By Kavinder Khurana, Managing Director, Energy & Powertech Limited
India’s dynamic economy and increasing technological adoption bring a lot of opportunities for innovative energy solutions. This growth also coincides with a significant rise in energy consumption. Specifically, the International Energy Agency predicts that electricity demand, driven by economic growth expectations and urbanisation, will surge in the coming decades. At the same time, the government aims to reach significant renewable energy goals, such as producing 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
To tackle these challenges, India must invest in strong energy storage systems (ESSs) that can collect and hold surplus energy when renewable sources are producing at their peak, and then provide that energy during high demand or when renewable generation drops. One often-neglected approach that’s starting to catch the spotlight is the refurbishment of lead-acid batteries.
The importance of lead-acid batteries in India’s energy landscape
Lead-acid batteries continue to play a crucial role in India’s energy ecosystem. Out of all the energy storage technologies, lead-acid batteries have proven to be the most valuable in the Indian energy sector. Even with a massive shift to newer batteries in many other parts of the world, lead-acid batteries continue to be widely implemented for many applications. India, as a nation, relies on affordable and reliable energy storage options to meet its diverse and large requirements, thereby increasing the demand for lead-acid batteries. In addition to this, lead-acid batteries also maintain dominance in the market for off-grid rural electrification, backup power applications, as well as solar energy storage systems.
India’s energy landscape is vast, particularly with respect to regions that remain unconnected to the national grid. For these regions, lead-acid batteries are an economical and robust solution for energy storage. According to industry reports, the market for lead-acid batteries in India is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) greater than 9 per cent by the end of this decade. This is driven by the increasing need for ESSs in rural and urban regions, especially with the installation of solar energy systems.
The need for battery refurbishment
Battery refurbishment is critical in achieving new lifetime cycles for lead-acid batteries and continuing their life without the costs associated with new production. Battery restoration technologies focus on rejuvenating used batteries through advanced electrochemical processes, restoring up to 80 per cent of their original efficiency. This process is not only cost-effective but also significantly reduces the environment footprint by lowering primary material requirements as well as the associated damages caused by battery manufacturing.
The refurbishment of batteries addresses two critical challenges in India—reducing e-waste and ensuring cost-effective energy storage solutions. Reclaimed lead-acid batteries have numerous applications, among which is the photovoltaic system, where these batteries store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during overcast weather. Refurbishment allows these batteries to sustain their operation for several additional years, delaying disposal and reducing the need for fresh battery production, which is both resource-intensive and polluting.
Environmental and economic advantages of battery refurbishment
Among the many benefits of battery refurbishment is the reduction of harmful effects on the environment. India has an extensive infrastructure for recycling lead-acid batteries, with over 95 per cent of them being recycled. This implies that used lead-acid batteries that are considered waste, but can be refurbished and reused before eventually being recycled to produce new batteries, thereby minimising waste and reducing the need for fresh raw materials. Additionally, the government of India has established the Battery Waste Management Rules to promote safe battery disposal and refurbishment, recognising battery refurbishment as a legitimate business activity and encouraging industry players to adopt eco-friendly practices.
According to industry forecasts, India’s battery recycling market is projected to witness a CAGR of 9.80 per cent during the forecast period FY 2025-FY 2032, making lead-acid batteries an environment friendly energy storage option. Like other battery types, refurbished lead-acid batteries also help lower costs. Manufacturing new lead-acid batteries is expensive and these costs can prove to be an obstacle for some users, especially in rural regions and among lower-income consumers. These costs can be greatly reduced through refurbishing old batteries and increasing adoption across the board. For example, refurbished lead-acid batteries typically cost 40-50 per cent less than new ones, making them a more accessible solution for individuals, businesses and government projects.
In addition, battery refurbishment creates employment opportunities by expanding the workforce in battery restoration and maintenance-related service. The battery industry in India alone is vast and as growing energy storage needs emerge, the associated need for skilled workers in refurbishment and recycling will only continue. Companies specialising in battery rejuvenation technologies like Electrochemical Battery Enhancement Process (EBEP) are actively contributing to this shift by developing scalable solutions, ensuring long-term sustainability in the energy sector.
Batteries refurbishment and India’s renewable energy vision
It is crucial to back India’s refurbishment plans as they relate to the nation’s renewable energy objectives. To meet the government’s goal of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, significant investments in energy storage technologies will be necessary. Along with the adoption of renewable energy, there will also be an increased demand for efficient and economical storage systems for supporting these projects.
Off-grid solar photovoltaic systems, which are growing quite popular in rural India, can be well supported by refurbished lead-acid batteries. Currently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy estimates that over 1 million solar home lighting systems have been deployed in India. A large number of these systems are equipped with lead-acid batteries as the storage medium. By integrating refurbishment technology into these systems, India can optimise existing energy storage infrastructure while reducing the environmental impact of discarded batteries.
Technologies like EBEP can enhance backup power systems that rely on lead-acid batteries, providing vital support to communities that experience frequent power cuts. Such rural and remote communities are typically underserved areas that will benefit the most from expansion in electricity access. With government incentives and industry-led innovations, India can accelerate its transition towards a circular economy in energy storage.
In conclusion, while refurbishing batteries remains a new practice in India, it has the huge potential to fuel the country’s sustainable energy future. Lead-acid battery refurbishment ensures that the energy storage process in the country is not only cheap but also environment friendly. This method not only maximises the usage of existing batteries but also facilitates India’s move towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.
As India proceeds with its shift towards renewable energy sources, battery refurbishment will be an essential part of the process to ensure affordable and dependable energy storage options. By adopting cutting-edge battery rejuvenation technologies, India can minimise e-waste, decrease the cost of energy storage and inch towards realising its ambitious renewable energy targets.
