the specific system’s unique risks will need to be addressed in the decommissioning plan.

Loss of Documentation, Enterprise Knowledge, and Contacts

A risk inherent in older BESS is a potential loss of useful institutional knowledge due to personnel changes, incomplete or lost documentation, and obstacles in contacting the original manufacturer, installer, or integrator. The lack of standardization in many early products also presents challenges in understanding true specifications of the installed system, which may or may not match the generalized documentation provided by the vendors and integrators upon installation. Best practice for utilities is to have a detailed internal handoff when individuals change roles to resist the loss of enterprise knowledge. Although it may be difficult to retroactively document existing equipment onsite, requiring decommissioning plans for all future systems can assist in combating such long-term documentation and communication challenges.

It is important to ensure site documentation, commissioning and decommissioning plans, integrator contacts, and internal handoffs age properly to avoid challenges from loss of information during decommissioning.

Volatility of Salvaged Material Value and Cost of Decommissioning at EOL

Final decommissioning costs at EOL will be impacted by the recovery value of recycled materials and minerals – values that are highly speculative in advance. As such, projecting EOL costs in the future remains very difficult. Factors such as current supply chain challenges, national incentives for recycling and domestic cell production, shifts away from nickel and cobalt chemistries, and the future decommissioning of growing numbers of EVs and BESS all will impact the future market for recycled materials. The market price of the recovered materials will also impact the potential value or cost of decommissioning systems at EOL.

In 2017, EPRI estimated the net future costs of decommissioning at EOL, including recycling or disposal of the component parts of a 1MWh NMC BESS in a 40’ ISO container to be $91,500 in 2030 dollars. In 2022, the cost of decommissioning, including recycling and disposal of a 20MW/10MWh NMC system was $1,185,000 in 2030 dollars. At the same time the cost was estimated for a smaller, mixed technology system comprised of a 100kW/400kWh lithium ion battery system and 100kW/400kWh vanadium flow battery system. The total for the mixed system was $168,200 in 2030 dollars. (The updated 2022 assessment is included in Investigation of Battery Energy Storage System Recycling and Disposal: Industry Overview and Cost Estimates [EPRI, 3002023651].)

It is important to consider dynamic BESS design features (e.g., chemistry, energy density) as well as recycling trends and policies, in determining accurate decommissioning costs at EOL.

Decommissioning Resources

Resource	Application to Decommissioning
End-of-Life Management for Lithium Ion Battery Technologies: Issues, Uncertainties, and Opportunities	This white paper, which focuses on stationary storage applications, introduces leading battery chemistries and key technology attributes from an end-of-life perspective and identifies management options, project life-cycle considerations, and applicable policies and regulations.
Energy Storage Decommissioning Case Study: Lessons Learned from the Energy Storage Implementation Practices Collaborative	This report summarizes lessons learned from the decommissioning and disposal of a lithium ion battery energy storage system (BESS).
Holistic Decommissioning Planning for Lithium Ion Battery Modules and Energy Storage Facilities	This white paper presents findings and recommendations reflecting a review of decommissioning plans for U.S. stationary energy storage facilities based on lithium ion battery modules, as well as related literature.
EPRI Research Activities on Renewable and Battery End-of-Life Management	This fact sheet summarizes the range of current and prior EPRI research deliverables on EOL management topics. It is intended as a resource for EPRI members and public stakeholders interested in specific research projects and is a starting point for further reading.
Guidelines for Assessing End-of-Life Management Options for Renewable and Battery Energy Storage Technologies	Compilation of guidelines for decommissioning renewable and battery energy sites.
Lithium Ion Battery Energy Storage End-of-Life Management Infographic	This infographic summarizes a variety of metrics for the End-of-Life management of lithium ion batteries.
Recycling and Disposal of Battery-Based Grid Energy Storage Systems: A Preliminary Investigation	Reports on the characteristics of lithium ion batteries as well as existing options for and challenges to removing, reusing, and recycling these types of systems and associated electronic and auxiliary parts. Also examined is the potential impact of evolving state and federal safety and environmental regulations on end-of-life battery management.
Investigation of Battery Energy Storage System Recycling and Disposal: Industry Overview and Cost Estimates	This report develops cost estimates for end-of-life management of two different BESS designs: (1) a large BESS (20MW, half hour) lithium ion system, and (2) a smaller mixed chemistry system incorporating both lithium ion (100kW/400kWh) and vanadium flow batteries (100kW/400kWh).
Energy Storage Integration Counsel (ESIC) Energy Storage Implementation Guide	Use elements of RFP Template and guidance for decommissioning/EOL.
Energy Storage Integration Council (ESIC) Energy Storage Request for Proposal Guide	EPRI conducted evaluations of energy storage sites across multiple regions and in multiple use cases to capture the current state of fire prevention and mitigation.
ESIC BESS End-of-Life Case Study Webcast Presentation; Recording	Decommissioning case study of a 250 kW, 750 kWh battery. It includes lessons learned from the decommissioning contractor and recycling and shipping requirements from a recycling company.