Obaydah Alali wins ACE Student Award 2023
Obaydah Alali, Automotive student of Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven, won the Student Award of the Automotive Center of Expertise ACE on July 4, 2023, which took place at the Automotive Campus in Helmond. He carried out his graduation assignment at EDAG Netherlands BV. Alali researched the possibilities for reusing EV batteries and, based on the results of his research, came up with a real business model that EDAG can use to enter into partnerships with OEMs in the field of reusing lithium-ion batteries.
Extra life lithium ion batteries
In the research into the reuse of EV batteries, Alali focused on several aspects: “In the first part of my research, the focus was mainly on electric vehicles and the different types of lithium battery packs. Subsequently, I focused my research on energy storage systems and extensively studied recycling options and techniques to better understand the impact of phased-out batteries. Later I did a benchmarking study and I delved into the literature to learn more about second-life applications and to get more information about the classification methods previously used at companies that reuse.” Alali eventually developed a valuable reuse model to get the most out of lithium-ion batteries by giving these batteries an extra life.
This research therefore fits exactly in the vein of EDAG Netherlands BV: “Using this research, Obaydah has carried out an inventory and formulated concrete follow-up steps that contribute to the image of the reuse of batteries. This is an extra motivation for us to continue the collaboration with our German colleagues who are also working on this", says Pieter Assies, Managing Director at EDAG Netherlands BV.
Future plans
Alali is a passionate student who sees a bright future ahead: “I feel completely at home in the world of process optimisation. At the beginning of September I therefore intend to start working as a Production Engineer in the engine factory at DAF”. EDAG is also enthusiastic about his work mentality and sees Alali making big steps in the automotive industry, Assies: “Obaydah is a student that you as a company would like to have more of. He is entrepreneurial and communicative, but above all he has a very positive attitude. I am sure we will meet again in the future!”
ACE Student Award 2023
ACE Mobility has created the ACE Student Award to make the knowledge and innovation in automotive companies visible. Five nominated students from the Universities of Applied Sciences Fontys and HAN presented their research on 4 July at the Automotive Campus in Helmond to a three-person jury, consisting of Albie van Buel, Managing Director at RAI Automotive Industry NL, Loes Aarts, Senior Advisor Freight Transport at Rijkswaterstaat and Karel van Rooij, Director at Van den Broek Logistics, and to representatives of the automotive industry and education. Alali won the award, which consists of a 3 or 4-day Formula 1 trip to a GP in Europe for 2 people (including flight, hotel and race).