AI, IoT-led battery systems to transform power management: Electrent CEO

Artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled battery systems will increasingly help homes and businesses optimise electricity consumption, manage peak demand and improve power resilience, according to Chirag Chawla, founder and chief executive of Electrent Energy.

The next generation of energy storage will move beyond simply storing electricity. Smart systems will analyse consumption patterns, battery health, solar generation and grid conditions to determine when power should be stored, used or redirected, Chawla said in an exclusive interview.

For households, such systems could learn when electricity consumption typically peaks and optimise battery charging and discharge accordingly. Commercial users could deploy energy-management platforms to coordinate solar generation, battery storage, grid electricity and critical loads, improving both efficiency and business continuity.

“The next generation of energy storage will not simply be about storing electricity. It will be about knowing when to store it, when to use it and where to use it,” Chawla said. “Software and data will increasingly become part of the value proposition, not just the hardware.”

Electrent Energy is an Indian energy technology company offering lithium batteries, integrated energy storage systems, solar solutions and power-backup products. It operates a manufacturing facility in Bhiwani, Haryana, and has a distribution presence across states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Storage takes centre stage

The technology shift comes as India expands renewable-energy capacity and confronts the challenge of making intermittent solar and wind power reliably available. India is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, but generation capacity alone will not be sufficient, Chawla said.

Storage systems can capture surplus renewable electricity when production is high and release it during evening peaks, non-solar hours or periods of lower generation. The Central Electricity Authority estimates that India could require around 411.4 GWh of energy storage by 2031-32, including 236.22 GWh from battery energy storage systems.

“Storage is the bridge between renewable generation and dependable electricity,” Chawla said. “As India continues to add solar and wind capacity, being able to store and intelligently use that energy will become just as important as generating it.”

While utility-scale battery projects will support the electricity grid, Chawla expects distributed storage to gain ground among households, commercial establishments and micro, small and medium enterprises. Power interruptions can disrupt machinery, refrigeration, IT infrastructure, digital payments and manufacturing processes, directly affecting productivity and revenue.

Storage installed close to the point of consumption can provide backup, support rooftop solar and help businesses shift electricity use away from expensive peak periods, depending on tariff structures. It can also reduce reliance on conventional backup systems and support companies’ sustainability targets.

Lithium adoption spreads beyond metros

The market is simultaneously witnessing a gradual move from lead-acid batteries towards lithium-based systems, particularly lithium iron phosphate, or LiFePO₄, technology. Consumers are looking for solutions that require less maintenance, occupy less space, charge faster and provide a longer usable life.

Although lithium systems generally involve a higher upfront cost, buyers are beginning to consider total ownership costs, including maintenance, charging performance, usable capacity and service life. Customers are also seeking more information about battery chemistry, warranties, safety and life cycles before making purchasing decisions.

Chawla expects Tier-II and Tier-III cities to become important growth markets as rising incomes, digitalisation, rooftop solar adoption and dependence on electronic equipment increase demand for reliable power. However, local distribution, customer education and after-sales support will remain central to wider adoption.

Scaling clean-energy hardware businesses presents a different set of challenges from building software companies, he said. Manufacturers must simultaneously invest in supplier development, inventory, production capacity, testing, quality controls and service networks. Customer trust is particularly important because batteries are evaluated over several years rather than at the point of sale.

India’s manufacturing opportunity extends beyond assembling battery packs. Domestic companies can build capabilities in battery management systems, power electronics, thermal management, energy management software, testing, and recycling.

“Self-reliance should not simply mean replacing an imported finished product with a locally assembled one,” Chawla said. “The real objective should be to build capabilities across the entire value chain gradually.