India’s Offgrid raises $15M to make lithium optional for battery storage

Offgrid Energy Labs, an Indian deep-tech startup incubated at IIT Kanpur, has developed ZincGel, a proprietary zinc-bromine-based battery system designed as a cost-effective and safer alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries for stationary energy storage. ZincGel offers 80–90% of the energy efficiency of lithium batteries but with a significantly lower levelized cost of storage, longer lifespan (lasting twice as long as typical lithium-ion batteries), and enhanced safety due to its water-based electrolyte that reduces fire risk. The battery also supports longer discharge durations (6–12 hours) and utilizes a carbon-based cathode for fast charging and discharging. The startup has secured over 25 IP families and 50 IP assets across multiple countries, underscoring its technological innovation. India’s ambitious renewable energy goals, including increasing non-fossil energy capacity from 50 GW to 500 GW by 2030 and targeting 236 GWh of battery storage by 2031–32, face challenges due