With our site focusing primarily on electric and hybrid cars and other forms of transportation, we are well versed in the ongoing discussion of afterlife for automotive lithium-ion batteries.  Many suggest that once batteries are incapable of use within a vehicle that they should be put to use elsewhere, perhaps as an energy storage device within a home.  The idea makes sense.  Batteries are typically deemed unsuitable for use in vehicles after their performance and storage capacity drops below about 80% of its original numbers.  This means that the batteries are used, but far from used up.

So why not take the batteries and employ them within your home.  They can hold the charge of energy obtained from solar roof panels or wind turbines and effectively provide energy to power either portions of your home or your entire home.

The idea is sound, except few people will have access to  advanced automotive batteries available for home use until these batteries reach their end of life cycle about 10 years from now.  So what can be done from now until then for those eager to employ advanced batteries as an energy solution for their home?

Panasonic has provided the answer.  Beginning in 2011, the company will offer lithium-ion batteries tailored for in-home use.  The battery was developed by Sanyo, a company recently acquired by Panasonic.  Both companies are working together to bring the in-home batteries to market quickly and are expected to make a more detailed announcement regarding the specifics of the program early next year.

Source:  PhysOrg via AutoBlogGreen