Indian deep-tech startup Meine Electric has announced that its Fast Charge Long Discharge (FCLD) iron-air battery system has been independently validated by Customized Energy Solutions (CES), a global energy services and technology company and parent organisation of the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). The validation marks a significant milestone for the company’s long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology.
According to Meine Electric, the FCLD system is the world’s first fast-charging iron-air battery designed for daily-cycling long-duration energy storage, capable of charging in six hours and discharging continuously for 18 hours.
Third-Party Validation Strengthens Technology Claims
CES Battery Laboratory evaluated two iron-air electrochemical cells under a structured testing protocol covering:
- Electrochemical performance
- Capacity retention
- Operational stability
- Six-hour charge and 18-hour discharge operating cycle
The company said the successful validation provides independent verification of the battery’s performance as it advances toward commercial deployment.
A New Approach to Iron-Air Storage
Traditional iron-air battery systems have largely focused on multi-day storage applications, with companies such as Form Energy and Ore Energy developing solutions capable of discharging for up to 100 hours. Meine Electric’s proprietary electrode processes and system architecture instead target daily-cycling energy storage, making the technology suitable for renewable energy integration and grid balancing.
Key Highlights
- Six-hour charging capability
- 18-hour continuous discharge
- Levelised cost of storage below $0.05/kWh (around ₹5/kWh)
- Designed to complement lithium-ion battery systems
- Focused on renewable grid applications
Founded in 2023 by Mohan Kakkar and Stuti Kakkar, Meine Electric says it is the first company in the Asia-Pacific region and the third globally developing iron-air long-duration energy storage technology. The CES validation adds independent credibility as the startup prepares for pilot deployments and larger-scale demonstrations, reinforcing its ambition to deliver affordable and reliable energy storage for renewable power systems.
