Jaipur, Oct 28 Electricity distribution company Jaipur Discom and global not-for-profit organisation GEAPP will explore the use of a sodium-ion battery energy storage system for storing renewable energy at the transformer level to maintain intermittent supply during peak demand.
The two entities on Wednesday announced the launch of a pilot project to test the new technology and sought proposals from industry players to develop a 250 kilowatt-hour (KWh) battery storage system at KL Saini Stadium in Jaipur’s Mansarovar area.
The request for proposal (RFP) was issued on the second day of a national conference of electricity distribution companies here.
The project will examine whether sodium-ion batteries can help manage peak electricity demand at the local level and improve the use of power generated by rooftop solar installations, an official statement said.
The battery energy storage system will be installed at the distribution transformer level to assess whether storing electricity closer to consumers can help maintain supply during periods of high demand, it said, adding that the project will also test sodium-ion technology as an alternative to widely used lithium-ion batteries under Rajasthan’s climatic conditions.
Jaipur Discom will provide the site, technical personnel and operational data for the project, while GEAPP will assist with system design, performance monitoring and technical support. It will also train engineers of the power distribution company.
The two organisations will share the findings with other electricity distribution companies in the country to help them assess the suitability of sodium-ion battery storage systems for their networks.
Rajasthan government’s Energy Secretary and Discoms Chairperson Arti Dogra said that the impact of rising electricity demand during peak hours was first felt at the distribution transformer level.
She said the pilot project would help assess whether battery storage could reduce the burden on transformers, store electricity generated by rooftop solar panels and improve the functioning of the distribution network.
The experience gained from the project would help power distribution companies make better decisions on installing energy storage systems in the future, she said.
GEAPP India Country Head Tanya Singhal said energy storage would play an important role in India’s electricity grid in the coming years and distribution companies should have reliable battery technology options beyond lithium-ion.
She said testing sodium-ion batteries on a working transformer in Rajasthan would provide actual operational data rather than relying on estimates.
GEAPP is a global non-profit organisation that works with public, private and philanthropic institutions to promote clean energy.
(PTI News)
