Honeywell Automation India Limited (HAIL) has successfully delivered and commissioned a microgrid Battery Energy and Storage System (BESS) for the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) Lakshadweep Islands project. This initiative marks a significant milestone as India’s first on-grid solar project utilizing BESS technology to manage the distribution of renewable energy.
The microgrid, integrated into the remote Kavaratti islands of Lakshadweep, represents a major step towards decarbonizing the islands’ energy supply. Honeywell’s BESS technology, which includes a complete end-to-end solution for automation, safety, and efficiency, enables renewable energy to be stored and distributed within the microgrid. The system can also coexist alongside the national grid supply, with remote operations for battery modules and grid management.
For this project, Honeywell is supplying its Energy Management System (EMS) and Microgrid Controller, along with a Power Plant Controller, to manage the renewable energy distribution. This advanced technology will play a critical role in reducing Lakshadweep’s dependency on diesel-powered generators, which currently supply nearly all of the islands’ electricity.
“We are committed to supporting India’s energy transition and self-reliance initiatives by driving constant innovation to help achieve the country’s Net Zero 2070 goal. Honeywell’s BESS technology is one of the fundamental enablers of this transition,” said Ashish Gaikwad, Vice President and General Manager of Honeywell Industrial Automation India. “The integration of our technology into the Lakshadweep microgrid system is a positive step forward in this journey.”
The project was delivered to SunSource Energy Private Limited, a leading Indian solar energy company, which was contracted by SECI for the Lakshadweep initiative. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this project is the first non-containerized BESS approved by SECI, and it includes advanced EMS systems integrated with LEDA’s Distribution Generation Microgrid.
Santanu Guha, CEO of SunSource Energy, emphasized the project’s significance, saying, “We are proud to play a pivotal role in supporting the energy transition efforts of Lakshadweep, which align with our commitment to advancing sustainable projects that contribute to India’s net-zero goals.”
The Lakshadweep BESS project, with a capacity of 1.7MWp solar power and 1.4MWh energy storage, is expected to save ₹2500 million over its lifetime, reduce diesel consumption by 19.8 million liters, and offset 58,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Shreedhar Singh, Additional General Manager at SECI, highlighted that this project addresses Lakshadweep’s energy challenges and supports India’s broader green energy objectives.
Honeywell’s delivery scope for the 1.4MWh BESS includes a fire suppression system, EMS/Microgrid controller, and Power Plant Controller. These technologies will support energy management functions such as capacity smoothing, peak shaving, and constant charging and discharging, contributing to a more sustainable energy future for the Lakshadweep Islands.
This initiative is a key milestone in India’s journey toward sustainable energy, providing a blueprint for future green energy projects in remote island regions across the country.
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