Jaipur Discom and global not-for-profit organisation GEAPP have launched a pilot project to assess sodium-ion battery storage for renewable power at the distribution transformer level in Jaipur. The initiative aims to help manage peak electricity demand and improve the use of energy generated by rooftop solar installations in Rajasthan. The entities have invited industry proposals to develop a 250 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery energy storage system at KL Saini Stadium in the Mansarovar area of Jaipur. The request for proposal was issued during the second day of a national conference of electricity distribution companies being held in the city. The project will examine whether storing electricity closer to consumers can help maintain supply during periods of high demand and reduce pressure on local transformers. It will also assess sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-ion technology, including their performance under Rajasthan’s climatic conditions. Jaipur Discom will provide the project site, technical personnel and operational data. GEAPP will support system design, performance monitoring and technical work, while also training engineers from the distribution company. The pilot is intended to generate operational evidence from a working electricity network rather than relying solely on estimates. Rajasthan Energy Secretary and Discoms Chairperson Arti Dogra said the impact of rising demand during peak hours was first experienced at the distribution transformer level. She said the project would assess the ability of battery storage to ease transformer loads, store rooftop solar power and improve distribution network performance. GEAPP India Country Head Tanya Singhal said energy storage would become increasingly important to India’s electricity grid and that distribution companies needed dependable technology options beyond lithium-ion batteries. The organisations will share the pilot’s findings with electricity distribution companies across the country to support future decisions on energy storage systems.