IESA Advocates Green Energy Solutions to Combat Air Pollution Crisis

On the occasion of National Pollution Prevention Day, the Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) has called for urgent government action to address India’s worsening air pollution crisis.

With over one million lives lost annually to air pollution, as reported by recent studies, and Delhi emerging as the second most polluted city globally with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels surpassing 1,200 in some areas, the situation demands immediate intervention.

The industry body has urged the government to replace diesel generators (DGs) in commercial and industrial establishments with green storage solutions and to mandate electric vehicles (EVs) as the second vehicle in households.

Air pollution, particularly from particulate matter (PM 2.5), poses severe health risks across India. A significant contributor to urban air pollution is stationary diesel generators, responsible for 18 percent of emissions, according to findings under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) launched in 2019. Despite restrictions on DG usage in Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas, inconsistent power supply has hindered enforcement. IESA highlights the pressing need for comprehensive measures to curb emissions from DGs and shift toward cleaner energy alternatives.

Debi Prasad Dash, President of IESA, stressed the necessity of reducing reliance on conventional fuels and adopting energy storage solutions. He pointed out that facilities such as hospitals, malls, and hotels heavily depend on diesel generators, which can be replaced by advanced technologies like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Dash also proposed integrating a Public Service Layer (PSL) system for BESS as a backup solution, a model already implemented in various global cities.

In addition to transitioning commercial infrastructure, IESA advocates mandating EVs for families purchasing a second vehicle. Dash noted that such a move could significantly reduce vehicular emissions, particularly in urban centers like Delhi, which have been grappling with deteriorating air quality for over five years. The alliance emphasized that government policies supporting EV adoption and renewable energy could lay the foundation for sustainable urban ecosystems.

IESA further recommends that State governments enforce the Green Building Code, mandating rooftop solar systems paired with BESS as a sustainable alternative to diesel-based power. Drawing inspiration from the Green Telecom initiative by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), such policies could transform India’s approach to energy usage and pollution control.

The alliance called on Central and State governments to ensure the effective implementation of these measures, urging them to monitor progress and provide advisory support for adoption in other metros facing similar challenges. These measures, IESA stated, are critical for reducing emissions and fostering a clean energy transition.

Founded in 2012, IESA is dedicated to advancing energy storage, e-mobility, and green hydrogen technologies. Representing over 170 member organisations, the alliance is committed to making India a global hub for clean energy innovation and adoption.