Eight out of ten batteries that underwent repairs at TERA Batteries were able to be returned to service. This result comes from approximately 50 interventions, and although the company acknowledges that the sample size is still limited, it reflects the economic and industrial potential of diagnosing a battery pack before replacing it entirely.
From Alicante, TERA built its identity around a challenge that is just beginning to gain scale in Europe: determining what to do with electric vehicle batteries when they fail, lose performance or cease to be suitable for mobility.
The company specialized in diagnostics, repair, refurbishment, and valorization, seeking to prevent the premature disposal of modules that still retain usable capacity. Building on this experience, it began developing second-life applications and energy storage solutions.
The shift was not accidental. The electric vehicle fleet is growing at a slower pace than projected, and the volume of batteries reaching the end of their first life remains limited. Faced with this scenario, TERA decided to transfer its expertise to a market with more immediate business opportunities.
“We saw that this segment could become massive in seven to ten years, but we needed to shorten that timeframe to generate revenue. Energy storage was a perfect fit with our expertise and allowed us to start billing sooner than expected,” explained David Santiago , CEO and founder of TERA Batteries.
The new front: 400 MWh for industries and businesses
The new phase focuses on behind-the-meter storage. TERA states that it is currently working on around 150 projects for the commercial and industrial sectors , with different characteristics and needs, which together represent approximately 400 MWh.
“We are very focused on developing storage projects using BESS systems for the C&I segment, where we are detecting growing demand and significant development potential,” said the CEO.
The portfolio includes initiatives at various stages, although the company has not yet specified how many are under study, contracted, under construction, or close to becoming operational. It also did not disclose their combined capacity in MW, the planned implementation schedule, or the total investment required to complete all the projects.
He did mention that he will soon be able to provide details about some installations. For the time being, his strategy involves analyzing each opportunity individually and determining which system can best meet the client's needs.
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“We don’t see storage as a standard product that is simply distributed or sold. Our strength lies in developing solutions tailored to the real needs of each client ,” Santiago said.
The applications can vary considerably from one industry to another. Some companies seek to store surplus energy from their photovoltaic installations for use when generation falls; others aim to reduce peak demand, optimize contracted power, or have backup power for their critical loads.
“Each installation has different characteristics in terms of consumption, photovoltaic generation, contracted power, demand profile, backup needs and profitability objectives,” he explained.
Therefore, the 400 MWh figure does not correspond to a single product or a configuration repeated 150 times. The capacity, power, and operating mode of each BESS are determined based on the user's energy consumption and the potential savings the battery could generate.
TERA's model covers everything from the initial study to operation. "We cover the entire project cycle, from technical and economic feasibility and profitability analysis, through design and sizing, to installation, commissioning, and subsequent after-sales service," the executive explained.
“The issue is not simply installing more storage capacity, but installing the right capacity for each need and ensuring that the system generates the maximum possible value throughout its lifespan ,” he added.
The progress on BESS coincides with the strengthening of its industrial structure. The Alicante plant has a pilot valorization line with the capacity to characterize more than 1,000 tons of batteries per year and plans to progressively incorporate more automation.
This expansion is further complemented by the agreement with NING SERVICE, a company integrated into CATL's global maintenance network. The alliance incorporated TERA into the manufacturer's after-sales structure and required adapting processes, traceability, and quality standards to international operations.
Technology plays a central role. Their system combines data acquisition, algorithms, and artificial intelligence to determine the state of health of a battery, identify anomalies, and decide whether it can be returned to the vehicle, given a second life, or should be sent for recycling.
This expertise can also translate into significant savings. In a MINI Countryman PHEV, a complete battery pack replacement had been quoted at €15,500. TERA diagnosed and repaired the battery for less than €6,000, saving the owner over €9,500 .
With repairs as its starting point, CATL as a strategic partner, and BESS as a means of expansion, TERA seeks to evolve from electric mobility towards a broader participation in the energy ecosystem. It must now convert its still-developing portfolio into concrete installations and demonstrate whether its battery expertise can scale to become a second major business driver.