What do you understand by Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)? Discuss its applications and how it can revolutionize the energy program of India.

Application of BESS: (1) Storing renewables: Estimated capacity of 185 GW of storage for India's goal of 90U of SOL electricity from renewables. (2) Decarbonizing industries: Electric furnace, boilers, etc. can be powered by BESS. (3) Electric vehicles: USE BESS as power source. (4) Green hydrogen: Electricity produced from electrolyzer need BESS. (5) New age devices: Data centres, Wearable Smartwatch, googles, etc.

Revolutionize India's Energy Programme: (1) Help in integrating renewables by reducing variability in their supply. (2) Producing green hydrogen: Can be done by BESS charged via renewables. (3) Ensuring 24x7 power supply by small scale BESS in rural areas. (4) Storing hydroelectricity generated during excess rain/flood. Challenges: (1) Processing of Lithium - 90% done by China. (2) Expensive as compared to coal electricity. India's recent discovery of 5.9 million tonnes of Lithium in Raj(TRK) [illegible] budget announcement of supplying BESS of 4000 MWh can ensure sustainable energy transition (SDG 7) along with envisioned economic growth.