We foresee boom in EVs by mid-2019

Dalip Sharma, Managing Director, Delta Electronics India

Tell us about the solutions being offered by Delta in Elecrama.
First of all, we have received good response in Elecrama this year 2018. This year, we have launched advanced electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. We have also displayed a 3-MW central inverter and a few special technologies which are specifically made for data centres in terms of the profile they have made. These are the new products we have launched apart from the regular products. Of all the products that we have displayed, EV charging has been a crowd puller.

How do you view the EV charging infrastructure market for Delta in India?
Recently, Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) has come out with the tenders and only two players-Mahindra and Tata - responded so far and initial batch of EVs will be procured by government-owned entities. This clearly shows intention of government in a particular direction, which according to us is an encouraging trend to watch. At present, the traction of EVs is only in state-owned public sector enterprises. Although the number of cars will be a few thousands in number, this will encourage need for public infrastructure for charging stations. According to me, by 2019-20, India will witness flow of EVs, especially from international players including Tesla. And, this is the time where we will witness a boom in public infrastructure for charging stations.
As far as EV charging market is concern, it will be divided in two segments. One is for public transportation that includes buses, e-Autos etc. For us, it's a big market in itself as EV charging stations will be required at bus depots, terminals, auto terminals etc. Another market is Bharat EV Charger market, which is pacified to Indian specifications, especially to car manufacturers like Mahindra and Tata.

The traction in charging infrastructure will grow in mid-2019 onwards as we will witness influx of international cars which will cost in the range of Rs 2-3 million. And for this, India must be ready with the charging infrastructure beforehand.
But, we will really see major push coming in the middle of next year where you will start to see charging infrastructure on the petrol pumps.

What are your offerings in this segment?
In support of the government's electric mobility drive, we have launched complete range of EV charging solutions in India. The advanced EV charging solution offerings from Delta will enable the ecosystem to keep pace with the growing demands for a robust electric automobile infrastructure. In Elecrama, we showcased diverse portfolio of EV solutions with DC Quick, AC Chargers and site management system. These chargers can be conveniently installed in multiple applications such as parking spaces, highway service, as well as residential and commercial buildings.

The absence of a reliable infrastructure for charging EVs is perhaps the biggest roadblock impeding the rise of EV adoption in India. With our new range of EV charging solutions, we intend to support government's mission to drive electric mobility. Delta's solution also encompasses smooth integration of micro-grids with EV charging providing a future-proof roadmap for a homogenised ecosystem of power prosumers.

Other than EV charging, tell us about product range displayed at Elecrama.
We will go one by one in this case. To begin with, Delta's energy storage system suitable for a variety of applications, such as community, commercial energy storage and utility-scale ancillary services. The system is capable of output power stabilisation for renewable power systems and complementing the intermittent energy generation as well as realising peak demand shifting tasks that reduce exposure to elevated electricity prices. The stored energy can also serve as a valuable backup source during grid outages.

Delta will showcase 125kW PCS, UPS+LiB Solution+ REctiverter+LiB Solution and Battery Rack of 25kWh).

Next in line is renewable energy solutions. We have a full range of solar PV inverters that boast not only industry-leading energy conversion efficiency of up to 98.8 per cent in certain models, but also the highest market share in the grid-connected rooftop segment in India. Delta India will commission 1 GW of solar inverter installations in India by March 2018. 

In case of industrial automation solutions, we have a diversified set of technologies to improve the productivity, reliability and energy consumption structure of manufacturing facilities and industrial processes. By integrating several automation technologies, Delta also delivers comprehensive systems for injection moulding, gantry, food packaging, solar-automated control for water pumps, smart factory monitoring and control as well as power quality solutions. These solutions offer substantial energy saving capabilities. Delta will display a number of demo application of Take-out Robot, SCARA Robot Cell, Gantry Machine and Water Sprinkle.

For UPS and data centre infrastructure, we have a wide range of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) ranging from 600VA to 4000 kVA. We offer a competitive edge to critical applications in need of first-rate power solutions. Reliable, efficient and modular, Delta's UPS ensure the continuity of mission critical operations while reducing their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Delta's display at Elecrama are Double Rack DC, Modular 75kW UPS, LiB battery rack for Modular UPS 50Ah, Unitary UPS HPH 120kVA, Amplon New N 3 kVA, Amplon New N 10 kVA.

When it comes to EVs, charging in stipulated time matters the most. How is Delta ready to provide quick charging infrastructure?
Our advanced EV charger can charge a car in 20 to 30 minutes. So, when you go to fill up the fuel and you go for a full tank, it takes about five minutes. If this goes upto 20 and 30 minutes it is not too high. It also depends on two functions - battery size inside the car and the electrical infrastructure where a car owner is charging. Today, we can say that 20 minutes is a reality but technology is moving fast, and in the coming five years, it could be even shorter.

In addition to providing electrical charging infrastructure to public utilities, what solutions will you provide to avoid burdening discoms?
Let's say, there are 10 cars charging at the same time in the same location - it is a lot of burden on the grid. The grid has to be stable enough to take the load. The only possible solution is to install multiple stations with car charging points which will take off the burden from load dispatch centre. However, we have a long way to reach this point. Worldwide, most of the EVs are equipped with lithium ion battery, hence owner of the car can charge at home the entire night or during the intermittent time. This takes off pressure from the grid.

How do you see the integration of EV charging stations with solar project and a storage system?  
Eventually, it is likely to happen, but at the end, it depends on what kind of charging infrastructure is in place. For example, a petrol pump is equipped with a 50-kW rooftop solar project, and the requirement for multiple EV charging stations is around 60 to 100 kW each, then it is impossible for a solar rooftop to support the entire load of charging location. But again, integrating solar with EV charging infrastructure will initially help.