Honeywell Automation India Limited (HAIL) had reportedly delivered and commissioned a microgrid Battery Energy and Storage System (BESS) for the Solar Energy Corporation of India's (SECI) Lakshadweep Islands project. It was said to be India?s first on-grid solar initiative using BESS to manage the supply of renewable power.

The project, which included a 1.7 MWp solar and 1.4 MWh BESS system, was part of SECI's strategic decarbonisation plan for the Lakshadweep Islands, with Honeywell?s BESS technology integrated into the microgrid of Kavaratti, the largest island. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, it was expected to save ?2,500 million over its lifetime, reduce diesel consumption by 19.8 million litres, and offset 58,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

At present, the islands were heavily reliant on diesel generators, contributing to high carbon emissions and a dependence on mainland fuel supplies. Honeywell's BESS system, featuring an end-to-end energy management solution, was reported to enable renewable energy storage and efficient distribution, thus reducing the reliance on diesel. Ashish Gaikwad, Vice President and General Manager of Honeywell Industrial Automation India, had remarked that the company remained committed to supporting India?s energy transition and self-reliance initiative through ongoing technological and software innovation.

SunSource Energy, a major solar company in India, had collaborated with Honeywell in implementing the system. Santanu Guha, CEO of SunSource Energy, had expressed the company's pride in playing a pivotal role in the landmark project, supporting the Union Territory of Lakshadweep's energy transition efforts.

The project, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had been recognised as the first non-containerized BESS approved by SECI and was considered a crucial step toward achieving India?s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.