IIT Kanpur Startup Offgrid Energy Labs Introduces its ZincGel Technology for Energy Storage Market

Backed by investors including Shell Ventures, Ankur Capital, and APVC Singapore, IIT Kanpur startup Offgrid Energy Labs has introduced its first innovation - rechargeable zinc-based battery ZincGel® technology in the global energy storage market.

To solve three key problems with current battery technologies i.e. imbalanced performance, environmental impact, and high prices, the company is reimagining these vectors by incorporating unique design, using commonly available recyclable materials, and driving efficient performance through a modular battery technology platform, ZincGel®.

Targeting not just the stationary storage market segment, Offgrid Energy Labs’ ZincGel® technology provides modular solutions for low-powered mobility applications as well.

With over 15 patents, designs and trademarks for its innovation, ZincGel® battery-tech with breakthrough science, aims to outperform conventional energy storage batteries in terms of power density, battery life, and cost-efficiency.

The company has been primarily focusing on renewables energy storage, microgrids, electric vehicle charging and grid applications in utilities.

ZincGel Battery technology has energy efficiency at par with a lithium-ion battery with twice the life cycle and negligible operational cost - thereby saving up to 30 per cent cost for energy storage projects.

The company believes that ZincGel® technology is a credible alternative to lithium-ion technology in most stationary and low-powered mobility applications.

Commenting on the development, Tejas Kusurkar, Co-founder & CEO of Offgrid Energy Labs said “this is a significant milestone for us. We have designed ZincGel® as a modular platform that can be tweaked basis application requirements. With the ability to prioritize between charging speed, temperature stability and energy density, our innovation is focused on addressing a wide variety of stationary & low powered mobility applications.”

“We are here to transform the narrative from Lithium-Ion battery packs to sustainable battery storage serving both the stationary as well as mobility applications. Demand for batteries is set to skyrocket soon not just in India, but across the globe. What differentiates ZincGel® technology is innovative chemistry, design and democratized materials. We look forward to announcing further strategic pilots that solve vexing problems in the energy storage space,” said Rishi Srivastava, Co-founder, of Offgrid Energy Labs.

Ritu Verma, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Ankur Capital said, “As a deep science investor we at Ankur are very excited to be partnering with the Offgrid Team. Their novel battery chemistry opens up a range of applications from fast charging to stationary storage solutions for the renewable power sector. The price points, sustainability of materials being used and pilot partnerships that OffGrid has tied up with were all reasons for us to invest. We believe the market for such solutions is growing rapidly as we shift towards more renewable energy generation and mobility across the board.”

Meanwhile, the company has been relied heavily on building partnerships to take ZincGel® products to market and is also evaluating manufacturers for their products in India and around the world.