On National Pollution Prevention Day, the Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) urged the government to mandate electric vehicles (EVs) as second family cars to tackle rising air pollution. Additionally, the organization called for the replacement of diesel generators (DGs) with battery energy storage systems (BESS) in industrial and commercial establishments, citing the urgent need to address India’s air quality crisis.
Recent research reveals that air pollution claims over one million lives annually in India, with particulate matter (PM 2.5) posing severe health risks. According to IQAir, a Swiss technology firm, Delhi ranks as the second most polluted city globally, with air quality index (AQI) levels in some areas soaring to 1000-1200. In light of this, the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) has urged stricter measures to curtail pollution and reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based energy sources.
India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change initiated the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) in 2019, targeting a 30% reduction in particulate matter by 2024. The program identified stationary diesel generators as contributors to 18% of urban air pollution. While the Commission for Air Quality Management has restricted DG use in specific industrial and commercial zones of Delhi NCR, enforcement has been hampered by unreliable power supply.
IESA President Debi Prasad Dash underscored the urgent need to phase out conventional fuel usage to address rising air pollution, particularly in Delhi. Dash also advocated for policies promoting electric mobility, including a mandate for households to use electric vehicles as secondary vehicles, limiting conventional fuel-based vehicles per family.
To further tackle emissions, IESA proposed replacing diesel generators in sectors like hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, and large complexes with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). They recommended deploying a Public Service Layer (PSL) system for BESS, modeled on successful implementations in global cities. These systems can enhance energy efficiency and significantly reduce air pollution in Indian metros.
Additionally, IESA called on central and state governments to mandate energy storage systems in commercial and industrial infrastructure. They suggested introducing a green building code requiring BESS and rooftop solar installations, akin to TRAI’s Green Telecom mandate. Adopting advanced energy storage technologies and transitioning away from diesel generators could be a pivotal step in reducing air pollution and fostering sustainable energy use in India’s urban areas.
