Overview
On November 11, 2025, Shri Manohar Lal, Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, inaugurated India’s first MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system at NTPC NETRA in Greater Noida. This 3 MWh capacity system represents a major advancement in long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions, crucial for enhancing renewable energy integration and grid resilience.
Key Developments
Inauguration and Key Attendees
The inauguration took place during the Minister's visit to NETRA, the R&D Centre of NTPC. Key attendees included Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), Shri Piyush Singh, Additional Secretary, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Power. Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD (NTPC), and other senior NTPC officials welcomed the Minister.
Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) Technology
The Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) is highlighted as a contemporary technology with the potential to replace traditional lithium-ion batteries. This advanced battery system diversifies the elements that can be sourced for battery production.
Minister's Commendation
Shri Manohar Lal commended the NETRA team for developing solutions that address energy transition and energy security challenges. He emphasized India’s growing capabilities in innovation and technology, setting new benchmarks for sustainable development and energy transition.
NTPC's R&D Efforts
The Minister was briefed on NTPC’s pioneering R&D work in areas such as Carbon Capture, Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage, and Waste-to-Energy Technologies.
Demonstration Plants Visited
The Minister visited several demonstration plants at NTPC NETRA, including:
- Green Hydrogen Mobility Plant
- STP Water-based Green Hydrogen Plant
- Solid Oxide-based High-Temperature Steam Electrolyzer
- MSW-RDF based enhanced Steam Gasification Plant
- AC Microgrid (4 MWp & 1 MWh Li-NMC BESS)
He also visited state-of-the-art NABL-accredited laboratories.
UPSC Relevance
This news is highly relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, particularly for GS Paper III (Economy, Infrastructure, Science and Technology, and Environment). The development of VRFB technology and NTPC's R&D efforts align with India's goals for energy security, renewable energy integration, and sustainable development.
Key Areas for UPSC Preparation
- Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs): Understand the technology, its advantages, and potential applications.
- Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES): Analyze the importance of LDES for grid stability and renewable energy integration.
- NTPC NETRA: Know its role as an R&D center and its focus areas (Carbon Capture, Green Hydrogen, etc.).
- Green Hydrogen: Understand the production methods and its significance for decarbonizing various sectors.
- Carbon Capture: Learn about the different carbon capture technologies and their role in mitigating climate change.
Important Facts
- Date of Inauguration: November 11, 2025
- Location: NTPC NETRA, Greater Noida
- Capacity of VRFB System: 3 MWh
- Inaugurated by: Shri Manohar Lal, Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs
- Focus Areas of NTPC R&D: Carbon Capture, Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage, Waste-to-Energy Technologies