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May 28, 2023
Enabling telcos to optimise energy use
Enabling telcos to optimise energy use2023-06-09T11:31:39+00:00

Amidst rising sustainability concerns, energy management and the adoption of renewable energy have become paramount for stakeholders across the telecom domain. Delta Electronics India is one such company that is helping organisations across the telecom and data centre verticals to efficiently manage their power consumption. In an interview with tele.net, Rajesh Kaushal, vice-president, Delta Electronics India, talks about the company’s key product offerings, initiatives in the renewable energy domain and expansion plans in the areas of research and development (R&D) and manufacturing

What are Delta’s key product offerings, parti­cularly for the telecom and data centre verti­cals? How is the company helping operators in these segments enter the renewable en­ergy realm?

Delta is a global provider of power and the­rmal management solutions, with a focus on renewable energy, energy storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The company offers a wide range of products and services for the telecom and data centre verticals, including power conversion, power management, power storage sy­stems, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, data centre infrastructure solutions and renewable energy solutions.

In the telecom vertical, Delta provides power systems, rectifiers, inverters and DC-DC converters that are used to power various telecom equipment, including mobile base stations, microwave radios and fibre optic transmission systems. The co­mpany’s telecom power solutions are desi­gned to provide high reliability, efficiency and flexibility, and can be customised to meet specific customer requirements.

In the data centre vertical, Delta offers a comprehensive range of solutions for data centre power management, including UPS systems, power distribution units and data centre infrastructure management software. The company’s UPS systems are designed to provide high availability and energy efficiency, and can be used to protect critical IT equipment from power outages and other power-related disturbances.

Delta is also helping operators in these segments to enter the renewable energy realm by offering integrated solutions that combine renewable energy sources, energy storage systems and intelligent control systems. The company’s renewable energy solutions include solar maximum power point tracking (MPPT) converters for telecom applications, solar photovoltaic inverters, wind power converters and energy storage systems, which can be used to generate and store renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. Delta’s intelligent control systems, such as its energy management system, enable customers to monitor and optimise their energy usage and reduce their energy costs.

Overall, Delta is committed to helping telecom and data centre operators transition to a more sustainable energy future by providing them with innovative solutions that are reliable, efficient and environment friendly.

“Delta is helping accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the telecom sector and supporting the transition towards a more sustainable future.”

What is the telecom industry’s progress in the solarisation of tower sites? How is Delta ov­ercoming challenges in the transition towards solar energy?
The telecom industry has been making significant progress towards the solarisation of tower sites in recent years. This is driven by the need to reduce the carbon footprint of the telecom industry and provide reliable and affordable energy to power the ever-increasing demand for telecommunications services.

However, there are still several challenges that need to be overcome in the transition towards solar energy. One of the main challenges is the high initial cost of solar infrastructure, which can be a barrier for operators in developing countries with limited financial resources. Major operators in the country are now focusing on adding solar to their new roll-out plans as a part of their environmental, social and go­vernance journey to cut carbon emissi­ons. Financial years 2023, 2024 and 2025 will witness the setting up of at least 50,000 telecom sites with solar capacity ranging from 5 kWp to 10 kWp. Delta provides high efficiency MPPT charge controllers, which convert solar power to useful DC power; and hybrid solar charge controller units – a combination of rectifiers and MPPTs for maximising DC availability, designed to address the specific needs of the telecom industry. Delta also provides a range of services to help customers with the deployment and maintenance of their solar infrastructure, including site surveys, design, installation and co­mmissioning. We have a global network of service centres and technical support teams, which ensures that customers can access expert assistance wherever they are.

Overall, Delta is playing a key role in helping the telecom industry transition towards solar energy by providing innovative solutions that are reliable, cost effective and environmentally friendly. Wor­k­ing closely with customers and partners, Delta is helping accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the telecom sector and supporting the transition towards a more sustainable future.

How is the company’s recent partnership with BSNL enabling the telco to deploy re­ne­wable energy solutions? Are there other such partnerships in the pipeline?
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has huge plans for putting up new sites and upgrading existing sites to host 4G/5G services. Tenders have been finalised for setting up passive infra on a pan-India basis for a 4G network, such as for 4G saturation and network in areas afflicted with left-wing extremism. There is a need for new power and storage infrastructure, including power systems, hybrid solutions and power storage solutions.
Delta, as a pioneer in BSNL’s business, is participating directly and indirectly, through various system integrators, in this journey of the new-age BSNL. With large production facilities under the Make in India scheme, Delta is committed to providing cutting-edge technology solutions for nation building. Our USP is our fast roll-out speed, supported by a pan-India service network.

What is Delta’s growth strategy for the next two to three years?
Delta Electronics’ growth strategy for the next two to three years aims to build on our existing strengths and capitalise on emerging opportunities in the energy and technology sectors. The company plans to focus on several key areas, including rene­wable energy, EVs and data centre infrastructure.

In the renewable energy sector, Delta plans to continue developing and deploying innovative solutions for solar and wind power generation. Delta will continue to in­vest in research and development to im­prove the efficiency and effectiveness of its renewable energy solutions, and expand its market reach globally.

In the EV sector, Delta plans to leverage its expertise in power electronics and energy management to develop and manufacture advanced charging infrastructure for EVs. The company has already established partnerships with leading automakers and charging network operators, and it aims to become a key player in this rapidly growing market.

In the data centre infrastructure sector, Del­ta plans to expand its offerings in po­wer and thermal management solutions for data centres. The company has a str­ong reputation for providing reliable and efficient power and cooling solutions for data centres, and it aims to further develop its capabilities in this area in order to meet the growing demand for cloud computing and digital services.

Overall, Delta Electronics’ growth stra­tegy for the next two to three years is focu­sed on building on its core strengths in energy and technology to address emerging market opportunities and contribute to a more sustainable and connected world.

What are the company’s expansion plans for manufacturing and R&D in India?
We have been expanding our manufacturing and R&D capabilities in India in re­cent years, as part of our global growth strategy and commitment to the Indian market. We have set ambitious targets to further increase these capabilities over the next few years.

For manufacturing, Delta Electronics has established multiple facilities in India, in­cluding a state-of-the-art factory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, which is one of the largest power electronics manufacturing facilities in the country.

We are also planning to further expand our manufacturing capacity in India to meet the growing demand for our products and services in the country and the wider region. Our aim is to increase our local production of power electronics, EV charging solutions and energy storage systems to serve the needs of our customers in India and other parts of Asia.

In terms of R&D, Delta Electronics has set up a dedicated R&D centre in Ben­ga­luru, which is focused on developing new technologies and solutions for the energy and power electronics sectors. The centre has a team of highly skilled engineers and researchers who are working on a range of projects, including renewable energy, EVs and data centre infrastructure.

We have plans to further expand our R&D capabilities in India by investing in talent development and collaborating with local research institutions and universities. Our aim is to leverage the rich pool of talent and expertise in India to accelerate our innovation and product development efforts, and strengthen our position as a leading player in the energy and technology sectors.

The interview was published in Tele.net