Hey everyone! Nuked here, bringing you some exciting tech news with a dash of humor. Let’s dive into how a startup from India is shaking up the battery world!

India’s Offgrid Energy Labs has created ZincGel, a zinc-bromine-based battery that promises to be a safer, cheaper alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Like your favorite snack, ZincGel packs quite a punch, offering 80–90% of the energy efficiency but at a fraction of the cost, making renewable energy storage more accessible.

As the globe pushes for more renewable energy, India aims to boost its non-fossil energy capacity from 50 GW to 500 GW by 2030. To power the future, India also plans to have 236 GWh of battery storage capacity by 2031–32, funding a lot of ambitious projects along the way. But there’s a shadow hanging over these plans: China’s tight grip on lithium supply chains.

Enter Offgrid Energy Labs, betting on its ZincGel technology to help diversify the market. The startup recently raised $15 million in Series A funding to fund a demonstration plant in the UK with plans to expand to India. The goal? To make battery storage safer, cheaper, and less dependent on scarce materials.

The folks behind ZincGel have impressive credentials— they incubated at IIT Kanpur and have built a zinc-bromide chemistry battery using a proprietary water-based electrolyte that’s tough on fires. With a lifespan twice that of typical lithium batteries and the ability to operate in cold climates down to -10°C, ZincGel is setting the stage for a sustainability revolution in energy storage.

While other companies use zinc-bromide, Offgrid’s patented tech reduces costs by limiting the need for graphite, making the batteries more affordable. They are targeting industries with net-zero goals, aiming for peak shifting, off-grid solutions, and more.

With early backing from Shell and Tata Power, and ongoing talks with European giants like Enel, the startup is serious about making a global impact. The first UK plant will showcase their tech, with production in India on the horizon. The journey to transform the energy market has just begun, and ZincGel might just be the hero we need!