Rivian's efforts have gained the attention of consumer and corporations alike. Their R1S SUV and R1T pickup are impressive vehicles. But it took a lot of development vehicles to make them, vehicles stuck with the now unneeded 135-kilowatt-hour battery packs. Instead of breaking them down or selling them, they're starting a new program to improve the power grid of underdeveloped areas like Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.
Their first project starts in the business sector of the city. This particular location has measured twice the normal commercial energy costs, and these batteries will be implemented alongside a microgrid of solar panels. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe had this to say.
"Second-life batteries are a big enabler to accelerating widespread adoption of renewable energy, and it's exciting to envision this system contributing importantly to a community. This project allows us to model a customized energy storage solution that takes into account space constraints, disaster resiliency and energy independence."
The batteries Rivian develops for testing were built with secondary usage in mind, making them easier than average to install to the renewable energy system. With any luck, they will begin operations by 2020.
