Financial Impact of Disposing Batteries

There are a number of factors directly impacting the cost of disposing batteries in accordance with the RBRC Act.

Batteries are typically deployed in a fully enclosed battery cabinet or on an open rack with various levels of shelves.

The batteries are connected in strings of a number of battery blocks. Each battery block has two terminals that are connected with jumpers from one battery block to the next in the string.

In certain applications, the batteries are secured to the shelves in the rack or cabinet with industrial grade zip ties or other similar means.

A battery system connected to a given UPS, may have one or more strings of batteries depending on the runtime required when originally configured.

There are several companies specializing in recycling of batteries used in various applications, UPS included.

They typically provide a full service offering on a local, regional or national basis servicing clients with a one-time or recurring need to dispose of batteries.

In calculating their quotes to a client they have to consider the following factors:

•  Battery type

•  Battery weight

•  Battery quantity

• EPA legislation specific to the State

• Labor required

- Disconnecting terminals of batteries

- Stacking and packaging batteries on pallets

- Dismantling battery rack or cabinet

- Removing debris and final clean up

• Location in the building

- Consider tools or equipment used to move heavy batteries from floor to floor

• Loading dock availability

• Distance from client site to EPA certified recycling facility

• Contracting with Hazardous Material certified driver

• Recycle lead acid batteries as per regulations

• Supply a Certificate of Recycling

• Insurance coverage in accepting responsibility and ownership of batteries destined for recycling

Quotes and rates vary greatly as the factors above change.

This is an example of a VRLA battery solution:

• UPS is sized for 100kVA/80kW

• The battery configuration provides 15 minutes of runtime

• The battery type is 12V/370Ah flame-retardant Valve Regulated Lead Acid battery

• Two strings, each 32 batteries, of 64 batteries complete and connected

• Deployed in an equal number over three shelves in a fully enclosed battery cabinet

The following work is required by the third party contractor decommissioning, removing and disposing the batteries:

• Battery system is de-energized

• No damaged batteries

• Disconnecting batteries

• Moving batteries from battery cabinet to pallet(s)

• Stacking and securing batteries

• Covering and appropriately sealing the pallet(s)

• Batteries are located on the ground floor

• Moving pallet(s) from computer room into a lift-gate truck

• Distance from site of decommissioning to EPA certified recycling facility is approximately 150 miles

• Certificate of Recycling issued

• Proof of pollution liability insurance in excess of $5,000,000

Total weight of the shipment is ~4,200 lbs.

The cost will be in the range of ~$2,500 – $3,000.

Unless the site is ultimately shutdown, the UPS system will require a new replacement battery system at the same time of the disposal of the end-of-life battery system. The cost of the replacement battery system in a similar battery configuration described above is ~$23,500 including installation and transportation.