30, Nov 2023
IIT Roorkee Leads Comprehensive Study on Advanced Grid-Scale Energy Storage Technologies, Unveiled by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

New Delhi, November 30, 2023 – Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Shri BS Bhalla released a comprehensive study titled “Advanced Grid-Scale Energy Storage Technologies,” conducted by IIT Roorkee under the leadership of Prof Arun Kumar in the august presence of Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, International Solar Alliance and Prof KK Pant Director, IIT Roorkee, at Atal Akshaya Urja Bhawan, MNRE, New Delhi on Nov. 29, 2023. This innovative initiative explores diverse energy storage solutions vital for India’s sustainable energy future.

This study explores diverse grid-scale energy storage solutions crucial for India’s sustainable energy future and addresses critical aspects of the power sector, emphasizing the need for a resilient and sustainable energy landscape in India. It puts forth actionable recommendations to enhance renewable energy integration and improve grid-scale energy storage efficiency, marking a significant step towards achieving India’s renewable energy goals.

Policy Recommendations for Power Sector Vision: The National Tariff Policy and the National Electricity Policy are urged to explicitly outline a vision for the power sector, encompassing energy storage. Specific directives are proposed to amplify the role of energy storage targets for each licensee. Attractive tariffs are recommended to incentivize ancillary services and frequency regulation. Additionally, the study proposes the introduction of a storage purchase obligation for relevant utilities to bolster energy storage adoption further.

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Regulatory Framework for Enhanced Flexibility: Regulators are advised to review and revise Grid Codes to promote greater flexibility in power generation, accommodating the evolving landscape of energy storage technologies. Clear and distinct energy storage ownership remuneration rules are recommended by regulators, aligning with existing frameworks for transmission, generation, and distribution companies. These rules are envisaged to address diverse purposes and ensure a level playing field.

Techno-Economic Analysis of Grid-Scale Storage Technologies: Five prospective grid-scale storage technologies—pumped storage, Li-ion batteries, vanadium redox flow batteries, compressed air energy storage, and thermal energy storage—have undergone comprehensive life cycle techno-economic analysis. The analysis reveals that pumped storage stands out as the most cost-effective option, with a levelized cost of storage at INR 3.91/kWh without the cost of pumping power and a global warming potential of 0.12 kg CO2 eq /kWh.

Comparative Advantage of Pumped Storage: The levelized cost of storage for pumped storage is 40% of the cost to lithium-ion batteries. The CO2 emissions associated with pumped storage have been estimated to be 25% lesser as compared to lithium-ion batteries.

Import Dependency and Made-in-India Content: Presently, none of the energy storage technologies exhibit 100% made-in-India content, with significant variations in import percentages. Pumped storage (PSP) leads in terms of domestic content with over 90% while acknowledging some equipment imports. Other technologies, especially batteries, necessitate raw material imports, highlighting the need for strategic considerations in the pursuit of self-reliance.

These findings underscore the need for proactive policy measures, regulatory frameworks, and strategic investments to propel the adoption of advanced grid-scale energy storage technologies. The study, a collaborative effort between MNRE and IIT Roorkee, sets the stage for informed decision-making and transformative initiatives in India’s renewable energy landscape.

Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, International Solar Alliance also an Alumnus of IIT Roorkee, acknowledged India’s global leadership in renewable energy adoption and emphasized the critical role of energy storage in grid stability and RE deployment. He commended the report, stating, “India has emerged as a global leader in adopting renewable energy technologies at scale. With the rapid adoption of these technologies, energy storage becomes critical for grid stability. This report is a welcome and apt effort in that context, offering valuable insights for the sustainable advancement of our energy landscape.”

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Shri BS Bhalla, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), stated, “I acknowledge the efforts of the IIT Roorkee team, under the leadership of Prof. Arun Kumar, for their comprehensive study focused on India. The report is anticipated to play a pivotal role in empowering stakeholders in the energy sector, particularly in advancing the deployment of clean energy and energy storage solutions in the country. Aligned with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, the report carries significance in fostering self-reliance, specifically in the sustainable grid-scale energy storage domain. I look forward to gaining insights on energy storage, indigenous manufacturing, and the deployment of renewable energy, which I believe will make a significant contribution to our national goals.”

Prof. KK Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, expressed gratitude to the ministries for their support, emphasizing the report’s role in shaping policies for the accelerated adoption of clean energy technologies in India. He reaffirmed IIT Roorkee’s commitment to nation-building through focused, India-centric research and technical education and said, “This study reinforces our commitment at IIT Roorkee towards nation-building through focused India-centric research and technical education. The report is poised to play a crucial role in shaping policies for the accelerated adoption of clean energy technologies at scale in India, offering a strategic roadmap for a sustainable and resilient energy future.”

The unveiling of the Advanced Grid-Scale Energy Storage Technologies study represents a significant stride in India’s commitment to fostering innovative and sustainable energy practices. Distinguished dignitaries, including Shri BS Bhalla, Secretary to the Government of India, MNRE; Dr. Ajay Mathur, DG, International Solar Alliance; and Prof. KK Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, graced the event. This gathering serves as a pivotal platform for discussions on the technical, economic, and policy aspects of grid-scale energy storage technologies.

