India is slowly positioning itself to embrace battery technology, and in a country with boundless potential for renewable energy generation why wouldn’t they?
The latest development saw Swiss multinational corporation ABB has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT-M) to research and develop micro-grids.
The MoU includes joint research and development in the field of rural electrification, battery energy storage and their connection to loads and main grid.
ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer said: “Microgrid technology is an important part of our next level strategy and well poised to make the Indian government’s vision of power to all a reality by providing access to energy and ensuing economic empowerment to the people.”
The development comes after Spiesshofer met with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk about industrial energy efficiency, microgrids and e-mobility
Modi has also held talks with Tesla’s head honcho Elon Musk
Spiesshofer and Modi are said to have focused on how ABB could support the government’s renewable energy initiatives and help to encourage public acceptance of renewables.
“The discussion with Prime Minister Modi was very fruitful,” Spiesshofer said.
“Prime Minister Modi is especially interested in electric mobility for India’s millions of auto-rickshaws and on the day of our meeting inaugurated a new service for e-rickshaws, as part of the ‘Stand-up India’ initiative to encourage entrepreneurship.”
The scope of the rickshaw market is highlighted by the fact that there is an estimated 200,000 in Delhi alone.
Picture: ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer (right) meets India’s Prime Minister Modi
