Que: How has the genset industry in India evolved over the past 5–10 years, particularly in terms of customer expectations and market demand?

Ans: Over the past 5–10 years, the genset industry in India has undergone a significant transformation. It has evolved from early, bulky machines to smart, efficient, and environmentally conscious power solutions. Initially, power generation was localised, with generators mainly used as backup power sources in rural or remote areas where centralised electricity grids had not yet been established. Progressing forward, the use of diesel engines in gensets became more widespread, offering a more efficient and reliable source of power. These are now used in various applications, including construction, emergency power, and off-grid areas.

Advanced controls were embedded in gensets which enables better monitoring of genset operations including voltage regulation, fuel efficiency, and automated shutdown in case of failure. This led to lower operational costs and reduced emissions. Increasing environmental concerns and stricter emission regulations, like the CPCB IV+ emission norms, led to innovations in cleaner genset technologies. This resulted in the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions, utilising advanced exhaust after-treatment technologies like diesel particulate filters (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC).

Today, gensets are equipped with IoT sensors and telematics, allowing real-time monitoring, performance analytics, and remote diagnostics — leading to optimised fuel use, reduced downtime, and predictive maintenance. As we move forward, innovations in clean energy and smart technologies will continue to shape the future of the genset industry, helping it meet the growing energy demands in a sustainable and efficient way.

Que: Which sectors are currently driving the most demand for gensets, and how is Cummins addressing these verticals?

Ans: Segments such as Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Realty, and Data Centers, among others, are currently contributing to the increased demand for gensets. To address the needs of these verticals, we manufacture and supply fit-for-market products that meet every industry requirement, and we continuously strive to upgrade our products in line with evolving market demands. Our 2-hour service response time to critical segments ensures that downtimes are addressed with minimum turnaround time. Additionally, our CAQM-compliant gensets are readily available to meet Delhi and Tamil Nadu emission norms, ensuring full regulatory compliance.

Que: How is the industry responding to the growing need for cleaner fuel alternatives like natural gas, biofuels, or hydrogen in gensets?

Ans: At Cummins, we work with all our customers regionally and globally to understand the unique market needs. Based on this we continue to invest in green fuel technologies like natural gas, dual fuel, bio fuel, HVO etc. With the technologies ready, we work with individual customers to understand and define the right time to launch these products in the market that suit the customer’s commercial needs.

Que: Can you share any recent innovations or upcoming solutions in dual-fuel or hybrid genset technologies?

Ans: The genset industry is poised for growth and innovation through the adoption of hybrid power solutions, off-grid applications, and emerging markets. These developments present unique opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and reliability while addressing global energy challenges. In line with our Destination Zero strategy, we recently launched the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), further expanding our sustainable solutions portfolio. Featuring advanced battery technology such as lithium ferrophosphate, efficient thermal management, and scalable designs. We are proud to support the innovation supports India’s journey towards net-zero emissions by 2070 and powers possibilities for generations to come.

Que: How are tightening emission standards (such as CPCB IV+ in India or Tier IV globally) shaping product design and innovation in gensets?

Ans: The shift to cleaner energy has driven the Indian genset industry into a transformative phase, marked by innovation and adaptation to meet evolving energy needs. Tightening emission standards such as CPCB IV+ in India and Tier IV globally are shaping product design with advanced engine technologies that improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance performance. These innovations enable early identification of potential issues and proactive maintenance, thereby reducing operational costs and downtime. There is continued investment in R&D for high efficiency gensets that inherently produce lower emissions. Gensets are also being digitally innovated for compliance and efficiency, with IoT sensors to monitor fuel consumption, emissions, and load patterns; automated alerts for maintenance based on emission levels to avoid non-compliance; and cloud-based dashboards for emission reporting, aiding ESG reporting. Additionally, there is an increased focus on sustainability with the long-term goal of achieving zero emissions.

Que: How is Cummins leveraging IoT, AI for better asset performance and uptime?

Ans: Cummins is harnessing the power of IoT and AI to significantly improve asset performance and ensure higher uptime for its gensets. Through a closed-loop system with real-time remote monitoring, our CPCB IV+ compliant gensets are continuously supervised for operating efficiency and emission compliance. Central to this is our telematics solution, ‘ThinkPro’, which tracks performance parameters and instantly flags any deviations, triggering alerts for immediate corrective action. These notifications, delivered via SMS and email, allow customers to respond quickly, minimising downtime and maintaining optimal performance. By integrating advanced engine technologies with smart monitoring, Cummins not only enhances durability, fuel economy, and system reliability but also supports environmental sustainability through proactive compliance and reduced emissions.