Advancing India’s Energy Future: The Case for Chemistry-Agnostic Standards in Energy Storage

The rapid transition towards renewable energy sources has made energy storage technologies increasingly crucial. In India, where energy demand is continually rising, effective and reliable energy storage systems are essential for ensuring a stable and resilient power grid. The “Final Report for Approval on Chemistry Agnostic Standards” addresses the necessity of developing standards that are not limited by specific chemical compositions of energy storage systems, allowing for broader applicability and innovation.

India’s commitment to mitigating climate change is reflected in its climate commitments and the push towards renewable energy. As part of this transition, energy storage technologies are expected to play a pivotal role by balancing supply and demand, integrating renewable energy sources, and enhancing grid stability. Currently, a variety of energy storage technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, are in use, but there is a need to expand beyond these to include emerging technologies such as zinc-air, aluminum-air, and supercapacitors.

The review of existing standards on testing and certification reveals several key findings. Many standards are chemistry-specific, meaning they only apply to certain types of batteries and energy storage systems. This specificity limits the adaptability of these standards to new and emerging technologies. Furthermore, some standards cover multiple chemistries but are not sufficiently generic or extendable to accommodate new advancements. This creates a bottleneck, slowing the commercialization and deployment of innovative energy storage technologies. Additionally, standards often exclude certain types of energy storage systems, particularly those that are not electrically rechargeable, further limiting their scope and applicability​.

Given these limitations, there is a clear need for chemistry-agnostic standards. Such standards would provide a unified framework that can be applied to various energy storage technologies, irrespective of their chemical composition. This approach would facilitate a more streamlined and efficient testing and certification process, ensuring that new technologies can be evaluated and brought to market more quickly. It would also help users, such as electric vehicle manufacturers and renewable energy producers, to confidently integrate different energy storage technologies into their systems without concerns about regulatory compliance or performance uncertainties​.

To develop these chemistry-agnostic standards, several parameters need to be considered. Technical parameters should include performance metrics such as energy density, cycle life, and efficiency, which are critical for assessing the suitability of different technologies for various applications. Safety requirements are also paramount, ensuring that all energy storage systems operate safely under a range of conditions, including India’s diverse climate. This includes provisions for thermal management and safety protocols to prevent incidents such as thermal runaway, which can lead to fires and explosions​.

The report recommends modifying existing standards to make them more application-specific and inclusive of emerging technologies. This involves updating the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and other relevant bodies’ guidelines to reflect the latest advancements in energy storage. Additionally, there is a need to establish a centralized testing infrastructure to provide reliable and consistent testing and certification services. This would support innovation by providing transparent and standardized testing protocols, facilitating collaboration, and ensuring data reliability.

Furthermore, capacity building is essential to support the development and implementation of these standards. This includes training and upskilling professionals in the energy storage sector to ensure they are equipped to handle new technologies and standards. Establishing partnerships with international standards organizations can also help align Indian standards with global best practices, promoting international collaboration and market access.

In conclusion, developing chemistry-agnostic standards for energy storage technologies is crucial for supporting India’s energy transition. These standards will ensure that emerging technologies can be efficiently tested, certified, and deployed, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable energy system. By addressing the technical, safety, and regulatory challenges, India can foster innovation in the energy storage sector, paving the way for a cleaner and more reliable energy future.

Please view the document here for more details.