IITM Research Park Launches 1MW Battery Storage System

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) Research Park has launched the first-of-its-kind large-scale 1MW lithium-ion battery storage system. It was inaugurated in the presence of Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico.

Dwelling on this technology, the IITM press release said, "This technology is indigenously designed and developed by the Centre of Excellence in Energy and Telecommunications (CEET) and is part of IITM Research Park’s 10X initiative, 'Towards 100 percent Renewable Energy'."

It further said, "As buildings move towards installing their own renewable energy systems, reliable storage solutions are imperative. However, the unavailability of such technology remains a challenge, underscoring a critical gap. 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 EV battery solutions), addresses this gap by providing a cost-effective solution for a renewable energy-powered transition."

"Now fully operational, this energy storage system is fuelled by wind and solar energy, raising the campus’s renewable energy share to 90 percent. It will serve as a model for commercial complexes and manufacturing units aiming to transition to entirely green energy while remaining profitable. IIT Madras Research Park has formed the 'Zero to Green Alliance' to replicate this approach widely across buildings and the industrial sector and aims to drive actions to accelerate towards a net-zero future," said the Institute in its release.

Following the launch, a roundtable discussion, joined by Tamil Nadu IT and Digital Services Minister Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan, was held with select delegates from industry, startups, and academia. The focus was on climate change and renewable energy, devising strategies on how the research park and the United States can collaborate in co-developing technologies. Industry leaders and startups from the Research Park, along with IIT Madras professors and subject matter experts, shared expertise on sustainable heating and cooling, large storage batteries, hydrogen, solar and wind energy, sustainability, recycling, and cybersecurity for energy systems.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said, “We are moving as quickly and decisively as possible away from fossil fuels. We are in a technological race to the top in this transition. This partnership aims to ensure we are leading in carbon capture and sequestration as well as demonstrating that we can accelerate opportunities for the private sector and education in the context of exchange.”

Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan 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.” He commended IIT Madras Research Park as a vital asset across domains for attracting investments, fostering innovations, and adding value through the exchange of ideas.

The discussion and introduction of the large-scale battery storage solution mark an important advancement in India’s energy sector, ending reliance on carbon-emitting fossil-based sources and enabling a complete transition towards a net-zero future.