Programme
Schedule
A multi-disciplinary gathering of visionaries, researchers, and policymakers dedicated to the future of global sustainability. All plenary sessions hosted at the TTJ Auditorium, ICSR Building.
Primary Venue
TTJ Auditorium, ICSR Building, IIT Madras
Event Dates
July 23 – July 25, 2026
Pre-Conference Workshop: Skill-Based Intensive Sessions
AI in Circularity
Speakers: Dr. Abhinav S. Raman & Dr. Mudit Dixit
Smart Decision Intelligence · Machine Learning · Predictive Maintenance · Intelligent LCA
High Tea
Energy Audit & Circularity in Energy Sector
Speakers: Dr. Nitin Muralidharan & Dr. Sreeram K Kalpathy
Energy Efficiency Assessment · Carbon Footprint Analysis · Renewable Integration
Networking Lunch Break
Multiscale Modelling in Industrial Practices
Speakers: Dr. Himanshu Goyal & Dr. Jayabrata Dhar
Process Modelling · Simulation Tools · Data-Driven Optimization · Digital Twins
High Tea
Green Economy & Sustainable Engineering
Speaker: Dr. Santosh Kumar Sahu
Circular Business Models · Sustainable Design · Life Cycle Assessment · Green Supply Chains
Main Conference: Inaugural Day | TTJ Auditorium, ICSR Building
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
High Tea Break
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
Lunch & Informal Networking
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
High Tea Break
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
Main Conference: Closing Day | TTJ Auditorium, ICSR Building
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
High Tea Break
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
Lunch Break
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
High Tea Break
Session Title to be Finalized
Detailed description and speaker information for this session will be updated soon.
Give Batteries a Second Charge
Circularity Dilemmas and Pathways for India's Grid-Scale Battery Future
Convened
by WRI India
India's Storage Dilemma
India’s clean energy transition is accelerating, requiring massive deployment of grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) to integrate variable renewable power. However, this transition brings a dual challenge: a rising volume of battery waste and a high import dependence on critical minerals.
At the end of first-life applications (e.g. EVs), batteries retain approximately 70-80% of their usable capacity, making them technical candidates for second-life grid storage. This panel addresses the crucial question: should policy and industry prioritise reuse to maximise lifecycle value, or recycling to secure essential mineral supply chains?
Estimated capital flowing into storage infrastructure.
Usable capacity left at the end of first-life EV usage.
Potential capital savings using second-life batteries.
Additional lifecycle achieved through reuse applications.
A Non-Binary System Choice
The Case for Reuse
Maximises initial value, lowers grid deployment costs by up to 50%, and significantly delays lifecycle emissions.
- Opportunity: 10-15 year extended storage capability.
- Challenges: Technical safety, standardisation, and uncertain residual value.
The Case for Recycling
Ensures material security by extracting critical minerals (Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Graphite) domestically.
- Opportunity: Reduces high dependence on mineral imports.
- Challenges: Premature recycling risks lower mineral quality and increases lifecycle emissions.
track_changes Session Objectives
- check_circle To critically examine whether reuse, recycling, or a hybrid approach is most viable for India’s grid-scale battery future.
- check_circle To identify policy, market, and technology pathways to operationalise circularity for batteries.
quiz Key Questions for the Moderated Discussion
Is second-life battery deployment at grid scale economically and technically viable in India today, or limited to niche applications?
Should policy frameworks prioritize reuse, or accelerate recycling to secure critical domestic minerals?
Which grid services are best suited for India’s second-life applications versus newly manufactured batteries?
How can India bridge the trust gap around second-life batteries related to safety, performance, and warranties?
What regulatory interventions and standards are needed to enable a seamless lifecycle from first use to reuse to recycling?
In which areas can research and development support to scale battery resource efficiency and circularity?
schedule Session Agenda
groups Distinguished Panel
Mr. Deepak Sriram Krishnan
Deputy Program Director (Energy)
Dr. Kuldeep Rana
Scientist E
Mr. S Vijay Kumar
Distinguished Fellow
Dr. Parveen Kumar
Program Head - Sustainable Batteries
Mr. Pratyush Sinha / Mr. Utkarsh Singh
Founders & Leadership (Speaker TBC)
OEM Representative
Automotive Leadership
Academic Representative
Research Faculty Representative
Sponsor a Panel Discussion
Industry partners can recommend and sponsor a dedicated panel in their domain — battery circularity, green steel, carbon markets, or others. You propose the topic, we produce the panel.
Venue
Spotlight:
ICSR Building
The Centre for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR) is the heart of IIT Madras's innovation ecosystem. The TTJ Auditorium features state-of-the-art acoustics, simultaneous translation capabilities, and seating for 500 delegates.
