The increasing graph of the global energy ecosystem in India is estimated to cement India on the roadmap of becoming the largest market for advanced energy storage technologies within the next 5 years. With a view to further propagate this vision and to bring industry leaders on a single platform to discuss the growth prospects and roadblocks for the sector, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) India’s leading alliance on energy storage & e-mobility organized its flagship virtual conference and exhibition – India Energy Storage Week (IESW) from 3rd- 6th November along with Pre –Conference Workshops on November 02, 2020.
India is on the right path towards adopting energy storage backed by the exponential growth of Behind the meter and Grid scale storage market, being deployed globally to support the renewable energy integration. Energy storage market in India is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% by 2026 with the global energy storage investment projected upto $100 billion in the next five years. The Industry is witnessing a significant rise in the number of companies supplying energy storage systems and big companies formulating R&D initiatives for energy storage. State Governments like Delhi and Telangana have recently announced the policy to create a conducive ecosystem for EV adoption in the respective states. Investments have been upraised in the sector with more than 50 companies receiving funding from Indian conglomerates for service-side innovation, BMS, Thermal management, etc. Through India Energy Storage Week, IESA envisioned paving ways towards accelerating India’s E-mobility journey, the market size and potential, the unending opportunities in the sector and the global impact on the sustainability of energy resources.
The five-day flagship event featured thought-igniting sessions on Make in India, Global EV manufacturing ecosystem, Regulatory and Policy on electric mobility, R&D, Skill Development, Capacity building, and many more. Two parallel energy storage workshop tracks allowed delegates to learn from hands-on experience of industry leaders and will provide in-depth understanding of advanced technologies and solutions.
Some of the eminent dignitaries included Shri Suresh Prabhu (India’s Sherpa to G20 & G7, Member of Parliament), Shri Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi (Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), Shri Sanjeev Chawla (Director, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), Shri Anil Srivastava (Principal Consultant & Mission Director, NITI Aayog) , Shri Jayesh Ranjan (Principal Secretary to Government of Telangana, Industries & Commerce (I&C) Department, & (ITE&C ), Shri Sameer Pandita (Director, Bureau of Energy Efficiency), Dr P C Pant (Former Advisor, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), Dr. Rahul Walawalkar (President & MD, Customized Energy Solutions-India), Mr. Sanjay Banga (President T&D, Tata Power), Mr. Naveen Munjal (Managing Director, Hero Electric Vehicles), Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani (Founder & CEO, Kinetic Green Energy & Power Solutions), Mr. Rohit Modi (President & Country Head, SB Energy (Softbank Group), Mr. Vikram Gulati, Senior Vice President & Country Head, Toyota Kirloskar Motors), Mr. Anshul Gupta, (Director, Okaya Power), and many more.
During India Energy Storage Week (IESW), IESA launched MIGHT (Mobility and Infrastructure with Green Hydrogen Technology) Initiative to focus work on hydrogen production, storage and applications including stationary power generation, transportation and other usage in India. As part of this initiative, IESA organised two dedicated sessions on hydrogen and fuel-cell and also partnered with Innovation Norway and Business Finland for India – Nordic Collaboration for Hydrogen Economy.
Furthermore, IESA organised a dedicated session on “Women in Energy Storage & EV’’ on 2nd November in order to promote the women participation in these emerging areas. IESA also launched an informal women’s group “IESA-WEN (ESA- Women in Energy Network)” where women can take advantage of various IESA activities throughout the year and invites women leaders to join the group. IESA will also work with 100+ members to increase participation of women in this emerging sector.
At the global event, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in association with IESA and Customized Energy Solutions (CES) also announced the launch of UNIDO FLCTD – Energy Storage Innovation challenge. Startups and leading companies are invited to apply for the innovation challenge before 18th December to get a grant of upto USD 50,000 for demonstration projects and beta deployments in energy storage & e-mobility space in India.
Summing up the key insights of the event, Dr. Rahul Walawalkar, President & MD, Customized Energy Solutions (CES) India, stated, “The recent developments and trends in the energy sector project India as a growth-centric, investor-friendly and environmentally conscious country. The third largest automotive market in the world- India is setting its course for a future where road transport is powered by zero emissions and the EV market is anticipated to grow at a robust CAGR of 43.13 percent during the period – 2019 to 2025. Energy storage thus holds enigmatic importance, IESW brought together global leaders
stakeholders to uncover the possibilities of making India a global hub of EV manufacturing in times to come. We’re overwhelmed by the response received from the industry during India Energy Storage Week (IESW) and look forward to the 2021 event.”
Shri Anil Srivastava, Principal Consultant & Mission Director, NITI Aayog said, “It is great to see the industry being upbeat about the e-mobility sector. The size of the e-vehicle value chain is pegged to be around $5 billion by 2025 which also makes a case for accelerating the adoption of e-mobility in the country. I strongly believe that the disruptors like a battery, transport as services, and electric vehicles will lead the market growth. It is for the ecosystem, stakeholders, and industry to make the most of the policy incentives that have been provided for the e-mobility sector.”
