A Nissan LEAF Shuts Down, an Airport Awakens

The batteries of Nissan LEAF electric cars are finding a second life at Fiumicino Airport, the largest in Italy.

As part of the “Pioneer” project, supported by European innovation funds, 84 refurbished Nissan LEAF batteries have been integrated into a cutting-edge energy storage system, alongside a vast solar park.

This storage system, with a total capacity of 10 MWh, partially relies on these batteries sourced from end-of-life vehicles. Nissan provided 2.1 MWh of storage through its third and fourth generation batteries, retrieved from cars that had significant mileage or were returned under warranty. Retrofitted to meet strict safety and performance standards, they are expected to continue functioning for at least six to seven years, even under intensive use.

The batteries will have multiple lives

Integrated by the company Loccioni into the device developed by Enel, this system supports the airport’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Coupled with a solar farm of 55,000 panels, the whole will produce up to 31 GWh of renewable electricity each year, enough to power the terminals and support the airport’s electrical grid.

This initiative illustrates the potential of technologies stemming from electric mobility to play a role in the energy transition, beyond their use on the roads. Nissan is not new to this endeavor: similar projects, such as those in Melilla, Spain, or the Nomadic LabAlliance, have already demonstrated the effectiveness of these second-life batteries in ensuring a clean and stable energy supply.

In summary, the LEAF batteries continue their journey, this time bringing energy to the ground, where airplanes take off.

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