Li-Battery Revolution is Key to India’s Fast-Paced EV Adoption

Founded by its MD, A K Shukla, Sanvaru Technology is a leading manufacturer that specializes in providing innovative and customized Lithium-Ion Battery Storage solutions (BESS).

Under the leadership of A K Shukla, who is a seasoned electronics and instrumentation engineer with over 30 years of diverse industrial experience, the organisation has grown from strength to strength. His experience of doing business in global markets such asAustralia, NZ/Pac, SE Asia, India, ME, Sub-Saharan Africa and North America has only further helped cement the reputation of the company as a trusted brand. In conversation with Saur Energy International, A K Shukla sheds light on the journey of Sanvaru, the BESS industry and the EV sector.

Tell us about the Sanvaru journey so far. How, when did you start the firm and the key milestones along the way.

Founded in year 2014, Sanvaru Technology Limited operates in the customised Lithium-Ion energy storage solutions for stationary business, traction and E-mobility and proficient in designed customised energy solutions coupled with advanced Battery Management Business (BMS) and Energy Management Systems (EMS).  In the Information Technology domain and analytics space, we have been working in IOT, AI and IOE. Sanvaru Technology Limited is a leading manufacturer and specializes in providing innovative and customized Lithium-Ion Battery Storage solutions (BESS) for the fulfilment of the 3 Ds – Decarbonization, Digitization, Decentralization.

As far as our journey is concerned, we have founded Sanvaru with little working capital and very small amount of capital investment but with great vision and optimism. The only asset during those times was our positivity, hard work and our commitment for the world.

As Sanvaru has grown, how have you found your own role as a founder changing? What do you worry about the most today?

In one line- more responsibility, accountability, sustainable development towards the nation and the world.

What are the sectors Sanvaru is focused on, and works with most presently? How do you see this evolving going ahead?

Our focus is on the growing demand for high-tech Lithium-Ion storage solutions in stationary, E-mobility, future and smart cities, commercial transportation and specialty applications. Please find below the list of products and services under various applications and take a look into our products, solutions and services are the best fit for the following segments and areas of business:

• E- Mobility and EV Batteries
  • Two wheelers, three wheelers (passenger & loaders), four wheelers (trucks and loaders), industrial trucks and Automated Guided Vehicles (Traction Use)
• C&I / Behind the Meter
  • Demand charge reduction, backup power/UPS, PV optimization
• Micro grids
  • Diesel displacement, renewable integration, grid stability
• Solar PV related
  • Solar ramp rate control, load shaping-shifting
• Smart and Future Cities
  • IOT, IOE, AI, neural network & e
  • – Intelligence.
• Utility services/ Grid Connected
  • Ancillary services, transmission deferral

What is your view of battery waste? How can battery recycling be encouraged?

As you know, recently, to bolster this low carbon infrastructure, NITI Aayog has been collaborating with the UK Government in the areas of e-vehicles, charging infrastructure and battery storage.

Given the 2030 EV roadmap, the Li-battery revolution is key to India’s fast-paced EV adoption. Specific initiatives for the re-use and recycling of Lithium, investments in R&D for sustainable mining and supply chain, and upskilling of the workforce can bring manifold benefits and job opportunities. A coherent regulatory framework incentivising all stakeholders to participate in the recycling process will help develop a battery recycling ecosystem in the country.

How has FAME impacted demand in EV industry?

The Indian budget 2022 as announced, demonstrated strong support for electric mobility through planned incentives for EV infrastructure and EV ecosystem. The Indian government with its FAME-II policy has set up a budget exclusively for charging stations all over the country. Many automakers, suppliers, and utility companies realise the significance of developing a stable, reliable infrastructure and have invested in charging start-ups and solutions. Though home charging seems to be the] most viable and affordable option, new recharging solutions — including adding more public charging locations in shopping centres, parking garages, and workplaces, battery swapping, and more— will be required for achieving a truly green energy society. The initiatives undertaken by the Government of India shows their commitment and dedication towards global energy transition with EVs.

What are the new trends in e-vehicles? E-tractors seem to be really coming up in a big way at Sanvaru.

It’s about time we take a look at the top EV trends – some reappearing, others emerging – that will dominate the EV industry in 2022.

1. EV will not be a mobility purchase but a lifestyle choice
2. More EVs on the road
3. Boosting charging infrastructure shift from Lithium-ion batteries to advanced fuel cells: down the line 3 to 4 Years
4. Range is king

Our mobility segment has been constantly doing great and we are more focusing   on the commercial, retrofitting of four wheelers and E-tractors and they play a pivotal role in food Vs fuel.

