Honeywell Automation India Limited (HAIL) has successfully delivered and commissioned a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) Lakshadweep Islands project. This initiative marks India’s first on-grid solar project to integrate BESS, aiming to manage the renewable power supply on the remote Kavaratti islands and drive the decarbonization of the energy system.
The project incorporates Honeywell’s advanced BESS technology, enabling the storage and distribution of renewable energy through a microgrid that operates alongside the national grid. Honeywell’s solutions, including its Energy Management System (EMS) and Power Plant Controller, allow for efficient energy distribution and remote control of battery modules, ensuring safe and effective power management.
Ashish Gaikwad, Vice President and General Manager of Honeywell Industrial Automation India, highlighted Honeywell’s role in supporting India’s energy transition goals, contributing to the country’s Net Zero 2070 initiative. “The integration of our BESS technology into the Lakshadweep microgrid is a significant step forward in India’s journey toward clean energy,” Gaikwad said.
SunSource Energy Private Limited, a leading solar firm, partnered with Honeywell to deliver the system under SECI’s contract. The project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is the first non-containerized BESS approved by SECI.
Currently, Lakshadweep relies on diesel generators, which are costly and emit high levels of carbon. The BESS-enabled project aims to reduce diesel use by 19.8 million liters and cut 58,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, potentially saving ₹2,500 million over its lifespan. Shreedhar Singh, Additional General Manager at SECI, praised the project, stating it addresses Lakshadweep’s energy challenges while aligning with national green energy objectives.
Honeywell’s solution includes fire suppression systems, an Energy Management System, and a Microgrid controller that enables features like capacity smoothing, peak shaving, and constant charging, representing a significant leap towards decarbonizing the islands’ energy supply and contributing to India’s clean energy goals.
