REconnect Summit 2026: Energy Storage Pivotal for India’s Clean Mobility and Grid Stability

Energy storage is fast emerging as a cornerstone of India’s clean mobility transition and grid stability strategy as the country accelerates the deployment of renewable energy and electric mobility infrastructure, experts said during an industry panel at the REconnect Summit 2026.

The session, titled, 'Storage-Backed Clean Mobility and Grid Stability,’ took place in Nagpur, organised by Energetica India, and was moderated by Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Singh, Chief – Energy Security at CII. The panel featured industry leaders such as Shailesh Telang, Head of Asia Pacific at EnergyTag; Sunil Dahiya, Founder of Envirocatalysts; Amol C. Gadgge, Director at Smarttsun Power Pvt. Ltd.; and Rajkumar Medimi, Executive Director at Trinity Cleantech Pvt. Ltd..

Panelists noted that the sharp increase in solar power capacity has amplified challenges linked to intermittency, peak demand management, and grid balancing, making battery energy storage systems (BESS) increasingly critical. Storage-backed renewable energy projects were seen as key to delivering firm, reliable, and dispatchable clean power.

The panel observed that corporate demand for round-the-clock renewable energy is rising globally, driven by climate commitments and tightening international reporting and disclosure standards. Emerging frameworks were cited as likely to require time-matched or hourly alignment between electricity consumption and clean energy supply, elevating the role of storage-backed renewables in meeting compliance requirements.

From an operational standpoint, the mismatch between daytime solar generation and evening demand was highlighted as a structural issue for the grid. The panel underlined the importance of batteries and advanced energy management systems in addressing this imbalance and reducing dependence on conventional peaking power sources.

Energy storage was also discussed as an evolving standalone commercial model. Panelists pointed to the growing viability of battery-based power arbitrage, where electricity stored during low-cost daytime periods can be supplied during high-demand hours, improving project economics and supporting grid reliability.

Further, concerns were raised over regulatory uncertainty related to tariffs, grid charges, net metering provisions, and battery degradation risks. The panel cautioned that delays in large-scale storage deployment could result in higher renewable energy curtailment and reinforce long-term dependence on coal-based generation through extended power purchase agreements.

The discussion also linked storage-backed renewables with electric mobility, noting that clean power supported by batteries can significantly reduce the cost of EV charging, particularly during evening and night hours, while easing pressure on distribution networks.

The panel further highlighted the growing relevance of international trade mechanisms such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), expected to come into force in 2026. For Indian exporters in energy-intensive sectors, time-matched clean electricity supported by storage was identified as a key requirement for maintaining competitiveness in global markets.

Concluding the session, panelists emphasised that consistent policy frameworks, long-term planning, and collaboration among policymakers, utilities, developers, and mobility operators will be essential to scaling storage-backed clean energy solutions and ensuring grid stability as India advances towards its climate and energy transition goals.