India Tests Fast‑Charging Iron‑Air Battery at NTPC Simhadri to Boost 24×7 Renewable Power

A pilot project has been planned at NTPC Simhadri Thermal Power Station to evaluate an indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology for Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) applications. The project will be implemented by Atal Incubation Centre – Anna University (AIC-AU) at NTPC Simhadri through its technology partner, Meine Electric, with the objective of assessing the technology under utility operating conditions.

The pilot project will evaluate the technical performance, operational reliability and operational characteristics of the indigenous Iron-Air Battery system under real-world conditions. The study is expected to generate valuable operational data and insights into the suitability of the technology for long-duration energy storage applications, enabling reliable 24×7 clean energy, enhancing grid flexibility and supporting future applications that require enhanced operational flexibility.

Meine Electric is the first company in APAC and the third globally to pioneer Iron-Air Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technology. Its proprietary Fast Charge Long Discharge (FCLD) technology, which enables a six-hour charge and 18-hour discharge, has also been independently validated by Customized Energy Solutions (CES), the parent company of the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). CES Battery Laboratory testing assessed the technology's electrochemical performance, capacity retention and operational stability under a 6-hour charging and 18-hour discharging cycle, providing third-party validation as Meine Electric advances towards larger-scale demonstrations and commercial deployment.

As India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, long-duration energy storage is expected to play an increasingly important role in improving grid reliability, managing renewable energy variability and supporting a more flexible and resilient power system. The pilot project is expected to contribute towards the development and evaluation of indigenous energy storage technologies while generating valuable learnings for future applications.

Through the AIC-Anna University initiative, Meine Electric will be responsible for the development, system integration and performance monitoring of the Iron-Air Battery system. The operational data and technical insights generated during the pilot will provide an important benchmark for further technology development and future commercial-scale deployment.

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. Priyansh Mohan, Co-Founder & CEO, Meine Electric, said "We are honoured that our indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology has been selected for implementation under this pilot project planned at NTPC Simhadri Thermal Power Station. The project provides an important opportunity to demonstrate the technology under utility operating conditions and generate valuable performance data that will help accelerate the development of cost-effective long-duration energy storage solutions for India's evolving power system."

Speaking on the partnership, Shri Kishore Kumar.S, CEO, AIC - Anna Incubator, said, "Our mission is to catalyze high-impact innovations that solve critical national challenges. Supporting Meine Electric in deploying India's indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology at NTPC Simhadri is a major step toward achieving scalable, long-duration energy storage. This collaboration highlights how academia, startups, and public sector leaders can work together to strengthen India's clean energy ecosystem and accelerate our transition to a resilient, sustainable grid."

The initiative reflects the growing emphasis on indigenous innovation, advanced energy storage technologies and collaborative research aimed at supporting India's clean energy transition and strengthening long-term energy security.

About Meine Electric

Meine Electric is an Indian deep-tech startup pioneering the world’s first fast-charging Iron-Air battery for Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES). By shrinking traditional charge times from 100 hours to just 6 hours, paired with an 18-hour discharge, the company utilizes a proprietary, low-cost "reversible rusting" chemistry to provide reliable & affordable 24/7 baseload power. Engineered specifically for the daily-cycling demands of modern power grids, Meine Electric's systems enable renewable firming and thermal asset flexibilization at a fraction of the cost of alternative storage technologies. As a first-mover in the high-growth APAC and MEA markets, the company is now working towards partnering with utilities and heavy industries to build the critical infrastructure required for a secure global energy transition. Backed by leading investors and institutional partners, Meine Electric is pioneering India-built, practical engineering to drive the shift to a future of limitless renewable energy. Meine Electric has won several industry awards, including The National Startup Award 2026, Nasscom Emerge 50 Award, besides others.

Vision: Limitless renewable energy.

Mission: Make iron-air batteries the backbone of long-duration storage and lead globally in this category.

Long-term goal: Enable $1B in revenue by 2032 through grid-scale Iron-Air Battery deployments.
About AIC – Anna Incubator

AIC-AU Incubation Foundation (AIC- Anna Incubator) is a Section 8 non-profit organization established under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and hosted by Anna University, Chennai. Positioned as one of South India's leading startup ecosystems, Anna Incubator nurtures deep-tech and high-impact startups across sectors such as Clean & Sustainability Tech, Electric Mobility, Health Sciences, AI, and Advanced Manufacturing. To date, the incubator has supported over 91 startups, generated 1,100+ jobs, facilitated 125+ patent filings, and built a portfolio valuation exceeding ₹1,500 Crore. Leveraging a strong network of corporate, government, and investment partners, Anna Incubator translates academic research into market-ready technologies that support India's strategic growth goals.