- Exide Leclanche Energy Pvt. Ltd. brand is an exclusive JV in India between Exide Industries Limited and Leclanché, Switzerland
- The 0.52 Megawatt hour grid-connected system, set up in collaboration with Tata Power DDL will provide the path for wider adoption of grid-scale energy storage technology across India
NEW DELHI – Exide Leclanche’sNexcharge in collaboration with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) today inaugurated India’s first Grid Connected Li-ion battery-based Community Energy Storage System at Rani Bagh, Delhi. The 0.52 MWh Battery energy storage system at TPDDL’s Rani Bagh substation will provide peak shaving, var compensation, and deviation settlement mechanism based on frequency response at substation level with power backup to preferential consumers in case of a grid outage.
Exide Leclanche Energy Pvt. Ltd. brand is an exclusive joint venture in India between Exide Industries Limited, the country’s largest-selling battery company, and Leclanché SA, the Swiss large-format lithium-ion cell conglomerate executed the project; utilizing a Global Project Team approach wherein teams from US, Europe, and India collaborated towards the project. The 0.52-Megawatt hour grid-connected system owned by Exide Industries Limited and Leclanché SA will provide the path for wider adoption of grid-scale energy storage technology across India.
Speaking about the initiative, Stefan Louis, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Technology Officer, Exide Leclanche Energy Pvt. Ltd. said, “Battery-based energy storage (BESS) provides the agility to better integrate intermittent solar and wind energy resources into India’s electric grid and ensure high-quality power for consumers. A Community Energy Storage System like this will ensure consumers get to experience better levels of stability, reliability, quality, and control. Both customers and distributors will benefit from this service. We are very happy to partner with Tata Power DDL to set up this new 0.52 MWh grid-connected system, which will pave a new path for wider adoption of grid-scale energy storage technology across India. It’s another step towards all Indians accessing smart sources of energy.”
The storage facility was inaugurated by Shri Satyendar Kumar Jain, Hon. Minister of Power, PWD, Health & FW, Industries and Gurudwara Elections, Govt. of NCT of Delhi in the presence of Stefan Louis, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Technology Officer -Nexcharge and Ganesh Srinivasan – Chief Executive Officer – Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ganesh Srinivasan, Chief Executive Officer – Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited said, “We are proud to associate with Nexcharge for setting up country’s first Grid Connected Community Energy Storage Systems (CESS) at the community level. This will further strengthen our network and ensure reliable and quality power supply to our consumers at all times. Instead of building a humungous infrastructure of transformers and electric equipment, CESS can be used to meet peak demand while storing surplus power. I believe wider adoption of such ‘CESS’ will help in balancing the load curve of discoms and make them future-ready.”
Talking about the multi-MNC joint venture to create Nexcharge, Gautam Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer, Exide Industries Limited said, “We have long endeavored to develop alternate state-of-the-art technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and energy storage solutions as an important step in tackling the impact of climate change on the environment. Leclanché SA has proven to be an apt partner in this cause bringing superior technology, modules, and battery management systems, as well as immediate access to engineering resources to build market-ready products and solutions.”
Anil Srivastava, Chief Executive Officer – Leclanché SA further added, “It is a huge honor that Leclanché has been chosen by Exide Industries, India’s largest battery manufacturer, to partner them in their quest to help India achieve its zero-emissions goals and reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. We look forward to delivering the best that Leclanché SA has to offer: superior cell technologies, IP, and knowhow that combines high-quality German engineering and Swiss precision with deep experience in the design and implementation of battery storage solutions.”
Battery storage systems are emerging as a potential solution for integrating solar and wind renewables in power systems across the globe. In light of the ongoing climate change crisis, renewable and sustainable sources of energy are the need of the hour, especially when India’s commitment to the contribution has been touted at 175 GW by 2022.
