Energy Storage Systems (ESS)
How can Bebat help you?
As a producer, importer or installer who puts Energy Storage Systems (ESS) on the Belgian market, you must comply with the legal take-back obligation.
The solution offered by Bebat depends on the weight of the ESS modules you put on the market.
- ESS modules up to and including 200 kg with environmental contribution
- ESS modules above 200 kg with administrative contribution and guarantee
ESS modules ≤ 200 kg with environmental contribution
As of 1 January 2022, Bebat introduced an environmental contribution for Energy Storage Systems (ESS), including home batteries. As a Bebat participant you will need to pay this contribution at the time when the battery is put on the market and not when it is taken back in the future.
Which batteries are we talking about?
The environmental contribution applies to energy storage battery modules with a weight ≤200 kg that are linked to a decentralised energy production installation for electricity, regardless of where they are installed, with the exception of lead batteries. This includes modules for residential (home batteries), commercial and/or industrial use. Batteries that have backup purposes as their main function, so-called UPS batteries, are not included.
The environmental contribution is calculated per kg. To determine the weight of the battery, you should take the weight of the battery/module that has the serial number on it, including the casing if there is one. The inverter and BMS (Battery Management System) should only be counted if they are integrated in the casing.
To be clear, this does not include traditional batteries, such as AA, AAA, button cells, etc.
ESS modules > 200 kg with administrative contribution and guarantee
The Pay as you Collect principle applies. What does this mean? For ESS modules > 200 kg that do not fall under the environmental contribution, as a producer/importer you pay a small administrative contribution of € 0.053 /piece (module) (excl. VAT) when putting them on the market. Later, when collecting them, you pay the effective price for transport, dismantling and recycling at that time. Bebat can help you with this through an individual contract.
In addition, the European Battery Regulation (Art.58.7) requires you as producer/importer to provide a guarantee if the end-of-life cost is not paid in advance. That way, the cost is also covered in case of bankruptcy or discontinuation. The guarantee can take the form of a pledged account, a bank guarantee at first request or an insurance, in the name and at the expense of you individual producer/importer and with the government as beneficiary.
So you need to take a number of steps when putting such modules on the market. It is best to pass on a cost to your customer so that you have sufficient financial resources when the batteries reach their end of life.
Attention!
Bebat notes that the market for large ESS is evolving significantly from air-cooled to liquid-cooled batteries, with the result that the weight per module usually exceeds the 200 kg limit. Many companies are now faced with the complexity of the Pay as you Collect system and have asked Bebat to take steps in the short term to also subject ESS modules > 200 kg to the current environmental contribution of €2.89 / kg (excl. VAT).
List ESS ≤ 200 kg - History
Bebat has made a list of ESS with their weight, chemical family and the amount of the environmental contribution. This list is not exhaustive and is supplemented with information received from participants.
What does this mean for you as a manufacturer, importer or installer?
For all ESS ≤ 200 kg that you put on the market from 1 January 2022 onwards, as a participant of Bebat you pay an environmental contribution. This contribution covers the costs of registration, prevention, awareness-raising, collection, dismantling, processing, recycling, reporting to the authorities and research & development to find out whether the batteries can be given a second life (pay-as-you sell).
In other words, all costs are covered. This means that at the time of take-back at the end of the batteries' life cycle (8 to 10 years later), you should not expect any more costs.
What does this mean for you as a consumer?
From the 1st of January 2022 onwards, the companies affiliated to Bebat will have to pay an environmental contribution to Bebat when the ESS is put on the market.
If your supplier is affiliated to Bebat, or can provide proof that he has purchased the ESSfrom a company affiliated to Bebat, you can be assured that your battery will be taken back free of charge at the end of its life, even if your supplier no longer sells ESS or is bankrupt at the time of disposal.
