Charged for Change: Assessing the Potential of Repurposed Lithium-Ion Batteries as an Energy Storage for Rural Healthcare Facilities in Mozambique

Abstract

Access to reliable electricity is essential for delivering safe and effective healthcare. However, many rural healthcare facilities in Mozambique operate without power or experience frequent and prolonged outages. This thesis investigates the potential of repurposed end-of-life (EoL) lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) as an energy storage solution in such contexts.

Based on fieldwork in local settings and on-site at three healthcare facilities, interviews at three healthcare facilities of varying sizes in Inhambane Province, and combines with interview with key stakeholders, the study examines the current energy situation, identifies key opportunities and outlines the main challenges.

The findings indicate that EoL LiBs have the potential to improve energy reliability, reduce dependency on diesel generators and enable expanded medical services. Realising this potential requires addressing infrastructure limitations, financial constraints and long-term maintenance. With appropriate support, repurposed LiBs could offer a scalable and sustainable solution to strengthen rural healthcare systems and advance broader development goals.

Popular Abstract

Powering Rural Healthcare with Second-Life Batteries
This text is a popular science summary of the Master of Science (MSc) thesis by Emma Stork Edhall and Hilda Steinvall at Lund University (LTH), which explores the potential of second-life batteries to improve rural healthcare in Mozambique.

What if old batteries could help save lives? In many rural parts of the world, healthcare centres struggle with medical- and electricity shortages. Without power, it becomes almost impossible to maintain cold chains for vaccines and medicines, operate medical equipment or even provide light during nighttime. This thesis shows how repurposed lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles could offer a surprising solution.

Reliable electricity is critical for delivering healthcare services. Close to 1 billion people in low and lower-middle-income countries are still served by healthcare facilities that either have no access to electricity at all or rely on highly unreliable supply. Mozambique is one of the countries affected by the dual challenge of unreliable energy and a lacking healthcare system. With just three doctors per 100 000 people, it has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the world. In many parts of the country, especially in rural areas, healthcare facilities struggle with frequent power outages reducing their ability to deliver basic and emergency care.

One promising solution to improve energy access is the repurposing of batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have become a dominant energy storage method due to their high efficiency, flexibility and accessibility. With the largest installed capacity of lithium-ion batteries expected in EVs, they will play an important role in renewable energy storage systems. Many electric vehicle batteries reach their end of life after about 10-15 years, at this stage they might be unsuitable for vehicles but still viable for stationary energy storage applications. Repurposing such batteries could therefore extend their lifespan by an additional 7-10 years.

This thesis investigates whether end-of-life lithium-ion batteries can be repurposed to support rural healthcare facilities in Mozambique. Through fieldwork at three clinics of different sizes in Inhambane Province and interviews with healthcare staff and energy experts, the existing energy conditions are assessed and both opportunities and challenges identified. The findings show that second-life EV batteries have the potential to improve the stability of electricity supply, allowing healthcare clinics to offer more reliable and higher quality services. However, the success of such systems depends on investment in infrastructure, reliable maintenance plans and access to external funding. A repurposed battery is only part of the solution and must be integrated into a well-supported and sustainable energy system.

With the right support, repurposed electric vehicle batteries could offer a practical and scalable way to strengthen rural healthcare in Mozambique and improve lives in some of the world’s most underserved communities.

• author: Stork Edhall, Emma and Steinvall, Hilda
• supervisor: Marcus Lundgren
• organization: Department of Energy Sciences
• course: MVKM01 20251
• year: 2025
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: battery repurposing, energy access, energy storage, lithium-ion batteries, rural healthcare, Mozambique
• report number: ISRN LUTMDN/TMPH-25/5631-SE
• ISSN: 0282-1990
• language: English
• id: 9192690
• date added to LUP: 2025-06-09 13:34:18
• date last changed: 2025-06-09 13:34:18