ISUW 2022 Speaker

Dr. Rahul Walawalkar is President & MD of Customized Energy Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. He leads the Emerging Technologies domain for Customized Energy Solutions globally, which under his leadership has emerged as a thought leader in the areas of energy storage, renewables, demand response, electric vehicles, and smart grid technologies. A strong votary of improving energy storage and e-mobility in India, Rahul founded the India Energy Storage Alliance in 2012 and continues to serve as its President. He served as board member for Energy Storage Association, USA during 2009-15 and as the Chair for Global Energy Storage Alliance during 2018-20. In 2021, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) of India inducted Rahul to be part of the Central Advisory Committee of the power regulator. Ministry of Power also inducted Rahul in 2021 to be part of Technical committee to be part of committee constituted to submit draft of comprehensive policy framework and recommend other necessary interventions and measures for promotion of storage related projects to Ministry of Power. He played an instrumental role in providing stakeholder inputs for the Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Manufacturing Program for NITI Aayog during 2019-20, under which 50GWh of manufacturing capacity is expected under the Production Linked Incentive scheme for GOI. During 2018-19 he worked on drafting the National Energy Storage Mission for MNRE. He served as member of standing committee on energy storage for MNRE during 2014-17 and national taskforce for renewable integration by Central Electricity Authority & Ministry of Power between 2013-14. Under Rahul’s leadership, Customized Energy Solutions’ has received numerous awards including IPPAI Power Innovation Award for creation of India Energy Storage Alliance in 2016-17, Brad Roberts Award for outstanding industry contribution by Energy Storage Association (USA) in 2016, USAID’s PACEsetter Fund Award for MICRO initiative in 2016 & 2019 and CII Innovative Energy Services Award for Tata Power Demand Response program in 2012. In 2020, Rahul received the ‘Global Young Entrepreneur Excellence Award’ for his valuable contribution & leadership in the field of energy storage and renewable energy at the World Renewable Energy Technology Congress. In 2018, he was also recognized with India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) President’s Award for outstanding contribution to growth of smart grids in India. He is the recipient of Energy Storage Crusader Award in 2017, Institution of Engineers (India) Energy Award in 2014 and Computer Society of India’s Young IT Professional Award for 2000 & 2001. Rahul holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and Master’s degree in Energy Management from NYIT, United States and B.E. from Walchand College of Engineering, India.