How much of an impact can battery swapping make to demand and adoption?

The country possesses a unique vehicle composition with two and three-wheeler public vehicles as primary dominants compared to other nations. Thus, there is a much better opportunity for energy transition to make a substantial social and environmental impact.

Also, the fact that EVs can now be bought without batteries under the BaaS (Battery as a Service) model favors the Indian scenario hugely as it is economically more viable. Thus, battery swapping technology offers increased affordability for EVs and creates an opportunity for the circular economy of vehicles.

Tell us about the E-bus battery, which you are developing.

We have designed and manufacture inhouse battery pack for e bus/ e truck. Presently we have designed this system in 129kwh and the capacity can be increased by making parallel connections. As these batteries are used for high charge/discharge application so these batteries have liquid cooling system. An e truck or e bus has different battery placement as per available space so we can size/design the battery as per requirement.

Buses/trucks

• Payload capacity of 40 T and a gross vehicle weight of 55 T.
• Lithium-Ion battery with refrigerant cooling.
• 258 KwH battery which provides a 185 km range and can be fully charged in 1.5 hrs with fast-charging.
• Power of 360 hp @1200r/min, torque of 2400Nm@600r/min
• The engineering team has more than 8 plus years’ experience in battery system design, including many projects in India and Asian markets, for different areas of project around the world. Also, we have the team have professional skills in mechanical design, thermal management design, simulation, electric design and     software design. Our workers are well trained in professional skills to ensure the quality and lead time. Battery modules are designed for semi-automatic production line for easy scale-up to mass products.

Which parts of India are seeing higher demand than others when it comes to demand for energy storage? What about the government sector?

In the segment of BESS for stationary usage, Maharashtra, Telangana, UP are the frontrunners for our business, but we have experienced a rise in demand from across the sates of India.

In E-mobility, Kerala, Delhi, Telangana, Tamandu, Karnataka are the frontrunners.  The state of Kerala has been on the forefront of adopting and implementing new technologies and the e-mobility trend is no exception and through a MoU signed with World Resources Institute has identified Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode as the first cities to conduct pilot projects (MoU signed on electric vehicle policy for three cities, 2018). The Ministry of Transport has set aside Rs.1000 crores and aims to have 1 million EVs on the road by 2022 with a pilot fleet of around 250,000 EVs including 2, 3 and 4 wheelers, goods carriers and boats by 2020.

How do you keep up with all the technology innovations and changes that seem to be happening all around in the energy storage space?

At Sanvaru, we believe that BESS are essential in enabling grid resilience and integrating renewable assets to reduce CO2 emissions and support global efforts to achieve net-zero pledges. Digital twins to support bankability, optimization through AIoT, and battery monitoring and analytics can prevent accidents, enhance the economic viability of adopting BESS, and act as a catalyst to ensure governments and corporations meet net-zero targets.

“If we say use energy storage as a union of set, collate more people and organisations and make the technology available on low TCO and cost-efficient. Energy-storage-as-a-service is a very promising concept that could achieve that.”

• Digital technology is the fundamental enabler
• New business models will make it affordable
• A new system governance model will be vital.

We trust technology plays a critical role in overcoming the challenges associated with implementing and operating BESS. Key strategic solutions include:

1. Digital twin for bankability design and financing
2. Battery monitoring and analytics
3. Artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) optimization and control

Any specific targets for 2025? Are you looking to get strategic financing or technology partners on board at some stage?

By the end of FY ‘23, the company plans to close the year with the top line in accordance with the business plan to cross three-digit mark crores. Also, the company would start few projects under the new and innovative model covering SAAS Model. Concentration would be on to preapproved fund based projects like PF and Clean tech funds. Initiation of technology-based services for all segments of BESS. By the mid of this FY ’24, the company plans to increase the share of business under CAPEX for three and four wheelers, Auto and Retrofitting of trucks and commercial buses. We want to participate with the Government and Institutional various funded projects and raise funds for the same. Not only that would reduce the burden of working capital finance but also increase the EBIDTA and ROE.

What do you feel about the start-up scene in the energy storage space? Which start-ups have the most chances of success?

We are very positive about the way that new start-ups are coming to the sector, it’s a good sign and brings positivity for the sector. However, start-ups must tread carefully: have some patience and invest some quality time to understand the technology and market. Don’t just assemble battery packs, be an engineering company. Gain the trust of the Government, market, investors and most importantly, the consumers.