Second act: the pioneers giving green tech a new spin

Innovative leaders in the clean technology sector are transforming discarded equipment into valuable resources for the future of energy. Their blend of creativity, foresight, and determination is enabling the reuse of yesterday’s hardware to power tomorrow’s sustainable energy systems.

One such example is Connected Energy (CE), a Norfolk-based company that specialises in repurposing electric vehicle (EV) batteries. When Tania Saxby joined CE in 2019, fresh out of university, she was the only woman in a predominantly male team, many with a background at Lotus and strong ties to motor sports. Despite the gender imbalance, Saxby was warmly welcomed and has since become the head of sustainability. CE’s innovative approach involves taking EV batteries that have lost enough capacity to drive vehicles but still retain substantial energy storage capability. These ‘second life’ batteries are assembled into large-scale energy storage units that can supply electricity to facilities such as data centres, often sourced from local renewables like solar PV. Additionally, these battery packs play a role in energy trading by storing inexpensive surplus grid power and selling it when prices are higher, reducing waste and enhancing the renewable energy infrastructure.

Saxby, who is still in her twenties, leads efforts to quantify the carbon savings achieved by using second-life batteries instead of new ones and is conducting a comprehensive life cycle assessment to ensure the company’s environmental claims hold true from start to finish. She highlights a growing positive feedback loop: as renewable energy generation from sources such as wind and solar increases, so does the demand for energy storage solutions. Concurrently, the proliferation of electric transport, including large vehicles like mine trucks, results in more EV batteries becoming available for reuse. Saxby also notes the improving gender diversity within CE and the wider energy sector, welcoming increased female participation in electrical engineering as a pathway to securing promising jobs in this field.

In a related development, Renewable Parts (RP) is making strides in extending the life of wind turbine components. Led by James Barry, who left a long-standing career at Rolls-Royce to become CEO in 2015, RP focuses on refurbishing worn-out parts from wind turbines, such as gearboxes, motors, and circuit boards. This remanufacturing process not only contributes to circularity but also offers several advantages. Barry explains that refurbished parts typically cost 30 to 40 percent less than new ones and result in significant carbon savings, as avoiding the production of steel reduces carbon emissions by roughly three tonnes per tonne of steel saved. Moreover, the practice enables ongoing design improvements by analyzing failed parts to enhance future components with modern technologies. RP’s emphasis on remanufacturing has led the company to open a dedicated hub in Houston, Texas—a leading region for wind energy—while steadily growing its workforce and apprenticeship programme.

Barry reflects on his enthusiasm for nurturing a diverse team with a shared mission, describing the nearly 60-strong RP staff as “60 families” united in a purposeful endeavour. He encourages young people, even those with limited experience, to bring the right attitude and embrace opportunities within renewable energy. When asked about the UK government’s emphasis on green job potential, Barry affirms it wholeheartedly, citing renewable energy as a field rich with prospects for meaningful and lasting careers

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