The release event also welcomed key figures like Shri MAKP Singh, Member Hydro Central Electricity Authority, Shri Rajnath Ram, Advisor Energy Niti Aayog, and Shri SR Narashimhan, CMD, India Grid Controller, alongside senior officials from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and renewable energy developers.

This comprehensive study positions IIT Roorkee at the forefront of cutting-edge research, showcasing its dedication to providing India-centric solutions for a sustainable and resilient energy future. The “Advanced Grid-Scale Energy Storage Technologies” report not only reflects India’s commitment to innovation but also serves as a strategic guide for policymakers, industry players, and stakeholders navigating the dynamic energy landscape.

24, Nov 2023
Honourable Governor of Jharkhand, Sri C P Radhakrishnan confers Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence

24 November 2023, Bangalore: A blind really did lead the blind and this is the story of Mrs Mukta Dagli, who has brought light into the lives of several blind children by giving them ‘Education’ and helping them lead dignified lives. Mrs Kalavati, who got married off at an early age of 14, lived all her life at a slum in Kanpur and transformed the slum into a hygienic haven of ‘Health’ by building more than 400 latrines. The title of ‘Women Water Champion’ was conferred on Mrs. Renuka Kotambar, who made several drought-prone regions of Maharashtra water-secure and took several steps to conserve water for the ‘Environment.’

Doing anything for ‘Woman and Child Welfare’, Mrs. Bhagashri Lekhami dissuaded conservative parents from getting their daughters married off at an early age but instead helped them pursue education. To protect the dignity of women, she has helped with toilet construction; she educates girls about menstrual hygiene, and helps women access basic healthcare. Dr. Mahe Tilat Siddiqui, a Muslim by birth, but a ‘sanatani’ at heart, she embraces all religions and has done extensive work on ‘Ramayana’ to translate it into Urdu.

Sri C P Radhakrishnan confers Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence

The name ‘Artikrafts’ goes after Arati Hiremath, who has revived the ancient embroidery ‘Fine Arts’ form of ‘Kasuti’ and trained more than 850 women to make ‘Kasuti’ sarees. Let children learn to play and the rest, including their health, education, and skills development will be taken care of is the motto with which Ms Priya Nadkarni dedicated her life to hone the sporting skills of children.

The eminent jury members for this year’s award ceremony were Prof JS Rajput, Dr Gururaj Karajagi, Dr J Shashidhara Prasad, Dr. Anita Saxena, Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Ms. Donna L Goodman, Mr. Ravi Singh, Dr. Sajeeda Begum, Ms. Gayathri B Kalia, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Dr. Sudha Ragunathan, Mrs. Tanusree Shankar, Ms. Gulshaa Begum, Prof Samuel K Samuel, Swami Mitrananda, Swami Nikhileswarananda and Dr. Hafeezur Rahman, Dr. Sunil Gavaskar, and Mr. Somdev Kishore Devvarman.

It was an exciting evening on the 23rd, when this unique University – Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence, which confers completely free-of-cost education to rural students including ‘free medical education’, organized the Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence on the occasion of the 98th Birthday Celebrations of the 21st-century spiritual master, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The man behind this unique mission that continues the legacy of Baba, to provide free nutrition, education, and healthcare to all, is Sri Madhusudan Sai, a disciple of Baba. He is today, one of the youngest social and spiritual leaders who has been leading a mission of ‘service and spirituality’ for the last 11 years, touching the transforming the lives of millions of people across 33 countries.

Sri C P Radhakrishnan confers Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence

The Honourable Governor of Jharkhand, Sri C P Radhakrishnan spoke thus:

“Sri Sathya Sai Baba is known by millions all over the world as a humanitarian and spiritual master who preached the message of Love All Serve All. Sri Madhusudan Sai is following Baba’s follow steps and has achieved so much in just the last 11 years. His mission, the Sri Sathya Sai Global

Humanitarian mission relives the ancient Indian ideal of vasudhaiva kutumbakam and provides free nutrition, free education from KG to PG including medical education, and free healthcare to all. ‘Serving humanity is serving God’, and Human Excellence is to bring out the goodness in every human as service to fellowmen. Awarding women serving rural areas is the most befitting thing to do for this time and age, and it is simply a testimony to the power of love and compassion.”

Sri Madhusudan Sai said: “I congratulate all the seven women who have done exemplary work in their respective fields, and selflessly worked for the betterment of others. It is simply an example of how much a woman can achieve if she decides to achieve. Bharath lives in rural areas—this is true 75 years ago and even now. To achieve the vision of a developed nation, rural India has to develop.

A developed nation is one in which every citizen of the country can access of good nutrition, education, and healthcare. We need to work for the upliftment of the people in rural areas, and hence this year’s award was themed for ‘Rural Upliftment.’ We are here to set the right kind of ideal examples of selfless service. Working for the welfare of all, by all is the idea of ‘One World One Family’, which is the very motto of our mission.”