The first phase of the National Workshop on Renewable Energy Integration through Energy Storage Systems (ESS) was organized on May 8, 2025, at the Northern Regional Power Committee, New Delhi. Conducted in hybrid mode, the workshop saw participation from over 300 attendees, including officials from MNRE, PSUs, DISCOMs, RE and ESS developers, and manufacturers. The event was inaugurated by the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, who emphasized the increasing role of energy storage in ensuring grid stability and supporting India’s renewable energy transition.
The workshop began with a welcome address by Shri Rajesh Kumar, Chief Engineer, CEA. This was followed by several technical sessions. The first session included a presentation by Shri Abhishek Ranjan, CEO of BRPL, who shared insights from Delhi’s recently commissioned 20 MW/40 MWh BESS project. The project, completed in about two years, was developed by Kilokari BESS Pvt. Ltd. on a BOOT basis and funded 70% through concessional debt from GEAPP. Key features of the project included safety measures against thermal and electrical hazards and value stacking through various use cases like reactive power support and black start capability.
Dr. Kuldeep Rana from MNRE discussed policy and fiscal measures to accelerate energy storage deployment. Shri Sharvan Kumar, Chief Engineer at CEA, presented Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), detailing their benefits and current status across states, and highlighted the concept of off-stream PSPs.
Another session led by the IRP division of CEA explored the co-location of BESS with solar power. A study showed that while adding storage increased costs slightly, it significantly improved grid reliability and renewable energy use. Shri Vijay Menghani from CEA introduced the STELLAR Resource Adequacy Tool for long-term energy planning. This tool, developed with The Lantau Group, was demonstrated using a case study of Madhya Pradesh. It showed that integrating BESS could reduce coal dependency, improve system reliability, and generate substantial savings.
In the session on industrial solutions, companies like Newen Systems, Replus, and Phoenix Contact presented their innovations. Newen highlighted their 4.5 GW PCS and EMS facility in Vadodara and plans to supply 1 GW globally by October 2025. Replus showcased an all-in-one cabinet BESS for DG set replacement and installations in cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Phoenix Contact discussed their BESS control system used in Delhi’s BRPL project and their All Electric Society Park concept.
SECI representatives shared updates on solar + BESS and standalone BESS tenders. Tariffs have fallen significantly, from ₹6.99/unit in 2018 to ₹3.09/unit in 2024 for solar + BESS, and from ₹11.25 lakh/MW/month to ₹2.80 lakh/MW/month for standalone BESS in April 2025. SECI also presented a case study from Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, where a 1.4 MW solar + 1.4 MWh BESS plant has reduced diesel dependency and improved energy reliability. Another project under development in Himachal Pradesh will operate in challenging conditions, addressing voltage support and energy shifting.
The workshop concluded with remarks from the Member (Planning), CEA, and a visit to the BRPL BESS site in Delhi. Recommendations from the workshop included establishing a national BESS testing lab, standardizing battery connectors, and expanding hybrid solar + storage models to other islands.
