REconnect Summit Coimbatore: Experts Urge Faster Energy Storage and EV Infrastructure

A number of Indian states, including Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, have adopted energy storage targets. Rajasthan has set a goal of 10 GW by FY2030, offering exemptions on transmission and wheeling charges, while Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have also mandated storage targets under their broader renewable energy policies. However, wider adoption of storage solutions across states remains essential to meet the CEA’s projected energy storage requirements for 2048.

In line with these developments, industry leaders gathered at 'REconnect Summit 25' in Coimbatore, orgasnied by Energrtica India and held a panel discussion on Tamil Nadu’s energy storage and EV charging ecosystem, titled ‘Tamil Nadu’s Solar Storage and EV Scenario’. The panelists included, Dr. Sathish Suri, Managing Director of GreenPath Energy & Sustainability Services,Varun Chopra, Executive Chairman of Gear India, Paravastu Rambabu, CSO of Greenko Group and Advisor to World Bank Group, Ramesh T.N., Head - Technical Services of POM Systems & Services Pvt. Ltd., Vishnu Prasad, AVP of lakshmi Electrical Control Systems (LECS).

The experts opined that large-scale adoption of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and smart EV infrastructure would be critical for achieving round-the-clock clean power, while cautioning that grid readiness and recycling infrastructure remain key challenges.

Ramesh, who was also the moderator for the panel discussion, said that energy storage had moved from an optional technology to a grid necessity. He further noted that state governments were mandating two to six hours of storage to manage load shifting and balance transmission networks. He said BESS had become the backbone of renewable-heavy grids as solar and wind capacity scaled up rapidly.

Dr. Suri said that India’s electric mobility ambitions would place significant strain on the power system. He added that the country was targeting 30 per cent EV penetration by 2030 and warned that additional electricity demand could reach nearly 500 GW, raising concerns about grid preparedness. He further noted that the transport sector accounts for nearly 15 per cent of global and Indian CO₂ emissions and said states such as Tamil Nadu, being manufacturing and automotive hubs, were well positioned to lead the green transition.

Prasad, said that achieving 24×7 clean power would require integrated planning at plant, substation and consumer levels. He pointed out that rooftop solar, localised storage and efficient battery design must work together to manage curtailment and intermittency. He also highlighted rapid technology cost declines, stating that lithium-ion battery prices had fallen sharply in recent years, improving commercial viability.

Chopra, said the logistics and material handling sector was steadily shifting from diesel and lead-acid systems to lithium-ion-powered electric equipment. He said lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries were emerging as the preferred chemistry due to safety, heat tolerance and cost advantages, and that the transition would significantly reduce operating costs for industrial users.

On technology suitability for Tamil Nadu’s hot and humid coastal climate, the panelists said LFP batteries were currently the most reliable option, while sodium-ion and flow battery technologies were gaining traction. They said that solid-state batteries were nearing commercial readiness and could become a game changer in the coming decade.

Discussing industrial adoption under open access and group captive models, the speakers said policy support would be critical. They recommended viability gap funding and targeted incentives to make large-scale storage projects financially attractive.

On EV charging infrastructure, Dr. Suri said that India currently has about 16,200 charging stations and nearly 26,000 charging points, while the requirement by 2030 could rise to over 1.3 million stations and more than 2.6 million charging points. He said scaling up renewable generation to meet this demand would be essential to avoid grid instability.

The panelists also flagged the challenge of grid congestion caused by simultaneous fast charging. Prasad noted that charging point operators and utilities must share real-time demand data, particularly across high-traffic EV corridors, to help utilities prepare adequate capacity. He highlighted time-of-day tariffs and smart grids as key tools to shift charging loads to off-peak hours and reduce grid stress.

On microgrids and decentralised energy systems, Chopra noted that regulatory clarity and stronger financial incentives would be necessary to encourage deployment in industrial clusters and remote regions. He cited the Union Budget allocation of INR 35,000 crore for net-zero initiatives as a positive signal for the sector.

Addressing recycling and repurposing, Dr. Suri warned that India was currently unprepared for the upcoming surge in battery and solar waste. He said early-generation renewable projects would begin retiring by 2030 and electronic waste volumes could cross 100 million metric tonnes annually. The panelists cited China’s structured recycling roadmap as a model that India could adopt.

Panelists said that repurposing EV batteries for stationary storage could extend battery life and reduce overall system costs. They referred to the Government of India’s August 2023 notification mandating lithium-ion battery recycling, which enables recovery of up to 90 per cent of critical minerals through advanced hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes.

Summarising the discussion, the panel said Tamil Nadu has strong potential to lead India’s storage-led energy transition due to its manufacturing base, renewable capacity and automotive ecosystem. However, they cautioned that the transition would require coordinated action across policy, technology development, grid modernisation and recycling infrastructure to ensure sustainability goals are achieved.

The session concluded with a call for closer industry–academia collaboration, particularly involving IIT Madras and Anna University, to accelerate commercialisation of next-generation battery and storage technologies.