NTPC Simhadri to Pilot Indigenous Iron-Air Battery Technology for Long-Duration Energy Storage

A pilot project has been planned at NTPC Simhadri Thermal Power Station to  evaluate an indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology for Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES)  applications. The project will be implemented by Atal Incubation Centre – Anna University (AIC-AU) at NTPC Simhadri through its technology partner, Meine Electric, with the objective of assessing the  technology under utility operating conditions. 

The pilot project will evaluate the technical performance, operational reliability and operational characteristics of the indigenous Iron-Air Battery system under real-world conditions. The study is expected to generate valuable operational data and insights into the suitability of the technology for  long-duration energy storage applications, enabling reliable 24×7 clean energy, enhancing grid flexibility and supporting future applications that require enhanced operational flexibility. 

Meine Electric is the first company in APAC and the third globally to pioneer Iron-Air Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technology. Its proprietary Fast Charge Long Discharge (FCLD) technology, which enables a six-hour charge and 18-hour discharge, has also been independently validated by Customised Energy Solutions (CES), the parent company of the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). CES Battery Laboratory testing assessed the technology's electrochemical performance, capacity retention and operational stability under a six-hour charging and 18-hour discharging cycle, providing third-party validation as Meine Electric advances towards larger-scale demonstrations and commercial deployment.

As India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, long-duration energy storage is expected  to play an increasingly important role in improving grid reliability, managing renewable energy  variability and supporting a more flexible and resilient power system. The pilot project is expected to  contribute towards the development and evaluation of indigenous energy storage technologies while generating valuable learnings for future applications. 

Through the AIC-Anna University initiative, Meine Electric will be responsible for the development,  system integration and performance monitoring of the Iron-Air Battery system. The operational data  and technical insights generated during the pilot will provide an important benchmark for further  technology development and future commercial-scale deployment. 

Speaking on the collaboration, Priyansh Mohan, Co-Founder and CEO, Meine Electric, said, "We are honoured that our indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology has been selected for implementation under this pilot project planned at NTPC Simhadri Thermal Power  Station. The project provides an important opportunity to demonstrate the technology under utility  operating conditions and generate valuable performance data that will help accelerate the development of cost-effective long-duration energy storage solutions for India's evolving power  system."

Speaking on the partnership, Kishore Kumar.S, CEO, AIC - Anna Incubator, said, "Our mission is to catalyze high-impact innovations that solve critical national challenges. Supporting Meine Electric in deploying India's indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology at NTPC Simhadri is a major step toward achieving scalable, long-duration energy storage. This collaboration highlights how academia, startups and public sector leaders can work together to strengthen India's clean energy ecosystem and accelerate our transition to a resilient, sustainable grid.”