Volkswagen debuts utility-scale battery storage: The German automobile giant Volkswagen Group has commissioned its 1st large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) through its energy subsidiary Elli at its Salzgitter site in Germany. This is Elli’s official entry into the energy storage and electricity trading markets. The facility, called PowerCenter, has a capacity of about 20 MW/40 MWh and is designed to store surplus renewable electricity and release it back to the grid when supply is low. The system uses battery technology developed by Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary, PowerCo, and will also serve as a platform for energy trading on the European power exchange EPEX SPOT. Volkswagen launched Elli on EPEX SPOT in 2023 (see Europe PV News Snippets). With the project, Volkswagen says it aims to expand beyond vehicle manufacturing into energy infrastructure, integrating battery production, storage, and digital energy trading as part of its broader electrification strategy.
“For us, energy storage and energy trading represent a new strategic business area with strong growth potential”, says Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen AG.
VION by Vikram Solar: PowerHive, the battery and energy storage arm of India’s Vikram Solar Limited, has launched VION, a lithium battery storage brand for residential backup and electric mobility. The initial portfolio includes 5 products across inverter batteries, integrated inverter-battery systems and e-rickshaw batteries. For homes, VION offers battery packs ranging from 1.2 kWh to 15 kWh designed for UPS and inverter systems, and delivering up to 12 hours of backup. PowerStack 1.0 is an integrated inverter-battery solution for compact backup power for households. The lineup also includes a 5 kWh battery for electric rickshaws using LiFePO₄ prismatic cells and AIS-156 compliant safety architecture. It has also announced securing a 100 MWh BESS order. The launch backs Vikram Solar’s push into BESS space as it plans to build 5 GWh BESS capacity by FY27 and 7.5 GWh battery cell capacity by FY29.
Part commissioning of storage projects: ACME Solar Holdings of India has commissioned 142.67 MW/481.49 MWh of BESS capacity under phase I of its total planned BESS capacity of 585 MW/2,011.24 MWh. Its various subsidies commissioned this capacity in the state of Rajasthan. These are connected with existing operational inter-state transmission system (ISTS) infrastructure. It says these facilities will run on a merchant basis and on a short-term basis before integrating with respective Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) projects under 25-year power purchase agreements (PPA).
PPA for India storage project: ENGIE India has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (GUVNL) for its maiden standalone battery storage project in India. The PPA relates to a 280 MW/560 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The company won this project under a national tender for 2 GW/4 GWh in November 2025. ENGIE says its project will store up to 2 hours of electricity. It is scheduled for commissioning in 2027. The group targets to increase its installed renewable energy and storage capacity in India to 7 GW by 2030.
