Introduction: A Nuclear Vision for Viksit Bharat@2047 As India marches toward its ambitious goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, energy security stands as a pivotal pillar in the vision of Viksit Bharat . Amid the global climate crisis and rising energy demands, nuclear power has re-emerged as a compelling solution. India’s commitment to achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 is both visionary and necessary—but achieving this requires a strategic shift in policy, participation, and international cooperation. While India’s nuclear energy sector has traditionally been a tightly controlled domain under government monopoly—primarily led by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) —it is now imperative to welcome private sector investments and foreign partnerships. A reformed nuclear ecosystem can unlock the full potential of atomic energy as a clean, reliable, and scalable contributor to India’s net-zero aspiration...
World’s Largest Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Facility in China: Revolutionizing Energy Storage
World’s Largest Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Facility in China: Revolutionizing Energy Storage

Understanding Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES):
What is CAES?
- Concept: CAES is an innovative technology that stores energy by compressing air and saving it in underground formations, such as salt caverns or repurposed mines.
- Storage Form: It stores electrical energy as potential energy in the form of compressed air.
How Does CAES Work?
- Energy Compression: During off-peak hours—when electricity demand is low—excess power is used to run compressors that pressurize and store air underground.
- Energy Release: When energy demand spikes, the compressed air is released to drive turbines, which convert the potential energy back into electricity to feed into the grid.
- Process Cycle: This cyclical process allows energy to be stored when plentiful and used when most needed, helping balance the grid.
Recent Milestone in China:
- World’s Largest Facility: Recently, China has launched the world’s largest CAES facility, marking a significant advancement in energy storage technology.
- Operational Impact: The full operation of this facility demonstrates the practical application of CAES in managing grid stability and integrating renewable energy sources.
Key Benefits of CAES:
- Peak Shaving: By storing energy during low-demand periods and releasing it during high-demand times, CAES helps reduce the gap between energy supply and demand.
- Environmental Advantage: CAES employs a process that is environmentally friendly, with minimal emissions during operation.
- Enhanced Grid Stability: The technology ensures a steady power supply by smoothing out fluctuations in energy availability.
- Efficient Energy Utilization: It makes effective use of surplus energy, preventing wastage and improving overall energy efficiency.
Broader Applications and Impact:
- Renewable Integration: CAES is pivotal in supporting renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are inherently variable. The storage system compensates for these fluctuations.
- Future Energy Infrastructure: The successful implementation of China’s CAES facility sets a benchmark for future projects worldwide, encouraging further investment in sustainable energy solutions.
- Economic and Operational Benefits: By stabilizing the grid and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, CAES contributes to both economic savings and environmental protection.