Bachelor and Master Theses

Today electric vehicle (EV) batteries have been considered as enablers for creating new business opportunities in the form of second life applications. Potential second life applications include different kinds of stationary energy storage systems in industrial, residential, and commercial applications, providing services such as integration with solar panels and wind turbines, peak shaving, back-up power, energy arbitrage, demand-side response, fast charging, frequency response, asset optimization, grid services, mobile power for use in remote or temporary locations, and off grid backup. The vast majority of solutions are aimed at solving stationary problems and do not require movement to meet the needs of the customers. However, there are potential markets also for solving short-term tasks through mobile solutions, for example, construction, emergency, etc. Therefore, companies see a future in the direction of mobile solutions based on second life EV batteries.

Many OEMs, energy utility companies, and recycling companies have taken this explorative journey of second life and are considering how to improve their internal and external competences, organizational structures, and capabilities to realize second life applications. In the early phases of these initiatives, one of the major concerns for companies is to know the commercial feasibility and cost effectiveness of these solutions since there is market immaturity and lack of serious commercial applications. Hence, there is a need for a detailed examination on identifying potential customers for mobile second life applications, their needs and requirements, and their purchase intentions etc.

Purpose and Possible research questions.

The purpose of the thesis is to identify and analyse the second life electric vehicle batteries mobile application scenarios from customer perspectives with the consideration of customers’ needs, requirements, challenges, purchase intensions, etc. Based on the analysis, the thesis could propose the critical factors that could determine customers’ purchase intensions relating to mobile second life applications of EV batteries. The thesis could apply behavioural theories from business or innovation, or other management related areas to frame and analyse the topic. The thesis will be guided by following research questions:

• What are the needs and requirements of current and potential customers regarding mobile second life applications of EV batteries?
• What are critical factors that could determine customers’ purchase intensions relating to mobile second life applications of EV batteries?
•  How to improve the customer-provider interface in the mobile second life applications of EV batteries?

Research method and context.

The thesis employs qualitative case study research approach and data collection will be done through semi-structured interviews, workshops, observations, and documentation. In the initial phase, a systematic literature review will take place for understanding the existing knowledge, research gaps, and potential questions to ask in the study. The thesis work will be performed as part of the research project called RECREATE (Secondary life management of electric vehicle batteries), where partner companies include Volvo CE, Volvo Group Circular Operations, Alstom, Mälarenergi, Eskilstuna Strängnas & Miljö, and KPRO. More information is available at MDU webpage. The empirical data collected from partner companies during the thesis work will be used by the researchers in the Recreate project for further analysis. If there is any possibility for a research publication, you would be included as co-authors.

Other information

Timeline: 6 months (from January 2023 until June 2023)

Number of Students: 1 or 2

Project is done at: RECREATE partner companies’ existing/potential customers

If you are interested, you can contact us:

Koteshwar Chirumalla, Associate professor in product and production development, koteshwar.chirumalla@mdu.se

Ignat Kulkov, Postdoc in digital servitization and ecosystems, ignat.kulkov@mdu.se

Master in Production or Product development or Industrial engineering or Innovation and Design.

If you are interested, you can contact us:

Koteshwar Chirumalla, Associate professor in product and production development, Koteshwar.chirumalla@mdu.se

Ignat Kulkov, Postdoc in digital servitization and ecosystems, ignat.kulkov@mdu.se

The thesis work will be performed as part of the research project called RECREATE (Secondary life management of electric vehicle batteries), where partner companies include Volvo CE, Volvo Group Circular Operations, Alstom, Mälarenergi, Eskilstuna Strängnas & Miljö, and KPRO.