Energy Storage Technology Lab inaugurated at SPPU

PUNE: The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) recently inaugurated a new energy storage technology lab at the incubation centre. “This is the first laboratory built in the centre,” said SPPU Vice-Chancellor Nitin Karmalkar.

The laboratory has been established along with Exide company, which will provide equipment for research in this centre under their corporate social responsibility initiative. 

Exide has given a fund of Rs 25 lakh to the varsity for the Inter-disciplinary School of Energy’s ‘Exide-Savitribai Phule Pune University’ Centre of Excellence in Energy Storage. 

“With electric cars coming up in the market, we are moving towards ‘electronic mobility’. Therefore, there is a need of energy storage by increasing the capacity of batteries,” said Karmalkar. As solar energy generates light energy, we have to establish a mechanism wherein the solar energy is stored in the battery and can be used at night. We need to focus on such inventions and ways to store energy,” added Karmalkar. 

The centre is likely to start a few certificate courses, diplomas, two-year M Tech in Energy Storage Technology in the future. “Industries like us need trained employees. Hence, we are looking forward to this laboratory as a centre to produce such trained workers. Also, it can become a medium to create employment for the students,” said Jitendra Kumar, Executive Vice-President of Exide.