A center to develop battery cells using indigenous technology will soon come up in Chikhli. The facility will be established at the COEP Technological University's Research Park in Chikhli, for which the university has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JSW Projects, a part of the JSW Group. It is claimed to be the first center in the country dedicated to battery prototyping and small-scale testing.
The project will be executed in two phases with a total investment exceeding Rs 800 crore. Initially, a research center will be set up to design, simulate, and prototype cells made from lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and other new chemistries. In the subsequent phase, a facility for quality testing and certification of the manufactured cells will be launched.
The agreement was signed by Executive Vice President Naresh Lalwani on behalf of the JSW Group, and Registrar Dr. D. N. Sonawane on behalf of the university. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sunil Bhirud and other university officials were present on the occasion.
The center is estimated to create over 1,000 jobs in the battery-related industry. It will also benefit the electric vehicle, energy storage systems, and renewable energy sectors. JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal noted that this partnership is significant as it will allow cells capable of withstanding India's hot climate to be designed and tested within the country.
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sunil Bhirud said the initiative will provide university students with hands-on opportunities to work on new battery technologies and will also give a boost to research.
