Indian electrical sector evolving with renewables and smart technologies

Industry events like ELECRAMA are vital platforms for showcasing innovations, fostering collaborations and driving the industry’s continued evolution towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

The power industry in India is undergoing a significant evolution, driven by technological advancements, the surge in renewable energy adoption and the rise of smart technologies. This shift impacts everything from wire and cable manufacturing to advanced energy storage, intelligent grid management and enhanced safety systems.

Key players like KEI Industries are pioneering eco-friendly cables and high-efficiency solutions, while Allied Engineering Works focuses on smart metering and utility solutions crucial for efficient resource management. Balaji Switchgears contributes with predictive maintenance tools and solutions for integrating renewable energy sources, and Raythink Technology enhances safety and efficiency through advanced thermal imaging. OBO Bettermann focuses on advanced earthing and protection systems, which are crucial for grid stability.

The industry experts analyse the current scenario and prospects of the electrical industry. Let’s delve into the story to gain insights into the industry.

Technological advancements

Innovation in areas like smart meters and IoT-enabled systems is boosting industry efficiency and sustainability. Predictive maintenance and thermal monitoring further enhance safety and performance.

KEI Industries is focusing on developing advanced cabling solutions. “The wires and cables industry is undergoing rapid innovation, with advancements like higher-voltage cables for efficient power transmission, flame-retardant and low-smoke materials enhancing safety, and eco-friendly solutions such as our Conflame Green+ wires,” states Anil Gupta, Chairman cum Managing Director. The company also addresses the growing demand for renewable energy infrastructure by developing specialised cables for solar and wind applications.

Allied Engineering Works is enhancing metering technology. Ashutosh Goel, Managing Director and CEO highlights advancements such as “dual communication NICs, which enhance connectivity and reliability for smart meters, and dual SIM + DI/DO capabilities specifically designed for distribution transformer (DT) and feeder meters.” Allied Engineering is also expanding into gas and water metering, demonstrating a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the utility sector. Balaji Switchgears is embracing smart, connected solutions. Piyush Garg, Managing Director of the company, explains that the company “offers solutions that have competencies that allow an enterprise to predict maintenance well in advance instead of facing downtime at the last moment.” 

Thermal imaging is also critical, particularly in energy storage. As Martin Lv., Product Manager at Raythink Technology, points out, “Thermal camera technology is crucial in monitoring and optimising energy storage systems. It provides real-time monitoring, fault detection and location, efficiency optimisation, preventive maintenance support, and enhanced overall system security.”

Moreover, OBO Bettermann India Pvt. Ltd. is focusing on advancements in earthing systems. K. Janakiraman, Head of Market Development, notes that modern earthing practices include “the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which enables continuous, real-time monitoring of grounding performance.” Other advancements include improved materials, digital ground resistance testers, and specialised GPR sensors for real-time monitoring of ground potential rise. These advancements ensure more reliable and safer earthing systems for various applications. 

Evolution of decentralised power grids 

The advancements in decentralised power grids are transforming traditional energy systems into intelligent, efficient and adaptive networks capable of meeting the demands of modern energy consumption.

The emergence of ‘prosumers’—individuals and entities consuming and producing energy- is another significant trend reshaping the energy sector. Allied Engineering Works recognises the pivotal role of smart meters in facilitating this shift. Ashutosh Goel, Managing Director and CEO, explains how these devices enable efficient energy management in a decentralised energy landscape. He says, “Our solutions include energy management systems (EMS) tailored for renewable energy integration. Smart meters now play a pivotal role in enabling net metering, sending surplus energy back to the grid while efficiently managing energy consumption.” He further explains that this bidirectional energy flow requires sophisticated communication and control systems, which AEW addresses through its IoT-enabled smart meters, ensuring seamless communication and efficient distribution system management in a renewable energy-driven ecosystem.  

Balaji Switchgears focuses on the critical function of switchgear in integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. Piyush Garg, Managing Director, emphasises the need for adaptable and intelligent solutions. He states, “The growing demand for renewable energy is driving switchgear manufacturers to develop more flexible, intelligent, and sustainable solutions that support the integration of decentralised and intermittent energy sources while ensuring grid reliability, safety and efficiency.” The inherent variability of renewable sources like solar and wind power necessitates switchgear that can respond dynamically to fluctuations in power generation. Garg also highlights the transformative potential of smart grids, powered by AI and big data, in optimising energy flow and seamlessly integrating renewable sources. He shares, “Smart grids, driven by AI and big data, optimise energy flow by analysing patterns and enabling real-time adjustments. This enhances efficiency, reduces strain, and minimises outages.”

