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.

Dreamfly Innovations to Build India’s Largest Aviation Battery Plant in Bengaluru, Boosting Atmanirbhar Bharat

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• Drone Battery Solutions provider Dreamfly Innovations Announces One of India's Largest Aviation Battery Manufacturing Facilities with Scalable 200 MWh Capacity. 
• Upcoming 40,000 sq. ft. facility in North Bengaluru will have an initial annual production capacity of 100 MWh, scalable to 200 MWh, strengthening India's indigenous drone ecosystem

Dreamfly Innovations, an Indian deep-tech company specializing in advanced aviation battery technologies, has announced plans to set up a 40,000 sq. ft. aviation battery manufacturing facility in North Bengaluru. The facility will have an initial annual production capacity of 100 MWh, scalable to 200 MWh, making it one of India's largest aviation battery manufacturing facilities dedicated to the drone sector.

The upcoming facility will manufacture advanced aviation batteries for a wide range of drone applications, including Defense, surveillance, inspection, agricultural spraying, logistics, and emerging air mobility platforms such as air taxis. The investment is expected to strengthen India's domestic drone supply chain by enhancing local manufacturing capabilities for one of the most critical components of an unmanned aerial system.

Given that Dreamfly has indigenous content of 77%, which aligns well with the goals of the Kisan Drone Policy, its efforts are being geared toward supporting Indian drone manufacturers by developing power solutions domestically. It will help to reduce dependence on foreign products as well as contribute to the development of the country’s ecosystem for advanced manufacturing.

The proposed manufacturing facility will be in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat by increasing the indigenous capability in the strategic technology sector. With the use of drones becoming increasingly common in agriculture, construction, logistics, safety, and defense, developing indigenous capability in the field of aviation battery technology will be vital for achieving India's goal of becoming a leader in drone manufacturing and exports.

Commenting on the company's latest manufacturing initiative, Kajal Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of Dreamfly Innovations, said - "Every drone's performance, safety, endurance, and reliability depend on batteries. As the drone economy of India grows, it is also critical for India to develop its capacities for making batteries for drones. Our new facility is a way to develop state-of-the-art batteries for India, which will also support our domestic drone makers and further the vision of Viksit Bharat, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat."

Commenting on Dreamfly's manufacturing initiative, Vikas Verma, Partner, Avaana Capital, said, “Dreamfly’s new manufacturing facility reinforces its position as a leading innovator in next-generation battery technologies. It is a significant milestone in building India’s advanced aerial mobility ecosystem, reducing import dependence, and enabling Indian drone manufacturers to develop safer, more reliable, and globally competitive platforms. We believe this expansion will strengthen India’s deep tech manufacturing base and advance the country’s ambition towards becoming a global hub for drones and future aviation technologies.”

The new manufacturing plant will mark the firm’s continuing dedication to the evolution of India’s deep-tech manufacturing environment. Through developing its own aviation battery technology, Dreamfly Innovations plans to contribute towards the next level of development of the drone industry, as well as helping India develop into a hub of advanced manufacturing and future aviation technology.

About Dreamfly Innovations

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Dreamfly Innovations specializes in developing high-performance, long-lasting batteries for drones, aviation, and aerospace applications. Leveraging expertise in advanced cell technologies, including lithium-based chemistries, graphene, and supercapacitors, Dreamfly delivers energy solutions that are reliable, safe, and sustainable. Through its groundbreaking innovations, the company is redefining industry standards, empowering customers to achieve market leadership while advancing their sustainability objectives.