Workshop on EV Battery and Charging Technology in the Chennai region, India
By Tripura Pidikiti, Hyderabad Hub Leader, IEEE IES Hubs and Nodes Initiative
Deepak Ronanki, Organiser, Assistant Professor, IITM, Madras
Anakapalli Vasu Deva, Research Scholar, IITM, Madras
The two-day Workshop on EV Battery and Charging Technology was organised at IIT Madras (IITM), Chennai, India, on 5–6 January 2026 under the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES) Hubs & Nodes Initiative. The workshop aimed to provide a comprehensive system-level understanding of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, charging infrastructure, power electronics, wireless charging, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies.
The event marked the first officially conducted IEEE IES Hubs & Nodes activity in the Chennai region and served as a platform for interaction between academia, industry professionals, researchers, and students. A total of 89 participants from academic, research, and industrial organisations attended the workshop, enabling interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and discussion on real-world deployment challenges in electric mobility.
Strong industry participation was observed, with professionals from Applied Materials, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Elxsi, Stellantis, Magna, Atlas Copco, Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies, Trane Technologies, and Wabtec contributing practical perspectives on EV technologies and charging infrastructure.
The workshop opened with an inauguration attended by Dr. Tripura Pidikiti (IEEE IES AdCom Member-At-Large); Dr. Deepak Ronanki (IIT Madras, Chennai, India); Dr. Vishnu Mahadeva Iyer (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India); Dr. Gautham Ram Chandra Mouli (TU Delft, Netherlands); Dr. Nilesh J. Vasa (IIT Madras, Chennai, India); and Dr. C. S. Shankar Ram (IIT Madras, Chennai, India).
Day 1 focused on EV battery technologies and charging systems.
Dr. Tripura Pidikiti introduced IEEE IES initiatives and highlighted the strategic value of the Hubs & Nodes model in strengthening local engagement while remaining globally connected.
Dr. Gautham Ram Chandra Mouli (TU Delft, Netherlands) delivered technical sessions on EV battery chemistry, battery pack design, thermal management, ageing mechanisms, and heavy-duty vehicle charging infrastructure.
Dr. Vishnu Mahadeva Iyer (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India) discussed charging infrastructure challenges, global charging statistics, and advanced power-electronics solutions such as multiport chargers and scalable charging hub architectures.
The day also included laboratory visits at IIT Madras, providing participants exposure to EV battery testing, power electronics converters, and motor drive systems.
A highlight of the workshop was the virtual interaction with Prof. Juan José Rodríguez-Andina, IEEE IES President (2026–2027), who presented the Society’s global initiatives and the vision behind the Hubs & Nodes framework.
Day 2 addressed emerging charging technologies and grid integration.
Dr. Deepak Ronanki (IIT Madras, Chennai, India) presented wireless charging technologies for EVs, covering charging architectures, coil design, and implementation challenges.
Dr. Gautham Ram Chandra Mouli (TU Delft, Netherlands) also delivered a session on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies, including system architectures, grid services, standards, and battery degradation considerations.
The program also featured a second presidential interaction with Prof. Milos Manic, who introduced IEEE IES membership activities, technical committees, and opportunities for global professional engagement.
by Deepak Ronanki
The workshop concluded with discussions highlighting the role of IEEE IES in advancing industrial electronics research and strengthening academia–industry collaboration, followed by a visit to the IIT Madras Research Park demonstrating pathways from research to commercialisation.
Several students and young professionals expressed interest in IEEE IES membership and future chapter-level activities, indicating strong potential for sustained engagement in the Chennai region. The event established a foundation for continued IEEE IES technical programs and outreach activities under the Hubs & Nodes initiative.