Govt. actively supporting research projects for enhancing energy storage tech: Dr. Jitendra Singh
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the government is supporting research projects for enhancing the technology for storage of energy.
Numerous academic institutions and Research and Development laboratories pursuing research work on storage of energy:
- Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur)
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati)
- Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad)
- Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar)
- Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune
- International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI) Hyderabad
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI)
In the last three years, the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has supported 92 projects in the domain of energy storage which has resulted in more than 150 scientific publications.
Four "Materials for Energy Conservation and Storage Platforms" (MECSP) have been set up for the development of energy storage materials and systems at the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and Nonferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Hyderabad.
Notable advances have been made in the development of Li-ion batteries, energy storage devices for wearable applications, thermal energy storage using phase change materials, graphene-based supercapacitors, flow batteries, etc.
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory Body under the DST has supported 46 projects to facilitate the research work on developing the technology for storage of energy. Advancements are made in the field of metal-based air electrodes, electroactive polymer nanocomposites, hybrid DC bus power supply, utilization of agricultural waste as an electrode material, lead-free disordered ferroelectrics, etc.
International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous Research and Development Centre of DST has developed a high-power supercapacitor with indigenously developed activated porous carbon from Petroleum coke.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is working on creating a supply chain of different indigenously made battery-grade raw materials and components required for manufacturing the Lithium-ion cells of cylindrical and prismatic configurations for various applications ranging from solar lanterns, power banks, E-bikes, E-scooters, and UPS systems.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has supported National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay and the development of super-capacitors by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Uttaranchal University under "Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme".
Ministry of Power (MoP) has provided financial support to Off-grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Programme to public service institutions for installation of battery-backed off-grid solar power plants/ packs.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG)is working in Aluminium-Air batteries under the 'National Program on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage'(NPACC).
Students and young researchers are getting engaged in energy storage research through enhanced opportunities for training and capacity building. Students are also inspired to take up research in this domain through open house forums conducted by various laboratories to showcase the outcomes of the projects. As a result of these efforts, more than 300 students are pursuing higher research in the storage of energy which is contributing to the development of a critical mass of researchers for the development of energy storage technology.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), through its integrated skill initiative programme is providing hands-on practical learning/ training to students in the rural areas of India on market/industry-driven courses.
