Sustainable Power Supply With Decreased Emissions

India's commitment to Net Zero is both commendable and inspiring. The ambitious target of Net Zero by 2070 is achievable through realistic milestones such as 50 percent of installed power capacity coming from non-fossil sources by 2030 and becoming energy independent by 2047.

As the nation concentrates on the energy transition to reduce carbon emissions, investments in renewable energy projects in India will rise by more than 83 percent, reaching approximately $16.5 billion in 2024, according to power ministry estimates. This aligns with India’s goal of having 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

Growth in energy consumption is often used as a practical barometer to measure a nation’s economic progress. The same holds true for India. To achieve global prominence, India needs a reliable and sustainable power supply.Generators play a key role in overcoming electricity shortages and ensuring a continuous and sustainable power source.

Powering the constantly moving wheels of critical sectors

India has seen a significant improvement over the past decade, with power outages reducing from 4.5 percent in 2014 to under 1 percent in 2024. However, despite the progress made, dependable backup power for industrial, commercial, and residential premises is now more necessary than ever.

Minimising downtime and financial losses is crucial, especially for mission-critical operations in sectors like telecommunications or healthcare, where regulations often mandate backup power. In these scenarios, generators known for their cost-effectiveness and ease of installation provide a significant return on investment by safeguarding business operations and productivity during unexpected outages.

Let us look at a few examples where gensets could be a great value addition to providing an uninterrupted power supply:

Hospitals and healthcare: Uninterrupted power supply translates into the critical ability to save lives. Life-saving equipment, emergency life support, and operation theatres must be backed by adequate genset capacity.

The pandemic reiterated the need for sustained power to ensure crucial equipment such as life support machines, ventilators, and incubators runs smoothly and unhindered. Additionally, gensets in hospitals and the healthcare sector must exhibit a higher calibre and increased robustness.

Residential realty: Consistent power is the backbone of industries, and residential real estate is one of the largest energy consumers.Power outages disrupt not just our homes but also the countless ancillary activities that have become commonplace, like remote work and online learning.

When the grid falters, it's not just domestic routines that suffer, but entire mini-economies within our homes.Homes equipped with generators are often seen as more desirable by potential buyers. Home buyers are becoming increasingly aware and demanding sustainable yet efficient power backup facilities across metros in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Retail and supermarkets: Insufficient backup power can wreak havoc on storing goods and routine operations, impacting the reputation of malls and outlets in the retail sector. Power failure incidents in the retail industry, especially in energy-dependent segments like supermarkets, can harm consumers and sales.

The financial hit on sales and lost inventory are some of the leading factors in equipping retail businesses with sustainable backup power, thereby pushing the need for high-end generators.

Entering an era of sustainable power supply with decreased emissions

India's move to enforce stricter emission standards for generators is a positive step towards a decarbonised future, especially as the country aims to become the world's manufacturing hub and the third-largest economy by 2030.

These norms ensure that the new CPCB IV+ compliant power generation engines reduce particulate matter (PM) and harmful oxides of nitrogen (NOx) content in genset exhaust by approximately 90 percent in comparison to the current CPCB II norms.

CPCB IV+-compliant gensets have undergone a significant engineering and technological transition. Equipped with advanced electronic engines and emission control technologies like electronic fuel systems, advanced after-treatment systems (ATS), and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems, these gensets are expected to lead to efficient fuel combustion, improved pollutant control, and enhanced fuel economy.

As India strives to become a major economic player, the integration of sustainable power solutions is imperative. While the nation prioritises sustainability, the emergence of CPCB IV+ gensets marks a significant leap, offering reduced emissions and increased efficiency without compromising on dependability, all fueled by advanced engineering marvels.

(Shveta Arya is the Business Head of Power Systems at Cummins India.)