KEI Industries emphasises the crucial role of smart cables in modernising power grids. Anil Gupta, Chairman cum Managing Director articulates the benefits of integrating advanced technology into these essential components. He says, “Smart cables embedded with sensors enable real-time power flow monitoring, enhancing grid reliability, efficiency, and predictive maintenance.” These intelligent cables provide a wealth of data on critical parameters such as temperature, load and fault detection, enabling optimised power distribution, minimising downtime and facilitating proactive maintenance strategies. This data-driven approach is essential for building a more resilient and responsive energy infrastructure.

Raythink Technology provides specialised infrared thermal imaging products and solutions for the electrical sector. Martin Lv., Product Manager, explains how this technology enhances operational efficiency and uninterrupted operations. He explains, “Raythink Technology offers professional and competitive infrared thermal imaging products and solutions for the electrical sector. In the evolution of decentralised power grid systems, thermal cameras enable real-time, mobile temperature measurements and routine inspections in various scenarios. This proactive approach helps identify potential faults and security risks promptly, enhancing the power system’s operational efficiency and supporting sustainable, uninterrupted operations.” By detecting thermal anomalies, these cameras can identify potential issues before they escalate into costly failures, ensuring power systems’ continuous and reliable operation.  

OBO Bettermann highlights smart earthing systems’ often-overlooked but crucial role in ensuring safety and grid stability. K. Janakiraman, Head of Market Development of the company, explains how integrating IoT technology into earthing systems enables real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. He says, “IoT devices embedded in earthing systems enable real-time monitoring of parameters such as ground resistance, soil moisture and corrosion levels. This data allows for predictive maintenance, reducing system downtime and ensuring safety.” He further emphasises the role of data analytics in predicting potential failures and enabling proactive interventions. He shares, “The data analytics capabilities of smart grids can predict potential failures in earthing systems, allowing for proactive interventions and reducing costly outages.” By optimising earthing systems through IoT and smart grid integration, OBO Bettermann minimises energy losses, enhances overall grid efficiency, and ensures safety.

Union Budget and ELECRAMA 2025

The Union Budget 2025 is generating considerable anticipation within the Indian electrical industry. It strongly emphasises sustainable development, renewable energy, and infrastructure growth. Industry leaders are optimistic that the budget will significantly boost domestic manufacturing, renewable energy adoption, and technological innovation. This anticipation is mirrored by the excitement surrounding ELECRAMA 2025, a major global platform for the electrical and electronics industry.

Raythink Technology focuses on the Indian Test and Measurement (T&M) instruments market, particularly for infrared thermography applications. Martin Lv., Product Manager, hopes the budget will focus on this crucial market, which is vital for routine inspections and maintenance of power systems. He sees infrared thermography as a “game-changing technology for ensuring operational efficiency and safety in energy systems.” Raythink believes government support through policies and increased budgetary allocations could significantly boost this market, aiding the transition to renewable energy sources. At ELECRAMA, Raythink will showcase its infrared thermography products and aims to forge new partnerships with Indian dealers.

KEI Industries views the budget as an opportunity to bolster infrastructure development, renewable energy projects, and electrification initiatives. Anil Gupta, Chairman cum Managing Director emphasises the importance of policies that support the ‘Make in India’ initiative and provide incentives for green manufacturing. He believes these measures will “propel the growth of the wires and cables sector by enhancing domestic production capabilities and reducing reliance on imports.” He also highlights the crucial role of increased allocations for electrification and infrastructure development in driving demand for advanced wires and cables. At ELECRAMA 2025, KEI plans to showcase its eco-friendly Conflame Green+ series and high-efficiency industrial cables.

Moreover, Allied Engineering echoes the sentiment regarding the ‘Make in India’ initiative, advocating for measures to encourage it under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Ashutosh Goel, Managing Director and CEO of the company, suggests this would “boost domestic manufacturing of meters and electronic components, critical for sustaining technological advancements.” At ELECRAMA, the firm plans to showcase its comprehensive range of metering and utility solutions, including smart meters, power quality meters and newly developed gas and water meters.

Piyush Garg, Managing Director of Balaji Switchgears stresses the need for “tax benefits for businesses adopting energy-efficient technologies and transitioning to net-zero emissions.” He believes a clear roadmap for these initiatives would position India as a global leader in sustainability. At ELECRAMA 25’, the company aims to enhance its international presence and showcase products from its principal partners. Moreover, OBO Bettermann India, led by K. Janakiraman, Head of Market Development, sees ELECRAMA 2025 as a prime opportunity to showcase its solutions, including cable support systems, lightning protection systems and passive fire protection solutions. The company plans to launch new products and engage with stakeholders to understand market needs and expand its global footprint.

The views of the industrialists indicate that the electrical sector is experiencing a shift towards new realms of energy. Focusing on IoT-enabled solutions, smart grids, and predictive maintenance highlights the industry’s shift toward intelligent, adaptive and resilient energy systems.