Iron-Air Battery Pilot Planned at NTPC Simhadri Power Station

An Iron-Air battery pilot project is planned at NTPC Simhadri Thermal Power Station to evaluate an indigenous long-duration energy storage (LDES) system under utility operating conditions. The project will be implemented by Atal Incubation Centre – Anna University (AIC-AU) at NTPC Simhadri, with technology partner Meine Electric.

The pilot will assess the technical performance, operational reliability and operating characteristics of the Iron-Air battery system under real-world conditions. The project is also intended to generate operational data on its suitability for long-duration energy storage applications.

Meine Electric said its proprietary Fast Charge Long Discharge (FCLD) technology enables a six-hour charging period followed by an 18-hour discharge. The technology has been independently evaluated by Customized Energy Solutions (CES), with testing covering electrochemical performance, capacity retention and operational stability over the six-hour charging and 18-hour discharging cycle.

Iron-Air Battery Pilot to Assess LDES Performance

Under the AIC-Anna University initiative, Meine Electric will be responsible for development, system integration and performance monitoring of the Iron-Air battery system.

The operational data and technical insights generated through the pilot are expected to support further technology development and assessment for future commercial-scale deployment. The project will also examine the system's performance under utility operating conditions.

According to the company, the pilot is being undertaken as India expands its renewable energy capacity and seeks energy storage technologies capable of addressing renewable generation variability and grid flexibility requirements.

Meine Electric co-founder and CEO Priyansh Mohan said the pilot would provide an opportunity to demonstrate the technology under utility operating conditions and generate performance data for further development of long-duration energy storage solutions.

Meine Electric Iron-Air Battery Technology

Meine Electric describes itself as an Indian deep-tech startup developing Iron-Air battery systems for long-duration energy storage. Its stated technology uses a proprietary chemistry and is designed around a six-hour charge and 18-hour discharge cycle.

The company said its Iron-Air technology is being developed for applications including renewable energy firming and thermal asset flexibility. It is also working towards larger-scale demonstrations and commercial deployment.

AIC-Anna Incubator is a Section 8 non-profit organisation established under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and hosted by Anna University, Chennai. The incubator supports startups across areas including clean and sustainability technology, electric mobility, health sciences, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.