With the increase in electromobility, a sharp rise in used batteries can already be expected in the future. After initial use as energy storage in trucks, buses or vans (1st-life), there are basically various options for further use: reuse in the vehicle (2nd-use), use in another application (2nd-life), for example as stationary buffer storage, or as a final option, recycling to recover the valuable raw materials.

Of these alternatives, remanufacturing battery components for a second use is likely to be the most ecologically and economically viable option. The new research project REVAMP (Remanufacturing of multi-variant battery modules with automated assembly and testing processes) is therefore also dedicated to this goal. The project, which is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) as part of the funding measure for "Research in the Priority Funding of Battery Cell Production", aims to help increase the utilization rate for 2nd-use and 2nd-life batteries in Germany. The project is being supervised by the VDI/VDE-IT project management organization.

The basis for this remanufacturing process, which already exists for refurbished engines or vehicle components, for example, is the condition assessment and automated dismantling of battery returns as a core aspect of REVAMP. On this basis, research will then be conducted into the reconditioning, reassembly, testing and reintroduction of the battery to the market.

The Machine Tool Laboratory and the Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives at RWTH Aachen University are involved in the REVAMP project. The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology is also part of the project. The following companies from industry are involved: IBG Automation GmbH, Bertrandt Technikum GmbH, Software AG, BE-Power GmbH, Wacker Neuson Produktion GmbH & Co. KG, Weidemann GmbH and MAN Truck & Bus SE as consortium leader.

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