ABB and IITM collaborating on micro-grids and energy storage solutions

The agreement also includes intern-ship opportunities to post graduate students of IITM for the next three years.

 

According to ABB, Indian scenario related to microgrids is expected to evolve rapidly in the coming years. With thousands of Indian villages still un-electrified, the decentralized microgrids are a viable solution to power these villages. 

 

The company said that a low-maintenance microgrid has the potential to eliminate dependence on expensive diesel fuel and the grid.

 

Over the past few years, IITM has been developing and demonstrating solar based energy-efficient DC homes. 

 

ABB has a strong portfolio of products for the renewable energy integration, distribution and automation of interconnected renewable energy sources that form local microgrids. 

 

IITM and ABB will jointly work to design, build and supply equipment for up to two such microgrids in rural areas.

 

Along with ABB equipment, the microgrid will enable homes to be fitted with energy efficient DC devices like LED bulbs, TV, Cell phone charges, Brushless DC motor based fans, specially designed by IITM.

 

The project shall be managed by IITM till the transfer of the installations to the local distribution utility (DISCOM).

 

“This is a great opportunity to combine our expertise with bright young minds from this renowned institute to devise and deploy solutions tailored for India,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. “Microgrids technology is an important part of our Next Level strategy and well poised to make the Indian government’s vision of power to all a reality by providing access to energy and ensuing economic empowerment to the people.” 

 

At the end of last year, ABB set up India’s first multi-source urban microgrid in the heart of Delhi to power its flagship event, Automation and Power World.

 

Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said “IIT is committed to implementing an affordable solution for supplying electric power to Indian homes, whether they are off-grid, or homes with several hours of power cuts. At the same time our solution helps reducing the home’s monthly power bills even when there are no power-cuts, a must for most middle and lower-income homes. Simultaneously IITM is committed to a vision of India moving completely to Electric Vehicles by 2030. Towards this it is ready to commit the best-in class technology. The R&D cooperation with ABB will help them get to these goals faster.”

 

As a precursor to this agreement, an interface between industry-academia and regulatory bodies was organized jointly by IITM and ABB in March to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by microgrids in India.

 

Around 100 participants from utilities, industry and academia had engaged in deliberations. 

 

For the next five years, ABB will also support research at IITM’s Battery Engineering Center to improve the life and discharge cycles of Lead-Acid to Lithium-Ion batteries.