India’s First MW-Scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Launched at NTPC NETRA
India’s first MW-scale battery based on Vanadium Redox Flow technology was unveiled by the Union Power Minister at NTPC’s Research & Development centre in Greater Noida, NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA). This battery has a storage capacity of 3 MWh (0.5 MW X 6 hours).
It must be noted that the first-ever Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) to be deployed in India was by Spain-headquartered E22 for Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL). E22’s battery had a capacity to deliver 200 KW power in 4 hours (50 KWh) battery, and was commissioned in Hyderabad in September 2018.
Battery System Developed by Gurugram-based Delectrik Systems
NTPC had invited bids for the development of this VRFB in June 2024, and thereafter, Jaipur-based Solar EPC player, Rays Power Infra was awarded this project. The battery system itself was developed by Gurugram-based Delectrik Systems.
Delectrik Systems’ Vanadium flow batteries combine basic battery blocks of 10 KWh, 40 KWh, 160 KWh or 625 KWh capacities for deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
Since the battery unveiled at NETRA is a 3 MWh VFRB system, it can be deduced that it comprises of individual battery blocks stacked together, making it scalable.
What is Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Technology?
Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VFRB) technology exploits multiple ionization states of the Vanadium metal. In principle, a VFRB has Vanadium in two electrolyte forms. These two electrolytes have Vanadium in different oxidation states, and each of these electrolytes is stored in a separate tank. The two electrolytes are allowed to mix in a third tank where a chemical reaction occurs, which in-turn generates a flow of electrons in the system.
Vanadium Redox Flow Battery vs. Lithium-ion Battery
Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries offer advantages as compared to the more prevalent Lithium-ion batteries. As per different study reports, some of these advantages include longer discharge, higher utilisation due to lower degradation, lower disposal costs, longer lifespan (over 20 years), and lower risks with no risk of fires. Although VRFB batteries are costlier than Li-ion batteries to install as of now, their lifetime cost is lower. The higher cost is mostly due to the Vanadium electrolyte, which makes up close to 35% of the battery’s total cost.
Apart from this, Vanadium is generally a more abundant metal as compared to Lithium. Specifically speaking for India, the country still imports nearly 100% of its Lithium requirements, whereas Vanadium is already produced as a byproduct by metal companies such as Vedanta and Hindalco.
VRFB Battery Outlook in India
VRFB battery systems have been a point of discussion for some time in India now. As stated above, the first such battery was installed for BHEL in 2018. In July 2025, Singapore-based VFlowTech and IIT Delhi announced a collaboration for developing circular Vanadium supply chain. As per this agreement, Vanadium will be recovered from petcoke cinder, which is a by-product of oil-refining process.
As per a November 2025 report by Customized Energy Solutions (CES), an energy advisory firm based out of Philadelphia, the VRFB market in India in 2025 is estimated at USD 70 million, and is set to grow at about 12% annually. Commercialisaion of VRFB-based BESS is still something to be seen in India, as this technology is still relatively new and is in stages of being explored.“India is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition, and the rapid commercialisation of advanced battery technologies including VRFB will be crucial for integrating renewables and ensuring grid reliability”, as per Mr. Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director, Customized Energy Solutions.
