It has been a promising year for energy storage. After the initial hurdles of demand and supply and then the pandemic lockdown, 2021 managed to not only smoothen the path for ES but also raise hope.
When we compare the ES growth charts of 2020 with 2021, we do see a distinct rise in figures in the latter year. Especially concerning EVs, where the growth is almost double. The forecast for the decade (2020-2030) by Customized Energy Solutions, for the total battery potential in ES in India shows a remarkable y-o-y increase; more in EV than stationary usage.
It might have looked like things were inching forward, but today the industry seems to be gaining momentum, in magnitude as well as direction. All stakeholders of the storage industry have been responsible for bringing about this change – the manufacturers, the associations, the policymakers, the vendors…
The campaign to start manufacturing locally has made headway with policy support by way of ACC PLI and other sops. With global demand for battery storage rising (consequent to rising in use of EVs), the need to scale up manufacturing capabilities around the world has been felt. Europe, the USA, China, etc., are investing in home-grown battery production, creating a robust supply chain that is not dependent on imports.
In India too, investments in setting up giga-sized facilities for battery cell manufacturing have been encouraging. Work towards establishing a strong supply network is also underway. Like the recently launched India Battery Supply Chain Council by IESA, for creating a raw material ecosystem for the Giga factories. Various R&D efforts are also being made that are bringing the industry and academia together to innovate and enhance technology.
At the recently held Round Table Conference in Goa to promote e-mobility, organized by the Ministry of Heavy Industry, the government expressed its intention of working closely with the various sectors to develop manufacturing strengths to cater to e-mobility and energy storage requirements, not only in India but globally.
Union Minister (MHI) Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, feels Indian companies have the potential to achieve that, and they just need to believe in themselves. Echoing the sentiment, Amitabh Kant urged the industry participants to look at the world as the market – "make in India, for the world".
The world is waking up to the destructive forces of climate change; we need to undo the damage that decades of 'advancement' have caused. At the same time, we need to accept the fact that progress cannot be stalled, but the cost we have to pay for it can be curtailed. We have to find ways to green the path and clean the air as we move ahead.
Needless to say, energy storage will play a pivotal role in gathering this pace towards the electric transformation. India cannot be left behind in this great transition to green energy. We need to up the ante too; we need to invest in the making of this bright future.
India cannot be left behind in this great transition to green energy. We need to up the ante too; we need to invest in the making of this bright future.
We need to believe it can be done, and that it will come about. All quests will find solutions when there is movement. If we stop, we may as well dig a hole and fit in.
What we need is an impetus, and this is perhaps what this year has been for us - a springboard. All we need to do is take the leap of faith. And be ready.