French grid operator taps recycled batteries to lower energy bills

Morbihan Energies, the department’s distribution network manager, has installed eight energy storage systems supplied by Sirea, which will be used in particular to reduce electricity costs for municipalities in the region.

French energy storage cabinet manufacturer Sirea announced the new delivery at the end of 2025. The project marks a pilot initiative in which eight battery storage cabinets using recycled batteries have been deployed by Morbihan Energies. The primary goal is to lower electricity bills for local authorities, with the potential for the model to be replicated if results prove successful.

Of the eight systems, seven will be used to optimize grid connections, prioritizing charging during off-peak hours. The stored energy will then be dispatched during peak periods, when electricity prices are higher. Sirea’s management software enables dynamic optimization based on each municipality’s tariff schedule. The company notes that the system is flexible: “With the introduction of new tariff plans, including daytime off-peak hours, these smart batteries can adapt to continue optimizing electricity procurement costs from the grid.”

The eighth cabinet will be paired with a photovoltaic canopy to supply power to charging stations.

All of Sirea’s solutions are designed and manufactured in Castres (Tarn department), a factor that strongly influenced Morbihan Energies’ choice. The public entity owns and manages the network on behalf of all 249 municipalities and 13 inter-municipal public cooperation establishments (EPCIs) in the department. “More than €30 million are invested annually in our electricity network,” explains the syndicate, which co-invests alongside concession holder Enedis, according to project management allocation rules.

From pv magazine France