Gham Power Nepal introduces Nepal's first soluble lead-flow battery to store clean energy

KATHMANDU: Gham Power Nepal introduced the country's first Soluble Lead-Flow Battery (SLFB) during an exclusive press event on September 4, showcasing an emerging energy-storage technology designed to repurpose recycled lead into clean power storage for solar and hydroelectric generation.

During the event, Professor Richard Wills of the University of Southampton conducted a live presentation for journalists and energy professionals, demonstrating how the battery charges and discharges and illustrating the process of sourcing lead from end-of-life lead-acid batteries to operate the new flow-battery system.

The Soluble Lead-Flow Battery offers a targeted solution to Nepal's increasing need for reliable energy storage as its renewable energy capacity expands. By giving new life to used materials, the battery provides a home-grown, sustainable approach suited to long-duration stationary storage and the integration of renewable energy sources.

The advancement of this technology is a collaborative effort involving Gham Power, the University of Southampton, SOLead Energy, and Swanbarton. This partnership brings together international research expertise and local operational knowledge to adapt the storage system for the specific environmental and infrastructural requirements of Nepal.

Since its establishment in 2010, Gham Power has delivered over 4,000 projects, installing 18 megawatts of solar capacity. The company's work has displaced more than 33,000 kilolitres of diesel, reduced carbon dioxide emissions by over 88,000 tonnes, and impacted more than 60,000 lives across Nepal. Integrating solar technology with smart data systems, the company provides power to industries, rural communities, and agricultural operations to support global goals for clean energy and climate action.