Boost for energy storage as Manohar Lal inaugurates India’s first 3 MWh VRFB at NTPC NETRA

Minister of Power Manohar Lal on Tuesday visited NETRA, the R&D centre of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) here, and inaugurated the country’s first and largest MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system of 3 MWh capacity.

This milestone project marks a major step forward in the nation’s journey towards long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions, enhancing renewable energy integration and grid resilience.

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On this occasion, the minister visited several demonstration plants at NETRA, including (i) the Green Hydrogen Mobility Plant, (ii) the STP Water-based Green Hydrogen Plant, (iii) the Solid Oxide-based High-Temperature Steam Electrolyser, (iv) the MSW-RDF-based enhanced Steam Gasification Plant, and (v) the AC Microgrid (4 MWp and 1 MWh Li-NMC BESS), along with state-of-the-art NABL-accredited laboratories.

The minister was also briefed on NTPC’s pioneering R&D work in the domains of Carbon Capture, Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage, and Waste-to-Energy Technologies.

He commended the NETRA team for developing solutions that address the energy transition and energy security challenges. He emphasised that India’s capabilities in innovation and technology are setting new benchmarks for sustainable development and energy transition.

The visit concluded with a tree plantation ceremony, symbolising NTPC’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship and a greener future.

The minister was accompanied by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Additional Secretary Piyush Singh, and other senior officials of the ministry. He was welcomed by Gurdeep Singh, CMD (NTPC), and other senior officials of NTPC.