Sudhir Pathak, Head – Central Design and Engg (CDE), QA, Green Hydrogen, Hero Future Energies, talks about the benefits of renewable energy.

Tell us about the various means through which you supply renewable sources of energy.

We supply renewable energy (solar and wind) in different configurations such as rooftop solar, ground mount large scale solar, large scale wind, solar and wind combo (hybrid), solar and wind along with battery storage, etc. We have also started with micro wind-cum-solar (KW scale) format and green hydrogen, which is generated through renewable energy (RE). We are planning to produce and provide green hydrogen on a large scale.

Which of your renewable energy sources can contribute to the cement industry?

All the above mentioned sources can contribute to the cement industry. We supply renewable energy (solar/wind) from remote locations through open access. We have already done this for cement companies in tier I cities. Further, as the cement industry is one of the biggest scope-1 emitter of GreenHouse Gases (GHG), with green hydrogen, we can decarbonise it by transforming the heating processes.

Can renewable sources replace fossil fuels and produce similar results?

It is 100 per cent possible and this is going to happen. Renewable energy has the potential to replace scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, which happen due to fossil fuel applications or due to feedstock. With renewable energy and green hydrogen replacing scope-2 emitters, derivatives such as green ammonia, green methanol and RE-based electrification can be the panacea we are looking for. It is definitely not easy and there are many challenges in this transition.

Replacing scope-2 emitters with 100 per cent RE sources would need long term storage, Statcoms, etc., which means higher costs and other challenges. These issues can be resolved in due course of time with the help of technology and policy support.

Tell us about the use of automation and technology.

As a technology-driven organisation, we always work ahead of the curve. In our operations, we are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools for sweating our assets to the maximum. We have already deployed IoTs and data analytics in several of our machines, including wind farms, for predictive and prescriptive analytics. 

What are the major challenges that you face?

The first major challenge in RE sources is availability of land and evacuation infrastructure. Secondly is policy consistency with reference to open access, captive structure, banking rules, etc.

And the third major challenge is availability of water for cleaning.

Tell us about the innovations that industries can look forward to in the near future.

1. Innovations in the field of data analytics.

2. AI/ML in the operations of solar and wind plants.

3. Long duration storage solution to model RE as base load station. Pumped hydro is currently being used but it is not a viable or long term solution. We need to have other solutions such as liquid air storage, metal air batteries, etc.

4. Innovations in hydrogen and its derivative space to make it viable.