Kolkata Metro has commissioned a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on the Blue Line, marking the first microgrid deployment at a metro station in India. The six point four MWh system was installed at the Central sub-station and comprises 88 racks, each fitted with an integrated fire suppression system. The installation aims to bolster operational resilience and provide a platform for further energy storage trials.

A senior official said the project represented an initial phase following a successful trial the previous day and that deployment would be gradually expanded across the network. He indicated that planners intended to add an additional power converter within the BESS to capture excess regenerative energy that could not be utilised when a train was not in an accelerative mode. The enhancement is expected to improve energy recovery from braking and increase overall system efficiency.

Delta Electronics India developed the power converter for the project and the company stated that the BESS could transmit auxiliary power and operate any train along the tunnel section between Dumdum and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. The firm characterised the deployment as part of its commitment to deliver critical public infrastructure and energy efficient power solutions across India. The vendor is described as a leading provider of power management and smart green solutions.

Officials said the BESS would support peak demand management, provide backup power during disruptions and reduce energy losses by capturing regenerative flows. They noted the microgrid architecture could be replicated on other lines to enhance network flexibility and lower lifecycle energy costs. The initiative is positioned as a step towards integrating more resilient and efficient electrification measures across urban transit systems.