CONTEXT: INDIA’S CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION & ENERGY SECURITY

• The climate crisis has redefined energy security—based on availability, accessibility, affordability, and environmental acceptability.
• To meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (clean and affordable energy), India is increasingly relying on renewable energy (RE).
• However, RE is intermittent (e.g., solar & wind fluctuate), making energy storage essential for reliability and grid stability.
• Climate risks, geopolitical tensions, and fossil fuel dependency make energy resilience critical for India’s future.

CONCEPT: BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (BESS)

• What is BESS?
  A system that stores electricity in batteries for use during high demand or low generation periods.
• Why BESS?
  • Ensures grid stability and peak load management.
  • Supports large-scale RE integration.
  • Reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  • Enables decentralised energy solutions (e.g., microgrids in rural areas).
• Advantages:
  • Rapid deployment and scalability.
  • Cost-effective and location-flexible.
  • Technologically improving—battery costs down 90% in 15 years.
• Barriers:
  • Regulatory gaps.
  • Financial hurdles (high capital cost).
  • Technical limitations and lack of grid infrastructure.
  • Limited critical minerals and indigenised manufacturing.

CURRENT: INDIA’S BESS LANDSCAPE & POLICY PUSH

• Targets:
  • 500 GW RE capacity by 2030 (217.62 GW achieved by Jan 2025).
  • 47 GW of BESS by 2032.
• Government support:
  • Viability Gap Funding (VGF).
  • Interstate transmission fee waiver till June 2025.
  • Pilot projects (e.g., Delhi BESS with BSES Rajdhani, GEAPP & IndiGrid).
• Challenges flagged in Economic Survey 2024–25:
  • Lack of investment for grid upgradation.
  • Delayed deployment and mineral supply issues.
  • Need for innovation & localisation.
• Way Forward:
  • Public-private-philanthropic partnerships.
  • Investment in R&D, recycling, and manufacturing.
  • Speed up policy reforms and large-scale deployment.

CONCLUSION: INDIA’S LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL

• India can emerge as a global BESS leader among emerging economies.
• Energy security = RE + Storage → Achieving climate goals + Energy independence.
• With the right collaborations and reforms, BESS can redefine India’s energy future.

MAINS QUESTIONS

• Discuss the importance of energy security in the context of climate change and India’s transition to clean energy. How can Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) contribute to achieving energy security and sustainability?
• Analyze the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of BESS in India. What policy measures can be taken to promote the development and deployment of BESS?