Rivian, Redwood Materials Partner on Second-Life Battery Storage at Illinois Plant

Photo Credit: Redwood Materials 

According to company reports, US automaker Rivian and Nevada-based battery recycling and energy technology firm Redwood Materials have partnered to install a battery energy storage system at Rivian’s manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, using repurposed EV battery packs to manage electricity demand and reduce operating costs.

The system will incorporate more than 100 second-life batteries sourced from Rivian vehicles and production scrap. Once integrated into a Redwood Energy system, the installation is expected to provide an initial 10 MWh of dispatchable energy, enabling the plant to shift electricity use away from peak periods and ease pressure on the local grid.

Rivian’s Normal facility is a central hub for its vehicle production, where energy demand can fluctuate with manufacturing activity. Redwood Materials, headquartered in Nevada, has expanded from battery recycling into energy systems, focusing on extending the usable life of battery assets before material recovery.

The project reflects a broader shift in how automakers and recyclers approach battery lifecycle management, linking end-of-life handling with on-site energy optimization. By deploying stored energy during periods of high demand, the system allows Rivian to avoid higher electricity prices while contributing to grid stability.

Rivian founder and chief executive RJ Scaringe said the partnership highlights the value of EV batteries beyond vehicle use. “As energy needs grow, our grid needs to be flexible, secure, and affordable. Our partnership with Redwood enables us to utilize our vehicle’s batteries beyond the life of a vehicle and contribute to grid health and American competitiveness,” he said.

Redwood Materials CEO JB Straubel pointed to rising electricity demand and slow grid expansion as key constraints for the industry. He said repurposed battery systems can bring new capacity online more quickly than traditional infrastructure, particularly at large industrial sites.

Industry estimates cited by the company suggest the United States will require more than 600 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2030 to balance peak demand and support electrification. Repurposing EV batteries offers a near-term pathway to meet part of that demand using existing assets.

Redwood said EV batteries often retain significant capacity after vehicle use, making them suitable for stationary storage applications. The company is positioning its battery integration and management capabilities as a way to capture a growing domestic supply of used battery packs while deferring recycling and reducing reliance on imported storage systems.

Source: Redwood Materials

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Second-life EV batteries are gaining traction as a practical tool for industrial energy management, bridging recycling and grid support without new infrastructure buildout.