LiNa Energy is accelerating the global transition to Net Zero with its safer, more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion: solid-state sodium battery technology. The company first engaged with Energy Systems Catapult through the UKRI-funded Innovating for Clean Air project, which supported a cohort of seven UK SMEs tackling the dual challenge of electric vehicle adoption and air pollution in India. Selected for their innovative energy storage solution, LiNa received tailored business support to explore the Indian market, in partnership with Social Alpha.

Building on this foundation, LiNa joined the Innovating for Transport and Energy Systems (ITES) initiative, part of a wider UK–India collaboration, to demonstrate its next-generation sodium Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) under real-world conditions. From early-stage incubation to real-world validation, LiNa’s journey illustrates the power of international collaboration in driving clean tech innovation.

The challenge 

Battery energy storage systems will play a critical role in India’s green economic growth, bridging the gap between abundant solar generation in the middle of the day with rapidly growing evening demand for air conditioning.

LiNa’s solid-state sodium batteries are uniquely suited for the Indian market as they do not require liquid cooling or refrigeration systems typically needed for lithium-ion systems in high temperature conditions – reducing cost and increasing round-trip-efficiency. In addition, LiNa’s batteries do not contain the conventional critical materials used for battery manufacturing – no lithium, cobalt, manganese, or graphite – enabling full-integrated domestic manufacturing and supply chains in India.

With viable technology to offer the market, LiNA Energy sought support from Energy Systems Catapult to prepare their offer for the Indian market and to connect to on the ground partners and stakeholders.

The innovation

LiNa Energy is commercialising a solid-state sodium battery which unlocks breakthrough performance and unmatched safety at a fraction of the cost of lithium-ion for stationary storage, enabling renewable energy fortification and supporting electrification of transport.

Use of a lithium and cobalt free chemistry enables the creation of next-generation local and transparent battery supply chains and significantly lower embedded carbon.

The sodium-metal-chloride battery is built around proven technology based on 1980s sodium chemistry, with modern materials science and advancements in fuel cell ceramics. As well as improving standards in safety, performance and sustainability, it commercialises faster by reducing lab development time and lowering the cost of deployment. Materials are abundant and the batteries are ideal for mass manufacture.

The solution

• The Catapult combined its unique expertise in developing smart energy business models and strong overseas networks to create a soft landing for LiNa Energy and the rest of the cohort in India.
• Working with Social Alpha’s Clean Energy Innovation Incubation Centre (CEIIC), the business received support to prepare themselves for the Indian market – including pitch deck preparation and value proposition refinement, outlining how they fit into the Indian energy system.
• They had the opportunity to pitch to local organisations in order to perform market validation, find local partners and agents, and generate sales opportunities.
• India is a huge and growing market for clean energy solutions. The UK and India are collaborating in a number of areas, including clean energy.

ITES-backed pilot in India

As part of the ITES programme, LiNa Energy teamed up with Tata Power to pilot its next-generation sodium BESS at Tata Power’s Smart Grid Lab in Delhi. Trials of the 10 kWh system, which contained 1,440 of LiNa’s first-generation solid-state sodium cells (130 Wh/kg), demonstrated daily solar load-shifting and fast-frequency response, highlighting potential to halve costs at both cell and system levels.

During India Energy Week 2025, the UK Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, met the ITES and LiNa team to mark this breakthrough UK-India collaboration. ITES is celebrating this milestone in bilateral innovation, showcasing how novel, heat-stable sodium technology can unlock long-duration green energy storage in high-temperature environments.

Will Tope, CEO, LiNa Energy, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for us to work and collaborate with Tata Power, one of the biggest players in India’s rapid electrification. With the support of ITES, we have gained critical insights into how our system performs in an operational energy environment. This marks a critical milestone in LiNa’s commercialisation journey, demonstrating the real-world potential our innovation can have.”

Strategic collaborations and investment

The ITES pilot validated LiNa’s technology under real-world conditions and catalysed over £6 million in fresh private investment. This funding is enabling:

• Construction of a megawatt-scale pilot manufacturing facility at LiNa’s headquarters in Lancaster, UK
• Expansion of a high-skilled workforce to over 30 employees

The UK government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team in India has provided in-market stakeholder engagements, furthering conversations with regulators, utilities and potential partners.

Impact and next steps

• MoU and CEIIC membership
  • LiNa signed an MoU with Social Alpha, joining the Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC), a joint initiative of the Government of India, Tata Trusts, BIRAC, Tata Power and Tata Power-DDL.
• On-the-ground presence
  
  • LiNa will establish a local office in India to oversee cell testing, product optimisation and future pilot projects, supporting India’s Net Zero ambitions and leveraging Tata Power’s industrial expertise.
• ITES cohort support
  
  • LiNa Energy was one of 19 SMEs in cohort 1 of the ITES initiative, gaining bespoke start-up mentoring, market research, go-to-market support and introductions to potential clients, funders and investors.

Will Tope, CEO of LiNa Energy, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for us to work and collaborate with Tata Power, one of the biggest players in India’s rapid electrification. With the support of ITES, we have gained critical insights into how our system performs in an operational energy environment. This marks a critical milestone in LiNa’s commercialisation journey, demonstrating the real-world potential our innovation can have.”

Dr Nilesh Kane, Chief – Distribution (Mumbai Operations), Tata Power, said: “ITES’ support in funding LiNa Energy’s pilot is of great significance in advancing ground-breaking battery storage technology, and Tata Power is proud to have contributed significantly to its success. This project is a stellar example of how UK and India can integrate innovation and industrial expertise, to shape the future of energy storage. We are excited to be a part of the journey towards advancing scalable, next-generation clean energy solutions that align with India’s Net Zero ambitions.”

Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia, said: “The joint work between LiNa Energy and Tata Power is a great example of collaboration between the UK’s cleantech innovation and Tata’s industrial and manufacturing expertise. The partnership, driven by innovation, will help deliver safer and cleaner battery technology. I congratulate LiNa and Tata on this collaboration. My team and I will continue to offer our support to further opportunities for UK-India partnership in this critically important clean energy space.”