Concrete

We are adopting AI and ML tools

Published

3 years ago

October 19, 2023

admin

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.

Up Next

Gaztron : Transforming the Cement Industry’s Safety Standards with Unparalleled Innovation

Don't Miss

A Quest for Green Energy

Concrete

UltraTech Cement FY26 PAT Crosses Rs 80 bn

Company reports record sales, profit and 200 MTPA capacity milestone

Published

15 hours ago

April 29, 2026

admin

UltraTech Cement reported record financial performance for Q4 and FY26, supported by strong volumes, higher profitability and improved cost efficiency. Consolidated net sales for Q4 FY26 rose 12 per cent year-on-year to Rs 254.67 billion, while PBIDT increased 20 per cent to Rs 56.88 billion. PAT, excluding exceptional items, grew 21 per cent to Rs 30.11 billion.

For FY26, consolidated net sales stood at Rs 873.84 billion, up 17 per cent from Rs 749.36 billion in FY25. PBIDT rose 32 per cent to Rs 175.98 billion, while PAT increased 36 per cent to Rs 83.05 billion, crossing the Rs 80 billion mark for the first time.

India grey cement volumes reached 42.41 million tonnes in Q4 FY26, up 9.3 per cent year-on-year, with capacity utilisation at 89 per cent. Full-year India grey cement volumes stood at 145 million tonnes. Energy costs declined 3 per cent, aided by a higher green power mix of 43 per cent in Q4.

The company’s domestic grey cement capacity has crossed 200 MTPA, reaching 200.1 MTPA, while global capacity stands at 205.5 MTPA. UltraTech also recommended a special dividend of Rs 2.40 billion per share value basis equivalent to Rs 240.

Concrete

Towards Mega Batching

Optimised batching can drive overall efficiencies in large projects.

Published

2 days ago

April 28, 2026

admin

India’s pace of infrastructure development is pushing the construction sector to work at a significantly higher scale than previously. Tight deadlines necessitate eliminating concreting delays, especially in large and mega projects, which, in turn, imply installing the right batching plant and ensuring batching is efficient. CW explores these steps as well as the gaps in India’s batching plant market.

Choose well

Large-scale infrastructure and building projects typically involve concrete consumption exceeding 30,000-50,000 cum per annum or demand continuous, high-volume pours within compressed timelines, according to Rahul R Wadhai, DGM – Quality, Tata Projects.

Considering the daily need for concrete, “large-scale concreting involves pouring more than 1,000–2,000 cum per day while mega projects involve more than 3,000 cum per day,” says Satish R Vachhani, Advanced Concrete & Construction Consultant…

To read the full article Click Here

Concrete

Andhra Offers Discom Licences To Private Firms Outside Power Sector

Policy allows firms over 300 MW to seek distribution licences

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2026

admin

The Andhra Pradesh government will allow private firms that require more than 300 megawatt (MW) of power to apply for distribution licences, making the state the first to extend such licences beyond the power sector. The policy targets information technology, pharmaceuticals, steel and data centres and aims to reduce reliance on state utilities as demand rises for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Approved applicants will be able to procure electricity directly from generators through power purchase agreements, a change officials said will create more competitive tariffs and reduce supply risk. Licence holders will use the Andhra Pradesh Transmission Company (APTRANSCO) network on payment of charges and will not need a separate distribution network initially.

Licences will be granted under the Electricity Act, 2003 framework, with the Central and State electricity regulators retaining authority over terms and approvals. The recent Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 sought to lower entry barriers, enable network sharing and encourage competition, while the state commission will set floor and ceiling tariffs where multiple discoms operate.

Industry players and original equipment manufacturers welcomed the policy, saying competitive supply is vital for large data centre investments. Major projects and partnerships such as those involving Adani and Google, Brookfield and Reliance, and Meta and Sify Technologies are expected to benefit as capacity expands in the state.

Analysts noted India’s data centre capacity is forecast to reach 10 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and cited International Energy Agency estimates that global data centre electricity consumption could approach 945 terawatt hours by the same year. A one GW data centre needs an equivalent power allocation and one point five times the water, which authorities equated to 150 billion litres (150 bn litres).

Advisers warned that distribution licences will require close regulation and monitoring to prevent misuse and to ensure tariffs and supply obligations are met. Officials said the policy aims to balance investor requirements with regulatory oversight and could serve as a model for other states.