Energetica India Magazine - November 2025

storage systems help stabilise the grid by storing excess en - ergy during low-demand periods and releasing it during peak hours, thereby improving reliability and balancing supply. Energy storage also supports the development of microgrids, making the overall system more resilient. Its deployment en- ables state utilities to provide more reliable service, reduce blackouts and help large power users and critical infrastruc - ture manage peak bills and maintain operations during out - ages, even under extreme weather conditions. The steady in- crease in storage tenders in recent years reflects its growing importance. As project sizes and portfolios expand, there is a growing need for technologies that can monitor asset performance autono - mously, with minimal human intervention. Digital twins use real-time sensor data and historical performance information to predict equipment failures before they occur and optimise operations. When combined with predictive maintenance, they enable real-time monitoring, fault detection and lifecycle simulations that help identify defects early, improve mainte - nance scheduling and extend asset life. This significantly re- duces downtime and enhances overall performance. As indus- tries adopt these technologies more widely, maintenance will continue to shift from traditional reactive methods to a more proactive and data-driven model. Q Looking ahead, what policy changes or market trends do you think will shape the Indian energy sector most over the next 5–10 years? Naveen Munjal: Over the next decade, the Indian energy sec - tor will increasingly shift toward integrated renewable energy solutions, greater self-reliance and deeper digital transfor- mation. We expect to see more FDRE bids replacing stand- alone wind and solar tenders, with energy storage playing an essential role in greening the grid and supporting India’s NDC commitments. A key priority in achieving India’s energy targets will be re - ducing crude oil import dependency, which currently stands at ~85 percent. Other major themes include the expansion of green hydrogen, upgrades in power distribution, continued renewable capacity additions, grid reliability, large-scale ener- gy storage and broader decarbonisation efforts, including the emergence of nuclear energy as a viable low-carbon option. Accelerated digitalisation through AI, smart meters and advanced analytics will create valuable data that improves planning and operations. Policy initiatives must focus on state-level just transition roadmaps, workforce skilling and legal safeguards for fossil-fuel workers, localisation of manu- facturing, easing land acquisition processes and stronger ESG norms. 18 energetica INDIA- November_2025 INTERVIEW