COEP, JSW join hands for Rs 800 crore indigenous battery technology centre
Pune: COEP Technological University and JSW Projects have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up what they describe as India’s first indigenous battery prototyping and pilot-scale research and development centre at the university’s Chikhali Research Park, with an investment of over Rs 800 crore across two phases.
The second phase will establish a cell validation facility with the capability to manufacture cells with capacities ranging from 100 to 600 Ah.
COEP vice-chancellor Prof Sunil Bhirud said the partnership could help develop indigenous alternatives to imported batteries while giving students hands-on exposure to advanced battery technology. In the first phase, the centre will undertake battery-cell design, simulation and prototyping.
The initiative is expected to create over 1,000 jobs linked to the battery ecosystem and provide a platform for students and faculty to work with industry engineers on commercially relevant technologies. The centre will focus on developing and testing lithium-ion battery cells, along with sodium-ion and other advanced battery technologies.