Sthyr Energy, an innovative startup focused on deep technology for energy storage solutions, has secured $1 million in seed capital from early-stage investor Speciale Invest, with participation from Antares Ventures.

Founded by researchers Gunjan Kapadia, Akhil Kongara, and Muhammed Hamdan from IIT Madras, Sthyr is working on mechanically rechargeable Zinc-Air battery systems aimed at providing long-term and seasonal energy storage.

The battery system incorporates non-flammable, water-based electrolytes to enhance safety, and its design separates energy and power components, allowing for modular installations in various sizes.

Gunjan says,“The funding will be used for further research and development and to pilot and scale up the product. The ideal use cases for this technology include grid operators, asset management companies with large renewable energy farms, microgrids in remote areas, and potentially defence sector and island communities relying on diesel power.”

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The company announced that its batteries are projected to provide a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for long-duration storage, positioning them as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. LCOE is commonly utilized to assess the cost-effectiveness of various electricity generation methods.

In India, there are few direct competitors in the zinc battery sector, although numerous technologies for energy storage are being researched globally. Kapadia noted that the demand for long-duration energy storage is more urgent in nations with a higher integration of renewable energy. He also mentioned that this need will grow in significance in India as its renewable energy capacity expands.

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The launch of long-duration energy storage solutions like Sthyr's could significantly enhance the uptake of renewable energy in India.

“Sthyr’s technology addresses a fundamental bottleneck in clean energy adoption, and their founding team brings the rare combination of technical excellence and mission-driven execution,” says Vishesh Rajaram, managing partner at Speciale Invest.