Shri Sanjeev Chawla, Director, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) said, “We aim to prepare the youth ready for the newly emerging sector in the country. From 1st July 2020, the definition of MSME has broadened. A lot many companies will be covered under this new spectrum. MSME Funds of Fund is a new kind of funding for equity infusion under MSME. Credit Guarantee of Loan for MSME covering guarantee up to Rs. 2 crores with limited collateral. Intervention Loan is also one of the new initiatives. The Credit-linked Subsidy Scheme is also one of the helpful schemes for MSME development. The Champion Desk is set up to guide the entrepreneur to solve their issues in setting up new businesses. During COVID-19, the Emergency Credit Line was set to solve the liquidity issue for the MSME entrepreneurs.”
Shri Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Principal Secretary to Government of Telangana, Industries & Commerce (I&C) Department, & (ITE&C Department) said, “The willingness of the masses to adopt e-mobility made a case for implementing effective charging infrastructure in the state. We were fortunate to have Fortum to come forward and help us set charging infrastructure along with IOCL and Powergrid Corporation. The electric storage system is integral for the success of e-mobility. One area which we looked into is the standardization of equipment which is required. Our target is to ensure 100 charging stations to be established in the state. I do believe, greater adoption of e-vehicles will address some of the burning issues around the sector. We are looking to create a conducive environment for making the state a hub for innovation and development.”
Dr R Harikumar, Director in Charge, Energy Management Centre- Kerala, The first State Government in India to establish an Energy Management Centre (EMC) at State level said, “ While working on energy efficiency, we found the net energy consumption has increased. We call it the rebound effect and it is a great challenge. Be it any sector, the growth of waste is also one of the key challenges that has been observed. In India, taxi aggregators are increasingly promoting the use of e-vehicles. ICT has come in a big way in the transport sector. Battery as a service must be promoted. ICE vehicles need to be replaced with battery-operated electric vehicles for reducing emissions to a greater extent. We need to branch out our training programs to more professionals other than budding engineering students and include non technical students as well and make them industry-ready.”
As part of the event, IESA hosted a global start-up outreach program hosted in association with UNIDO, supported by Invest India, Startup India, and TiE Global, with a view to propel India’s drive to a greener future with electric vehicles. In the presence of 10+ jury board from the investment community, 12 start ups in energy storage, e-mobility, clean energy, and clean transportation were shortlisted from over 40 applicants. IESA will take forward the Start-up pitch to the next level with year long engagement with start-ups and support in investment and mentorship. The three winners of the programme were Minion Labs Private Limited (Energy Management), Navalt Solar & Electric Boats Pvt. Ltd (e-boats), and Jeevtronics (Energy) who were felicitated with a complementary IESA membership and mentorship from IESA Leadership Council.
On 3rd November, IESA also felicitated the pioneers and stalwarts in energy storage, EV and microgrid industry with the fourth edition of IESA Industry Excellence Awards powered by Customized Energy Solutions, to recognize the best of companies, projects and leaders in Energy Storage, microgrids and Electric Vehicles industry. Indian conglomerate Larsen & Toubro was awarded the ‘Microgrid project of the Year’ Award while Husk Power bagged the ‘Microgrid company of the year’ Award. The ‘EV Company of the Year – 2W’ was awarded to Hero Electric, while Kinetic Green was adjudged as the winner of ‘EV Company of the Year in 3-Wheeler segment’. The Award for ‘EV Charging Infrastructure project of the Year’ was bagged by Fortum; ‘EV Charging Infrastructure Company of the Year’ was Exicom Tele Systems. While the ‘Emerging Company of the Year- EV Charging Infrastructure’ Category went to Okaya Power, and Energy Efficiency Services Limited was announced the ‘EV Charging Infrastructure Service Provider of the Year’. Epsilon Advanced Materials and Delta Electronics bagged the ‘Technology Innovator of the Year award.’ ESS Project of the Year was bagged by ‘AES for their Grid Connected Utility Scale Storage Project in Delhi.’ The “Electric Vehicle Emerging Company of the Year” bagged by Bounce (Wicked Ride Adventure Services). While Delhi bagged the “Energy Storage and EV Policy Leadership Award for States for their EV Policy”. Emerging Leader of the Year was bagged by Mr Anant Nahata of Exicom Tele Systems and Policy Pioneer of the Year bagged by Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog. The Woman Leader of the Year are Dr Judy Jeevarajan, Research Director, Electrochemical Safety, Underwriters laboratories and Ms Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO of Kinetic Green Energy & Power Solutions. The Lifetime Achievement Award is Mr Rakesh Malhotra, Founder of SAR group. In addition to these, IESA collaborated with Earth Day network for Great Global Cleanup Hero Campaign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The winners of the campaign are ‘For Impacting the Urban’ is Mr Madhukar, Founder of Rise Foundation, ‘For Encouraging the Children in School’ is Mr A D Gomes, Principal of St. Augustine’s Day School, ‘For Mobilizing Youth and Social Media Outreach’ is Mr Rumit Walia, Founder of Tears of the Earth, ‘For Inspiring and Mobilizing Women’ is Ms Neha Ankit Kadakia, Founder of Hastaksharr, ‘For Awareness in the Rural’ is Ms Aakriti Tamrakar.
With an intent to facilitate international trade, IESA’s annual conference witnessed global partnerships from 20+ countries, 50+ regulators & policy makers, 300+ industry leaders, 50+ partners & exhibitors, and 2000+ delegates. The conference is a dedicated effort towards bringing the key stakeholders together to make India a global hub for R&D and manufacturing. The vision is backed by eminent dignitaries from NITI Aayog, Department of Science & Technology (DST), The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and many more.