From Car Batteries to Airports: Used Batteries Become a Source of Clean Energy in Rome

Rome – Fiumicino Airport has just launched ‘Pioneer’, a project that gives new life to used batteries from electric vehicles. Instead of being discarded or wasted, 762 batteries from Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis cars have been transformed into an energy storage system with a capacity of 10 MWh—enough to power 3,000 homes in a day.

The project is more than just a technological innovation. It reflects how circular solutions and clean energy can go hand in hand. Amid the world’s urgent need for stable renewable energy, Pioneer emerges as a solution to one of the biggest challenges: storing solar energy when the sun shines and wind energy when the wind blows.

Launched by utility company Enel and airport operator ADR, Pioneer stands at the Fiumicino Airport complex, which serves more than 50 million passengers annually. It is directly connected to a solar farm with a capacity of 22 MW, producing up to 30 GWh of energy per year.

During the day, when the sun is shining, energy is absorbed and stored. At night or when it’s cloudy, the “retired” car batteries take over.

“This project is a concrete example of our strategy: combining innovation, sustainability, and cross-sector collaboration,” said Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma.

Breathing New Life Into Once-Used Technology

Every single battery module is tested and analyzed to ensure maximum performance. The result? A powerful energy storage system—efficient (with efficiency levels over 85%) and long-lasting.

It’s not just about recycling. It’s about repurposing—changing the purpose of a battery from powering vehicles to storing clean energy. A major step forward in a circular economy model that is becoming increasingly relevant during the climate crisis.

The Pioneer system is operated by Enel’s smart platform, DER.OS, which uses cloud technology and artificial intelligence. It monitors weather, forecasts energy demand, battery condition, and even market prices to determine when energy should be stored or released to the grid.

Decisions are made every minute. The result: more efficient energy use, longer battery life, and a more flexible electricity system.

Emissions Down, Hope Up

Over the next 10 years, the system is expected to avoid the release of more than 16,000 tons of CO₂e—equivalent to charging 32 billion smartphones. Funding of €3.1 million from the EU Innovation Fund has helped make the project both real and economically viable.

“Pioneer is proof that innovation is the best ally of the energy transition. It accelerates electrification while giving batteries a second life,” said Francesca Gostinelli, from Enel X Global Retail.

Pioneer isn’t just about technology. It’s a roadmap for airports and major infrastructure players looking to reduce their carbon footprint. It proves that with collaboration, determination, and the courage to try new things, a future of clean energy is not just a dream—but a reality that can be built today.