Bhubaneswar: The energy department, aimed at strengthening Odisha’s clean energy transition, on Thursday signed two separate memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with leading international academic and industry partners for research and development in advanced energy storage and smart grid technologies.Under the first agreement, the department partnered with Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and PHENOGY Singapore to collaborate on research, development and demonstration of commercially viable sodium-ion battery energy storage systems for grid applications. The collaboration will also focus on building a robust value chain and ecosystem for sodium-ion energy storage technologies.Officials said sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a cost-effective alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries and are expected to play a key role in large-scale renewable energy integration and grid stability.In a separate MoU, the department joined hands with NTU and Danfoss Drives, Finland, to undertake joint research on next-generation microgrids and smart grid integration, advanced battery energy storage systems, industrial decarbonisation and energy efficiency, and green hydrogen production.State govt said the partnerships would help accelerate innovation, promote sustainable energy solutions and support Odisha’s efforts to expand renewable energy deployment while enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the power sector.Sources in the Energy Department said the agreements are expected to facilitate technology demonstration projects, knowledge exchange and the development of advanced energy solutions tailored to future grid requirements.