Eligible technologies

Projects eligible under this methodology are the activities that carry out the technical aspects of refurbishing or regeneration of used batteries at the end of their lifecycle in Europe. These batteries can either be or in their second life. Activities that only recycle batteries (e.g. shred them to collect and use metals), collect used batteries (e.g. buyback schemes), serve as marketplaces for resale, or act as Producer Responsibility Operators (PRO) are not eligible projects.

Marketplaces, battery waste management intermediaries, and battery optimization software companies may act as intermediaries between Riverse and battery second-life projects to assist in the certification process. Signed agreements shall be provided ensuring that the battery second-life project is the principal and final beneficiary of carbon finance.

Treated batteries eligible under this methodology include starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) batteries; light means of transport batteries (LMT); electric vehicle (EV) batteries; and energy storage systems (ESS). Other collected waste battery types such as portable batteries and portable batteries of general use are not eligible under this methodology. New, unused batteries obtained from overproduction are not eligible under this methodology.

This methodology distinguishes between two types of processes enabling a battery's second life:

• Refurbishing: involves a lighter process to restore battery packs to optimal working conditions. This includes but is not limited to mechanical repairs such as cosmetic damage (casing), deep discharge, component replacement, fuse replacements, battery management system (BMS) repair and balancing, wiring harness repairs, and cleaning the battery. In this process, any damaged or low-quality battery units and auxiliary components are replaced with either reused or new parts. In the E this is defined as battery remanufacturing.

• Regeneration: in addition to the battery refurbishing steps above, regeneration involves a more complex process of regenerating battery packs through methods such as applying electrical pulses and replacing the battery’s electrolytes to reverse some of the chemical degradation within the battery. The goal is to restore the battery's performance by reverting its degradation process without the need for replacing its core components, usually enabling it to return to its initial use application.

Both refurbishing and regeneration activities are eligible for Riverse Carbon Credits (RCCs) under this methodology.

Note that the project shall be defined as the project activities that are justified as additional. This may include a refurbishing/regeneration site’s entire operations or only an expansion project. See the Additionality section of the Riverse Standard Rules for more details.

Projects from other regions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, provided they can deliver region-specific data on battery fates.

Riverse Standard Rules

Project scope

One project corresponds to the battery second life sites within one registered company/holding company located within one country.

For example, if an international battery second life company has refurbishing sites located in both France and Germany, two separate projects must be registered: one for the operations in France, and one for Germany.