IESA to convene international summit on Lithium-Ion batteries in New Delhi

The India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) is set to host an International Summit on Lithium-Ion Batteries on 4th October 2024 at the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi. This summit will bring together over 300 companies to discuss the current state and future prospects of the lithium-ion battery industry in India, covering topics such as manufacturing, recycling, electric vehicle (EV) applications, and energy storage. It aims to address the challenges and opportunities in India's growing lithium-ion battery sector.

The summit will feature participation from government entities, including the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the Ministry of Mines, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Representatives from potential giga factories such as AMARA RAJA, Exide Energy, Reliance, TATA Agratas, JSW Energy, and Ola Electric are expected to be present.

As one of the leading importers of lithium-ion batteries, India is playing a crucial role in adopting advanced energy storage technologies. In the fiscal year 2023, the country imported lithium-ion batteries worth $3.59 billion from countries like China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. More than 100 lithium battery pack manufacturing companies currently operate in India, serving sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs), power electronics, and stationary storage.

India is projected to have a cumulative demand of 600-900 GWh of lithium batteries by 2032. To meet this demand, the country is developing safety standards tailored to different applications, temperatures, and environmental conditions. The usage of lithium-ion batteries spans telecommunications and EVs, and several companies have already established recycling facilities in India. Various national laboratories and startups are also working on developing advanced lithium technologies, including lithium-sulfur and solid-state batteries. Considering these opportunities, it is anticipated that the Indian industry will need to increase investments by five times over the next five years.

Debi Prasad Dash, President of IESA, appreciated the significance of the lithium-ion battery industry in supporting India's clean energy goals. He noted that the summit would provide a platform for both Indian and global stakeholders to collaborate and explore opportunities for innovation and growth. Mr. Dash also mentioned that over 300 industry leaders would participate in the event, covering a wide range of topics such as research and development, manufacturing, supply chain management, raw materials, stationary energy storage, electric mobility, recycling, and second-life applications.

The summit aims to provide an opportunity for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and experts to engage in discussions on several key topics, including the status of India's giga factories, the development of critical minerals, recycling technologies, and the future of lithium-ion batteries in grid and renewable energy storage, electric mobility, and emerging applications.

Additionally, the event will focus on the progress of Indian giga factories under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) and non-PLI schemes, the scenario for critical minerals required for lithium, cathodes, anodes, and electrolyte manufacturing, as well as safety, certification, and testing requirements for lithium-ion batteries. Industry experts from various countries will also share insights on lithium battery recycling, second-life applications, lithium-ion-based Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for electricity grids and commercial sectors, and recent developments in solid-state and lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery technologies.