Energy Storage

Rooftop solar is moving from being a supplementary solution to becoming a central component of India’s energy architecture. The next phase of growth will not be defined by panel installations alone but by how effectively generation is integrated with storage, digital intelligence, and grid infrastructure.

Sunsure Energy, founded in 2014, has evolved from a solar developer into a clean energy solutions provider delivering integrated power solutions across solar, wind, and battery storage. Kartikeya Sharma, co-founder and chief business officer at Sunsure, speaks to pv magazine on the key trends reshaping India’s renewable energy landscape, the rising role of battery storage, and Sunsure’s plans for the market.

Three years after acquiring US-based Cuberg, Swedish battery maker Northvolt has decided to shut down the California unit and move future lithium-metal battery R&D to Sweden.

The need for long-duration energy storage in a net-zero world is undeniable but with conventional battery prices tumbling, can anything dislodge the mainstream grip of lithium ion? S&P Global’s Susan Taylor provides an update on non-lithium storage technologies.

NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) has signed a memorandum of understanding for the blending of green hydrogen in the gas networks of Gujarat State Petroleum Corp. Ltd and green hydrogen mobility by setting up of green hydrogen fuelling stations in Gujarat. It has also signed an MoU with Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd to develop a green hydrogen ecosystem, including production of green ammonia, for export and domestic market.

Fourth Power, backed by Bill Gates’ venture firm, has developed high-density thermal energy storage based on thermophotovoltaic cells. The tech, which is reportedly 10 times cheaper than lithium-ion batteries, is based on the U.S. company’s patented liquid metal heat transfer system.

Shyam Metalics’ entry into battery-grade aluminum foil at scale will support domestic Lithium-ion battery production.

To decarbonize the grid, India needs to add 40-50 GW of grid-scale renewable energy (solar and wind) capacity every year for the next few decades and phase out coal.  

While the current policy regime supports the adoption of flexible resources like batteries, grid flexibility and resilience require more focus and a range of calibrated efforts, including due acknowledgment as a sector priority and robust planning at the central and state level. The upcoming union budget provides an opportunity for the government to develop flexible and resilient grids.

Batteries are set to drive the energy and mobility transitions. Worryingly, when they degrade early or excessively – particularly because of misuse – it can be costly. Claudius Jehle, the CEO of volytica, explains how a better understanding of batteries can prevent expensive mistakes.