Dr Rahul Walawalkar, President of the NetZero Energy Transition Association (NETRA), has been honoured with the prestigious IEEE Power & Energy Society’s Hingorani Award. The recognition was conferred in the presence of Samir Chandra Saxena, Chairman & Managing Director, Grid Controller of India Limited, along with other distinguished dignitaries at the 11th International Conference on Power Systems held at IIT Hyderabad. The honour places Dr Walawalkar among the distinguished group of innovators shaping the future of global electricity markets. 

The Hingorani Award, named after the renowned power systems engineer Dr Narain Hingorani, recognises individuals whose work has fundamentally advanced the field of power and energy. Dr Walawalkar’s selection is a testament to his two decades of relentless advocacy, technical leadership, and policy development in the energy storage sector, contributing immensely to the world’s net-zero ambitions. 

Those who have worked alongside Dr Walawalkar describe him as an expert who seamlessly bridges the worlds of research and real-world application. During his formative years at Carnegie Mellon University, Walawalkar contributed to the foundational economic models that enabled demand response programs and pay-for-performance services, cornerstones of today’s advanced electricity grids. “Rahul has always had a knack for seeing the complete picture,” said one industry veteran. “He’s one of those rare leaders who can translate complex technical concepts into actionable market strategies, connecting technology, regulation, and business in ways that move the sector forward.” 

In India, Dr Walawalkar has emerged as a driving force behind several of the nation’s pivotal clean energy milestones. He was a chief architect of the National Energy Storage Mission, the government’s blueprint for integrating advanced storage solutions into the power sector. His technical guidance also helped shape the ACC Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, a landmark policy designed to establish India as a global powerhouse in battery manufacturing. Since its rollout, the PLI scheme has attracted significant investment from industry heavyweights and is viewed as a cornerstone in India’s ambitious push for large-scale renewable energy integration. 

But Dr Walawalkar’s impact extends far beyond India’s borders. Over the years, he has acted as a key link between India and the global energy community, joining forces with organisations such as IRENA, the World Bank, the US Department of Energy, and the International Solar Alliance. These collaborations have fostered knowledge sharing and accelerated the rollout of clean technology across regions from Europe to East Asia and Australia. 

In his remarks, Dr Walawalkar said, “Receiving an IEEE Power Engineering Society award established in honour of Dr Hingorani for my contributions to the energy storage community over the past two decades is truly humbling. This recognition has recharged my commitment to accelerate the global net-zero transition by applying these learnings in the decisive decade ahead.” 

Observers note that the timing of Dr Walawalkar’s recognition is significant, as the global energy sector faces mounting pressure to decarbonise. Under his stewardship, NETRA has evolved into a hub for innovation and collaboration, bringing together industry, researchers, and policymakers to fast-track the deployment of net-zero technologies at scale. 

“Rahul’s award is more than a personal milestone; it’s a sign that India’s clean energy transition is earning global respect,” commented a senior official from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. “His work is motivating a new generation of engineers and policymakers to push boundaries in pursuit of a cleaner, more resilient grid.” 

As countries worldwide accelerate efforts to meet climate targets, the role of changemakers like Dr Walawalkar has never been more critical. The IEEE Hingorani Award stands not only as recognition of his past achievements, but as a call to action for the decisive decade ahead in the global energy transition.