A circular Battery Economy for Community Resilience
Turning innovation into real world solution for a
more resilient Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico's Unique Opportunity
Puerto Rico is uniquely positioned to demonstrate how retired hybrid and electric vehicle batteries can become valuable community assets within a circular battery economy. This reuse-and-repurposing initiative responds to growing energy resilience needs and an expanding fleet of electrified vehicles while building strong partnerships among industry, universities, government, and local communities.
Renewable Energy Potential
There is enough daily solar energy to meet island electricity needs using panels on < 1% of Puerto Rico’s land.
Energy Resilience
Frequent hurricanes and grid disruptions highlight the need for reliable energy systems.
Energy Storage
Supports renewable energy, improves grid reliability, and provides backup power during outages.
Renewable Energy Potential
Retired batteries can be reused, repurposed, and responsibly recycled.
Building Puerto Rico's First Circular Battery Economy
The Technology and Education Center for Renewable Energy (TECRE) is establishing Puerto Rico's first community-centered Circular Battery Economy™. More than a battery reconditioning program, it is a long-term enterprise designed to strengthen communities through renewable energy, workforce development, education, and entrepreneurship. The figure shows how battery modules move through the Green Zone™, Yellow Zone™, and Red Zone™—extending battery life before valuable materials are recovered ultimately returned to the OEM battery supply chain.
Figure: The Circular Battery Economy
Turning Retired Batteries into Community Assets
Retired hybrid vehicle batteries still contain valuable energy long after they leave the road. Rather than treating them as waste, TECRE proposes transforming them into community assets that provide backup power, create skilled jobs, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen Puerto Rico’s energy resilience. This vision has already been featured in Northeastern University’s Powering Puerto Rico documentary. TECRE successfully repurposed retired Toyota hybrid battery modules into a solar-powered residential energy storage system that provided backup power for a family in Utuado. It serves as a proof of concept for how retired vehicle batteries can create lasting value for Puerto Rico’s communities.
From Vision to Proven Impact
Before founding TECRE, Dr. Eugene S. Smotkin founded NuVant Systems, Inc. in Northwest Indiana. Between 2002 and 2013, NuVant received support through Department of Defense and Department of Energy research programs, together with congressionally directed appropriations championed by Congressman Peter J. Visclosky.
Dr. Smotkin committed to turning that investment into lasting economic value—and NuVant delivered. The company developed electrochemical technologies used by universities, national laboratories, and industries worldwide while creating skilled jobs for scientists, engineers, technicians, manufacturing specialists, and administrative professionals. Many of these became some of the highest-paying technical jobs in the region, demonstrating how investment in innovation can strengthen both the economy and the workforce.
In recognition of these accomplishments, Congressman Visclosky entered a tribute to Dr. Smotkin into the United States Congressional Record. The official Congressional Record Index also includes a separate entry recognizing his induction as a Fellow of the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana.
Today, TECRE is applying the same philosophy in Puerto Rico. While the technologies and communities are different, the goal remains the same: create skilled local jobs, strengthen communities, and build an economy where the benefits remain in Puerto Rico.
TECRE Long-Term Vision
TECRE envisions a future where retired batteries are no longer viewed as waste, but as valuable resources that support community resilience, innovation and workforce development. Through collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and local communities, TECRE aims to help establish a model for circular battery stewardship that can be replicated beyond Puerto Rico.