EDENenergy, a start-up spun off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, aims to give used batteries from micromobility a second life. To achieve this, the Freiburg-based company is developing modular energy storage systems for commercial and industrial customers. In mid-October, the first storage system, with a capacity of 70 kWh, was delivered to a customer.
The system integrates 112 used e-scooter batteries connected in series. Before deployment, the batteries are tested for their technical condition. According to the company, the initial results exceeded expectations: among around 350 batteries examined, the remaining capacity was partially well above 90 per cent. Originally, EDENenergy had calculated with a State of Health of 80 per cent.
The technical foundation is power electronics developed at Fraunhofer ISE. This technology enables the combination of batteries with different form factors and varying battery management systems into a single stationary storage system, without the need to disassemble individual batteries. However, EDENenergy currently relies primarily on larger suppliers, such as e-scooter and e-bike fleet operators, to obtain sufficient batteries of the same type.
EDENenergy plans storage systems with up to 300 kWh
One advantage of the modular concept is the replaceability of the batteries. EDENenergy monitors the individual modules remotely and can replace them during operation if necessary. This approach is intended to maintain the storage capacity at a constant level over the long term. The company expects to still provide the original 70 kWh even after ten years. Batteries that are no longer usable are subsequently sent for recycling.
Initially, the offering targets small and medium-sized enterprises with their own photovoltaic systems that wish to increase self-consumption or reduce peak loads. EDENenergy also sees potential applications for municipal utilities and electricity trading. In the long term, the start-up aims to expand its storage systems to capacities of up to 300 kWh.
A challenge remains the diversity of available batteries. For each new battery type, connectors, battery management, and communication protocols must be adapted. In the long run, EDENenergy therefore considers uniform communication standards and clear legal frameworks essential for the stationary reuse of mobile batteries.
Other companies are also working on repurposing used batteries from micromobility. For example, in 2025, e-scooter rental provider Lime and US battery recycler Redwood Materials agreed to cooperate on battery recycling in Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA. While this initiative aims to recover valuable raw materials for new batteries, EDENenergy initially focuses on reusing functional batteries in stationary storage systems before they are sent for recycling.
For further development, the company is seeking additional pilot customers from the regional commercial sector. Through the Baden-Württemberg funding programme “Mittelstand trifft Start-ups”, corresponding projects can reportedly receive 50 per cent funding. EDENenergy also receives support from the Sustainability Performance Centre and the BW Pre-Seed programme. The first investor is JobRad founder Ulrich Prediger.
