Connected Energy is investing in the UK’s most advanced second-life electric vehicle (EV) battery testing facility as part of its first wholly owned and operated battery energy storage system (BESS) site. Located at Scottow Enterprise Park in Norfolk, the new hub will evaluate and integrate retired batteries from multiple EV bus and truck manufacturers, demonstrating the commercial viability of repurposing them for grid-scale energy storage.
The company has secured planning approval from North Norfolk District Council and is moving ahead with construction. Supported by a £2 million grant from the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK, the facility is slated to become operational by mid-2026. Alongside the test infrastructure, the site will host Connected Energy’s inaugural 5 MWh second-life BESS, enabling the firm to trade energy and offer grid services while gathering performance data.
This development marks the next step in Connected Energy’s growth. Having successfully shown how second-life BESS can work on a commercial scale, we are now moving to owning and operating grid-scale storage sites, with our first site also functioning as an advanced test facility,” Matthew Lumsden, CEO, Connected Energy
The project will furnish hard evidence of the value-add potential when end-of-life EV batteries are redeployed to support renewable generation or behind-the-meter applications. By extending battery lifespans, second-life storage systems can generate additional revenue streams, reduce waste, and help address growing energy demands in a more sustainable way.
Founded in 2010, Connected Energy has delivered commercial second-life storage installations across the UK and Europe for partners including Umicore, Volvo, and various public sector organizations. Building on this track record, the company is now scaling its business model to develop, own and operate grid-scale assets. Data and insights from the 5 MWh multi-battery project at Scottow will inform larger deployments as more second-life batteries become available.
Source: Connected Energy
