Strengthening grid resilience, Kilokri BESS sets a national model for Discoms

BRPL is actively contributing to national initiatives, such as the India Energy Stack and Digital Twin. The India Energy Stack is poised to unlock new energy commerce opportunities, enabling discoms to gain real-time visibility into distributed energy resources, thereby enhancing dispatch efficiency, improving forecasting, and accelerating outage resolution.

The power sector is undergoing a drastic shift toward a digital and renewable landscape. BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) is at the forefront of this evolution. From launching the country’s first commercially approved standalone utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kilokri to pioneering demand-side management smart appliances and distributed energy initiatives, the company is setting new benchmarks in urban power distribution. In collaboration with TERI and actively participating in national efforts, such as the India Energy Stack and Digital Twin initiatives, BRPL is shaping a more sustainable, responsive, and consumer-centric grid. Abhishek Ranjan, CEO of BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, shares more insights in an exclusive interview with Sohail Khan, Associate Editor at EPR.

What significance does the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kilokri hold as India’s first commercially approved standalone utility-scale project?

The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kilokri stands as a landmark development in the country’s power distribution sector, being the first standalone utility-scale project commercially approved by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). Integrated within a 33/11 kV distribution substation, it signifies a major leap in grid modernisation and resource optimisation. By enabling efficient load management and energy arbitrage, the project offers tangible cost savings for the distribution companies (Discoms) with benefits ultimately passed on to end consumers. It serves as a model for BESS deployments nationwide, demonstrating how such systems can enhance grid flexibility and resilience.

Moreover, Kilokri BESS is also the first project in India to successfully test Secondary Reserve Ancillary Services (SRAS) in auto-generation control (AGC) mode in coordination with the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC). This milestone validates the technical and operational feasibility of integrating BESS into national grid support mechanisms. With the right regulatory incentives and frameworks, this paves the way for commercialising ancillary services using energy storage technologies. The project’s success reinforces the role of BESS as a critical enabler of a smarter, more responsive and consumer-centric power grid, which sets a national benchmark for innovation in the distribution space.

How will the ambitious India Energy Stack and Digital Energy Grid transform power distribution in the country?

The Government of India has launched an ambitious initiative, the India Energy Stack and the Digital Energy Grid, that marks a transformative step toward a fully digitised and decentralised energy ecosystem. Spearheaded by a core committee chaired by Nandan Nilekani, founder of Infosys, this programme is designed to create a comprehensive digital twin of the electricity distribution sector with a special focus on the last-mile low-voltage network.

We are privileged to be part of this pioneering core group, working to map and model India’s vast distribution grid digitally. This initiative is expected to gain rapid momentum with the increasing participation of consumers via rooftop solar, electric vehicle (EV) charging and small-scale battery energy storage systems.

The creation of the digital twin will be a game-changer. It will enable the evolution of Distribution System Operators (DSOs), usher in true consumer participation and democratise access to electricity. Through this platform, customers will be empowered to provide ancillary services to the grid and engage in peer-to-peer energy trading, thereby accelerating the adoption of distributed renewable energy.

The Unified Energy Interface (UEI), built on the successful Unified Payments Interface (UPI), will play a critical role in facilitating seamless power transactions among consumers. This will not only open new avenues for energy commerce but also help discoms gain real-time visibility into distributed resources, enabling better dispatch, forecasting, and quicker outage resolution.

This marks the beginning of a new era in energy management, and I am very excited to be an active member of this initiative and spearhead this programme.

In the wake of peak demand, especially in the summer, how does BSES prepare to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to the masses?

Over the past 22–23 years, we have consistently met peak power demand, with 3,809 megawatts last year and 3,803 megawatts this year. This success is anchored in two key pillars: continuous network upgradation and proactive preventive maintenance. By systematically identifying pain points and weak links, we develop a robust capital expenditure (CAPEX) plan that targets these issues in the following year. We also capitalise and begin asset development in advance, with network preparations starting well before the end of summer, a year-long effort to ensure grid readiness.

On the supply side, our power tie-up strategy includes a diversified mix of long-term PPAs, green PPAs and hydrothermal sources. To manage peak summer loads, we conduct detailed, slot-wise demand projections. Any anticipated shortfalls are bridged using a strategic mix of banking, bilateral trading and participation in the day-ahead market.

We also leverage emerging products on power exchanges to optimise procurement costs for end consumers while ensuring compliance with renewable purchase obligations. Both economic and sustainability goals drive our increasing reliance on renewables.

Additionally, we have initiated long-term resource adequacy planning in collaboration with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) covering a 10-year horizon. As part of this, we are actively securing solar and storage PPAs to ensure a greener and more reliable energy future. This is how we consistently meet peak demands each year.

How is the renewed BSES-TERI partnership advancing smart, efficient and distributed energy solutions?

BSES and TERI have a longstanding partnership spanning nearly a decade, marked by collaboration across diverse domains, including energy efficiency, distributed solar, smart grids, electric mobility, and power quality. TERI played a pivotal role in advancing BSES-led initiatives, such as Solarise Dwarka and Solarise Patparganj, as well as energy efficiency programmes and the design of survey tools for demand-side management (DSM). TERI was also instrumental in supporting the tender process for the Kilokri Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The newly signed MoU builds on this legacy, reaffirming the shared commitment to explore and implement innovative solutions in energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, battery storage, demand flexibility and smart grids. This partnership aims to develop scalable and replicable models that can serve as a benchmark for DISCOMs across India. Together, TERI and BSES are charting a forward-looking roadmap for cleaner, smarter and more resilient urban energy ecosystems.

How do smart energy appliances and efficiency schemes, such as AC and fan replacement programmes, benefit both consumers and utilities?

The smart energy appliances and energy efficiency schemes are approved by the Commission, which is designed to promote the adoption of high-efficiency technologies among consumers. Under this initiative, customers can avail themselves of energy-efficient appliances such as BLDC (brushless DC motor) fans and air conditioners, both in-window and split variants, offered by leading Indian brands. Each brand and model has a certified energy savings potential that makes it eligible for a specific subsidy amount. After applying the subsidy and exchange value of old appliances, the effective price becomes the lowest available across any digital platform or physical retail store. Installation is also included, ensuring a seamless experience for consumers.

For instance, BLDC fans help reduce household energy consumption and collectively lower the discom’s overall power purchase cost, especially during peak demand hours when market prices are high. In the case of air conditioners, old, inefficient ACs are collected and disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. That means we are also removing the inefficient old air conditioners from the network. This enhances grid efficiency, resulting in a win-win for both the consumer and the utility.