ISRO selects BEL for transfer of Li-ion technology

31/1/2019

PUNE: Bharat Electronics Limited of Pune becomes one of the companies whom got selected by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for transfer of its Lithium-ion cell technology.

ISRO has selected ten companies which includes - Amara Raja Batteries Limited, Chittoor, Carborundum Universal Limited, Kochi, Exicom Tele-Systems Limited, Gurgaon, GOCL Corporation Limited, Hyderabad.

GOCL Corporation Limited, Hyderabad, National Aluminium Co Limited, Bhubaneswar, Sukhbir Agro Energy Limited, New Delhi, Tata Chemicals Limited, Mumbai, and Thermax Limited, Pune, ISRO said on its website. ISRO will intimate further modalities to all the applicants through individual communications, it added.

In June, ISRO had issued Request for Qualification (RFQ) in connection with the technology transfer, containing a brief description of the qualification aspects, technology transfer process, timelines and other relevant details. In August, the space agency had said it has received response from 141 companies to its RFQ.

ISRO's VSSC has successfully developed and qualified lithium ion cells of capacities ranging from '1.5 Ah to 100 Ah' for use in satellites and launch vehicles. According to the space agency, lithium-ion (Li-ion) cell technology is one of the "most promising" electro chemical energy storage technologies owing to its high voltage, high energy density, long life cycle and high storage characteristics.

It finds wide applications in electronic gadgets, tele-communication and industrial applications as well as in aerospace. Recent progress in Li-ion battery technology has made it the favorite power source for electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

According to ISRO, with the successful deployment of indigenous lithium ion batteries in various missions, VSSC is planning to transfer this technology to the industries to establish production facilities for producing lithium ion cells to cover the entire spectrum of the country's power storage needs.

Floating the RFQ, ISRO had earlier said, "This initiative is expected to enable Zero Emission Policy of India and accelerate the development of indigenous electric vehicle industry.