Methodology

Battery Refurbishing and Regeneration

Generic Requirements - This is a methodology note, projects are certified under Riverse Standard Rules V6.1.

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Overall Available Credits

352

tCOeq

Overall forecasted delivery

3796

tCOeq

Most used mechanism

Avoidance

Last Update

N/A

using this methodology

3

Projects

Battery Refurbishing and Regeneration

About the methodology

Battery production relies on critical materials like lithium and cobalt, which pose environmental risks. In the EU, recycling rates are low, and EV battery emissions could reach 8.1 GtCO₂eq by 2050 with growing demand. Secondary-life batteries reduce emissions by using reused materials and less energy-intensive manufacturing. Refurbishing restores used batteries through cleaning, repair, and testing, but challenges remain, including high costs and consumer trust.

Battery Refurbishing and Regeneration

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Technology

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Projects eligible under this methodology are the activities that carry out the technical aspects of refurbishment or regeneration of batteries. Activities that only collect used batteries (e.g. buyback schemes), serve as marketplaces for refurbishers or only recycles batteries are not eligible projects. Batteries eligible under this methodology include:

  • Rechargeable, containing a single cell/module, or a group of cell/module batteries, connected electrically in series, in parallel, or a combination of both.
  • Cells and modules can have multiple shapes (e.g. cylindrical or prismatic).

This methodology distinguishes between two types of processes:

  • Refurbishing involves cleaning and replacing degraded cells or modules with reused ones with better quality.
  • Regeneration involves sending high-intensity electrical pulses into the battery to restore its functions. In this process, chemicals can be used.

Both refurbishing and regeneration activities are eligible for Riverse Carbon Credits (RCCs) under this methodology. The refurbished or regenerated batteries can be portable, automotive, or industrial.

  • Portable: any battery, button cell, battery pack, or accumulator that is sealed, capable of being carried by hand, and is not an industrial or automotive battery or accumulator.
  • Automotive: any battery or accumulator intended to power a vehicle's starting, lighting, or ignition system.
  • Industrial: any battery or accumulator designed exclusively for industrial or professional purposes, or used in any type of electric industrial vehicle (e.g., forklift).

This methodology distinguishes between three types of battery chemistry:

  • Lithium-ion batteries (LIB): portable batteries composed of multiple lithium-ion cells, along with a protective circuit board. LIBs can have different chemical compositions, depending on the battery's intended use and manufacturer, such as lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), and nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA). This type of battery usually undergoes refurbishing.
  • Nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH): automotive batteries with nickel hydroxide and hydrogen-absorbing alloys as the principal active materials. NiMH hybrid car batteries are built-in modules, which contain cells. This battery type usually undergoes regeneration.
  • Lead Acid batteries (LA): portable, automotive or industrial batteries made of multiple cells composed of metallic lead, lead dioxide, lead sulfate, and sulfuric acid. This type of battery usually undergoes regeneration.

Scientific approach

Quantification

Quantification graph

Project and baseline scenario for the battery refurbishing and regeneration methodology note.

The methodology quantifies carbon removals and GHG emissions avoided compared to baseline scenarios using the ISO 14064-2 standard. In this methodology, all projects must submit detailed life cycle assessments (LCAs) to quantify emissions accurately.

Battery second-life projects are multifunctional so the functional unit is twofold:

  • production of 1kg  battery with similar SoH,
  • plus treatment of the corresponding amount of battery waste needed to generate this 1kg battery.

System Boundary

The baseline and project scenarios consist of two main functions: waste treatment of the battery after its first life and provisioning of a new battery. The baseline scenario considers the average market shares of waste battery treatment in the project's country, while the project scenario considers the project's data.

The baseline scenario is broken down into three life cycle stages:

  1. Waste battery collection,
  2. Battery waste treatment,
  3. Manufacturing of a new battery.

The project scenario is broken down into two life cycle stages:

  1. Waste battery collection
  2. Battery refurbishing/regeneration.

An average comparison of baseline and project scenario is presented in Figure 1, which rates vary according to the country and battery chemistry.

Core criteria of the methodology

Compliance

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Calculation

We adhere to the ISO14064-2 standard to accurately quantify GHG emissions reductions and sequestration. Our approach ensures that all calculations are transparent, consistent, and reliable.

Project Reporting

All our projects must comply with the General Standard Rules in accordance with ICVCM and ICROA requirements. This ensures the highest level of integrity and transparency in our reporting processes.

Audit and Verification

Every project undergoes rigorous validation and recurring verification/monitoring audits by accredited Validation and Verification Bodies (VVBs). This process guarantees the credibility and accuracy of our projects' emissions reductions.

Credit TraceabilitY

Our registry offers end-to-end traceability for the lifecycle of our credits, preventing double counting or double claiming. This system ensures that each credit's history is fully transparent and accountable.

Projects using this methodology

Overall Available Credits

352

tCOeq

Cobenefits most found in the projects

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

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Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

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Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

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Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

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Eligibility criteria

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All projects must comply with the following eligibility criteria: Measurability, Reality, Additionality, Permanence (not applicable here, avoidance credits), No Double Counting, Co-benefits, Substitution, Environmental and Social Do No Harm, Leakage, Technology Readiness level, Target Alignments, and Minimum Impact.

Versioning history

Version management is handled through a system that ensures consistency and traceability of changes.

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