New Technologies and Commercialization Critical for Global Leadership in Battery Sector

Experts express confidence at the inauguration of a two-day conference on Green Energy and Sustainable Development

Pune, July 24 – Green energy is not only essential for building a better world but also crucial from the perspective of global welfare and security. Work is already underway on the necessary infrastructure, and further research is emerging. The reuse of batteries after their lifecycle must also be considered. While lithium is in short supply globally, sodium is abundantly available. Hence, research is ongoing to use sodium in batteries. If India wants to attain global leadership in the battery sector, new technologies and commercialization will play a vital role, as emphasized by various experts in the field.

A two-day national conference titled “Emerging Battery Technologies: Indian Context for Commercialization” is being held on July 24 and 25 at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, to discuss the importance of green energy and sustainable development.

The inaugural session featured Dr. Reji Mathai (Director, ARAI Pune and Chairman, SAEINDIA), Prof. Sunil Bhagwat (Director, IISER Pune), Dr. Ravi Pandit (Chairman & Group CEO, KPIT), Dr. Anita Gupta (Scientist G, Advisor & Head, CEST, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India), Mr. Shrikant Marathe (Chairman, LWT Group), and Prof. Satishchandra Ogale (Director, RISE, TCG Crest and Professor at IISER).

The conference is jointly organized by SAEINDIA, IISER, ARAI, VigyanDeep Foundation, LWT, TCG Crest, and Technovus.

Dr. Ravi Pandit stated, “Currently, we are in the era of lithium batteries, but we are actively looking for alternatives. If successful, this research could transform the future of the battery industry. China is already far ahead in this area. Technology development and its commercialization are two separate aspects that must be approached from different perspectives. If policymakers, technologists, and industries work together, India can achieve international leadership in this domain. The government also appears to be making sincere efforts in this direction.”

Dr. Anita Gupta said, “Due to the rising population, carbon emissions are increasing significantly. Research is ongoing to reduce these emissions in various ways. Infrastructure development is also being pursued to support alternative energy sources. However, considering the growing population and rapidly changing technologies, further research is necessary.”

Dr. Reji Mathai added, “Battery research is not just about one factor; multiple aspects are involved. Effective research must also be conducted on battery recycling after their lifecycle ends. If policymakers, academic institutions, and industries work together, the right products will emerge, which can then be commercialized. India is making progress in this field and gradually reducing its dependency.”

Prof. Sunil Bhagwat said, “The development of society is closely linked to energy. Unfortunately, energy sources are limited, hence the focus has shifted to renewable energy sources. Batteries are currently the only viable means to store energy produced from these sources. Lithium, a key component in batteries, is not produced in India. However, sodium is abundantly available worldwide. Research is underway on sodium-based batteries, and if successful, it could bring significant change to the energy sector.”

Prof. Satishchandra Ogale, who gave the welcome address, said, “Significant research on batteries is underway in India. Efforts are also accelerating at the government level to make India self-reliant in battery technology. We are confident of achieving success in this sector soon. The objective of this conference is to enhance collaboration between academic institutions, startups, and the industrial sector, thereby progressing more effectively toward energy self-reliance.”

The conference was hosted by Aparna Deshpande. Mohan Patil proposed the vote of thanks. Contributions by Sanjay Nibandhe, Keshav Tamhankar, Prakash Sardesai, Shamsundar, and Arankalle were instrumental in the success of the event.

Focus on Commercialization of Battery Technologies:

The conference saw participation from leading scientists, researchers, industry experts, policymakers, and representatives from higher education institutions across the country. In-depth discussions were held on the commercialization of battery technologies, the importance of indigenous research, and emerging technologies driving India’s e-mobility revolution. A poster presentation competition was also organized for students from technical institutions across India.

Topics Discussed:

Research and commercialization of sodium-ion batteries

New battery materials and management systems for the EV sector

Indian policies and investment opportunities for energy storage capacity

Importance of collaboration between R&D institutions and startups