India Commissions Its First 3 MWh Vanadium Flow Battery at NTPC NETRA Published By Anupam Nath India has taken another major leap toward clean and sustainable energy with the commissioning of its first-ever megawatt-hour-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) project. The installation, located at NTPC’s Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA) campus in Greater Noida, marks a historic milestone in the country’s energy storage journey. This project represents a bold step toward long-duration energy backup that can make renewable power sources like solar and wind more reliable across India’s energy grid.The VRFB project, inaugurated by India’s Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal, is designed to deliver 3 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage capacity, with a 0.5 MW × 6-hour configuration. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, vanadium flow batteries use liquid electrolytes stored in tanks, allowing for easy scalability, longer lifespan, and enhanced safety. The system can continuously deliver power for up to 12 hours, making it ideal for balancing peak energy loads and maintaining grid stability.What makes this project even more remarkable is that it is a product of NTPC’s own in-house research and development efforts under its NETRA program. The solution was engineered and supplied by Delectrik Systems, a Gurugram-based company specializing in flow battery technology for industrial and utility-scale applications. The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) responsibilities were handled by Rays Power Infra, a company known for delivering large solar energy projects across India and Southeast Asia.One of the biggest advantages of the Vanadium Flow Battery system is its longevity. The battery can operate efficiently for more than 20 years without significant capacity degradation. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which can present fire hazards and require frequent replacements, VRFBs are non-flammable and maintenance-friendly. This makes them a safer and more sustainable alternative for large-scale and long-duration energy storage.The 3 MWh system will play a crucial role in supporting NETRA’s microgrid operations. It will enable the campus to achieve near-complete energy self-sufficiency by storing surplus solar and wind energy during the day and discharging it at night or during outages. This initiative perfectly aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving energy independence and integrating higher proportions of renewable power into the grid.Moreover, the project stands out as an example of complete indigenous innovation. From design to development, every component of the VRFB system was made in India, marking a significant achievement in reducing dependency on imported energy storage technologies. This is a step forward in building a resilient domestic supply chain for the future of India’s clean energy sector.With the successful commissioning of this project, NTPC and its partners have demonstrated that India is well-positioned to lead in advanced, long-duration, and sustainable energy storage technologies. The Vanadium Flow Battery not only fills the gap between renewable generation and grid demand but also represents the spirit of innovation driving India’s green energy revolution.
