India’s first MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) project has been commissioned by NTPC at its research and development center, the NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA), in Greater Noida.

The project, inaugurated by Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal, represents a significant step in India’s push for long-duration energy storage solutions to strengthen renewable energy integration and grid stability.

The 3 MWh (0.5 MW × 6 hours) system, developed under NTPC’s in-house R&D initiative, is the country’s largest and first of its kind.

VRFBs differ from conventional lithium-ion batteries in that they store energy in liquid electrolytes that flow through the system, offering several operational and safety advantages. The aqueous electrolyte used in VRFBs is non-flammable, making them safer for large-scale use.

They also have a lifespan of over 20 years. They can provide continuous power for up to 12 hours, with a modular design that allows for easy scalability from kWh to GWh levels. Flow batteries can play a crucial role in addressing the intermittency challenges associated with solar and wind power generation.

The tender for the project was floated by NTPC in June 2024.

The scope of work included design, engineering, procurement, fabrication, transportation, installation, commissioning, and performance testing of the VRFB system.

The flow battery project was awarded through a competitive bidding process to Rays Power Infra, an EPC company with experience in over 1.5 GW of solar projects across India and Southeast Asia. The system was developed by Delectrik Systems, a Gurgaon-based company specializing in energy storage technology, particularly in flow battery systems.

The project uses Delectrik’s new large-scale product architecture designed for commercial, industrial, and utility-scale energy storage. Once fully operational, the system will support NETRA’s microgrid operations and provide full-day energy autonomy, moving the campus closer to self-sufficiency.

The project is a landmark for India’s energy storage ecosystem as it demonstrates 100% indigenous technology and a supply chain independent of foreign components.