Udaipur/Bengaluru.

In a landmark achievement for India’s clean energy sector, Hindustan Zinc, the world’s leading integrated zinc producer, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have successfully developed indigenous Zinc-ion battery pouch cell prototypes. This breakthrough marks a significant milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance in energy storage, offering a stable and reliable solution for large-scale renewable energy integration.

As the world shifts toward green energy, the demand for efficient storage has never been higher. Leveraging India’s abundant zinc resources, this partnership addresses the critical challenges of cost and safety associated with traditional storage. The newly developed Zinc-ion prototypes are specifically designed to store power from renewable sources like solar and wind, ensuring a steady energy supply even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

The core of this innovation lies in the development of low-cost electrolyte formulations. While Zinc-ion batteries have historically faced challenges with cycle life and energy density, the collaboration between Hindustan Zinc and JNCASR has successfully optimized electrode materials to ensure long-term stability. Rigorous testing under real-world conditions has demonstrated that these batteries are highly efficient in capturing and releasing solar energy, making them ideal for stationary energy storage applications.

Safety remains a standout feature of this technology. Unlike Lithium-ion batteries, which carry fire risks due to flammable components, Zinc-ion batteries utilize non-flammable aqueous electrolytes. This makes them an exceptionally safe, cost-effective, and scalable alternative for large-scale deployment across India’s power grids.

Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc, highlighted the strategic importance of this feat, stating, “Zinc-ion battery technology presents a pivotal opportunity to leverage India’s vast zinc resources for the global energy transition. Our partnership with JNCASR reflects our commitment to enabling safe and scalable storage solutions that support the nation’s growing renewable energy footprint.”

Echoing this sentiment, Associate Professor Prem Senguttuvan from JNCASR emphasized that this industry-academia collaboration strengthens India’s indigenous research capabilities, paving the way for reliable, home-grown solutions for a sustainable future.

As the team continues to work on enhancing the energy density for even longer durations, this development sets the foundation for a greener, more self-reliant India. By pioneering next-generation zinc materials, Hindustan Zinc is not just producing metal but is powering the future of the nation’s energy infrastructure.

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