By Nilesh Chandgude for BIS Mumbai

The Don Bosco Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Chinchwad, in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and under the Indo-German StoREin initiative, successfully organized a one-day Faculty Upskilling Programme on Energy Storage Systems and Applications. 

 This timely initiative aimed to enhance the technical competencies of ITI and vocational training faculty in emerging energy storage technologies, addressing the critical gaps in India's renewable energy ecosystem. Over 50 educators from neighbouring ITI gathered, fostering a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange amid the nation's push toward sustainable development.

 The programme kicked off with a formal inaugural session. Fr Anton D’Souza, Rector of Don Bosco, delivered the inaugural address, passionately underscoring the pivotal role of energy storage in India's green transition. He stressed equipping educators with cutting-edge knowledge to cultivate a future-ready workforce, urging participants to weave these technologies into practical teaching modules. "Our faculty are the architects of tomorrow's skilled engineers," he remarked, inspiring the audience.

 A warm welcome address from TERI and Don Bosco ITI representatives set a collaborative tone. Mr. Bernhard Max Volevker, Head of Projects at GIZ India, provided a comprehensive context-setting overview of the StoREin Project, highlighting Indo-German partnerships in advancing battery storage innovations.

 The keynote by Dr. Jeevan Kumar Jethani, Sr. Director/Scientist-F at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, delved into policy frameworks, emphasizing energy storage's indispensable role in achieving India's 500 GW renewable capacity and net-zero emissions by 2070.

 Technical sessions featured renowned experts. Mr Shirish Garud, Consultant at TERI, introduced Energy Storage Systems (ESS), exploring their necessity for grid stability amid fluctuating solar and wind inputs. Dr Vikram Singh, also from TERI, unpacked fundamentals of batteries—including lithium-ion advancements, safety protocols, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) components—through interactive diagrams and real-world case studies. Mr Mummedy Narsimha Chary, General Manager – Technology at First Energy (Thermax Group), offered industry insights on RE + BESS integrations, project financing, and deployment challenges in urban settings. Ms N. Deepa, Fellow at TERI, illuminated benefits for students, mapping green job pathways in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, with projections of 1 million jobs by 2030.

 Faculty from Bhigwan ITI, Zeal ITI, Camp ITI, Karhati ITI, Dagadushet ITI, and Morwadi ITI engaged actively, posing questions on curriculum adaptation. An interactive session on pedagogical strategies encouraged flipped classrooms and hands-on simulations for energy storage concepts.

 The event wrapped with insightful closing remarks from GIZ, TERI, and Don Bosco ITI representatives, followed by a networking tea that sparked ongoing collaborations. 

 Participants rated the programme highly for its relevance and practicality. This upskilling effort not only bolstered faculty expertise but also advanced green skills integration in vocational training, directly supporting India’s clean energy ambitions and youth employability.