IIT Madras Research Park comes out with first-of-its-kind large-scale 1MWh lithium-ion battery storage system

CHENNAI:

In a bid to end reliance on carbon emitting fossil-based sources and enable a complete transition towards a net-zero future, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Research Park (IITMRP)  unveiled the first-of-its-kind large-scale 1MWh lithium-ion battery storage system.

Unveiled in the presence of Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico, who is on a visit to the state, this large-scale battery storage solution is an important advancement in India’s energy sector.  

This ready-to-deploy and modular battery storage system, a first in India for a stationary storage system in a building campus (previously dominated by electric vehicle battery solutions), facilitates a cost-effective solution towards a renewable energy powered transition. The most significant challenge in achieving grid transition from thermal to green grid is the need to maintain sufficient storage to address daily variations in solar and wind power and IITMRP is working towards this by coming out with indigenous technologies.

This battery storage could be used in commercial complexes, said Kaushal Kumar Jha, chief executive officer at Centre for Excellence in Energy and Telecommunication (CEET). CEET is planning to come up with a 4MWh lithium-ion battery storage system in the next six months. Jha says the plan is to have a 1GW lithium-ion battery storage system.

Highlighting the cost benefit analysis of the system, IITMRP professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala said that IIT wheels 1 MW rooftop solar system, 4 MW of group captive solar and 2.1 MW of captive wind power off-site. This new storage system is fuelled with wind and solar energy and raises the campus's renewable energy share to 90%. This would result in net saving of Rs 2.51 per kWh

The Governor of New Mexico said they are looking at partnering with IITMRP on carbon capture and sequestration as well as accelerate opportunities for the private sector and education in the context of exchange. Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services of Tamil Nadu Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said there is huge potential for offshore wind in Tamil Nadu due to its extensive coastline. The government is working on policy, regulations, incentives, and infrastructure to facilitate improvements.

US Consul General Chennai Chris Hodges said, "“We welcome the visit of the New Mexico governor and are excited about the opportunities for new partnerships between Tamil Nadu and New Mexico in green tech and clean energy.  We are working constantly at the Consulate across a variety of fronts to promote new partnerships with American universities, American graduate students, American startups, and business in the arena of green technology.  We believe Tamil Nadu holds particular promise as a “green tech” destination, building upon its presence in solar and wind as well as an industrial base well suited to support new green-forward investments.  We look forward to deepening our partnership with IIT Madras Research Park to support this transition through further innovation and ecosystem building in the areas of EVs, green hydrogen, solar, and green buildings.”

EOM