Sustainability, energy efficiency, the new drivers of industrial innovation

Danfoss India, head-quartered in Oragadam, is a fully-owned subsidiary of the Denmark-based Danfoss Group, a global player in the energy efficiency (EE) space. The company serves a wide spectrum of industries with products like VLT drives, heating valves, controls and solutions for refrigeration and air conditioning.

We truly believe that today’s solutions can bring tomorrow’s world on a more sustainable path. If we use our energy resources more efficiently, 38% of the emission reductions required to maintain 2 deg scenario can be achieved through Energy Efficiency alone, as has been shown by research from the International Energy Agency. Energy efficiency and sustainability are not about limiting our options or comfort. On the contrary, they are about innovation and creating new opportunities. It’s remarkable to see new solutions emerging where we are able to combine digitalisation, innovation and energy efficiency to create sustainable solutions. This not only improves our environmental footprint but also frees money to be spent elsewhere. Green growth has been part and parcel of India’s economic and environmental policies. India is a signatory to the COP 21 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), to reduce 30 pc to 35 pc of CO2 emissions and energy efficiency is one of the most critical fuels which can enable us to reach this goal.

When we look at innovations we need to see first on what are the available technologies that we have utilised and the technologies that are to be adopted for India. Towards this, there are various measures that have been undertaken including setting up of our R&D facility in India as a part of the $100 million investment. Over the last few years, we have been able to successfully introduce products in industries such as dairy which have not only reduced energy costs but have also been effective in reducing refrigerant quantity and increasing income of farmers. Similarly, there are technologies such as magnetic oil free compressors and the new HVAC drive.  In effect, there are technologies available, which, if used, can hugely impact our energy productivity.

Going Green – when we preach that there are technologies available to reduce energy and carbon foot print, we would like to walk the talk. Danfoss has a global target to reduce its energy use by 50 pc by 2030 as also reduce the CO2 emissions from the energy consumed by 50 pc. This is a steep target considering that most of our establishments are already energy efficient and campuses like Danfoss India are LEED Platinum rated. 

We do work closely with government agencies both at the centre and state especially in the areas of capacity building for skill development in energy efficiency. We have MoU with agencies such as NCCD and NPC. For instance, the MoU with National Productivity Council of India enables us to help prepare the energy efficiency curriculum for energy auditors and we have worked together in training/ skill development of trainees from public sector undertakings. This helps increase employability factor and the overall energy productivity.

Innovation will play a crucial role in improving the overall growth prospects for the country and our Danfoss Innovator Project Award also fosters the same across young students in various colleges. This is a part of our University engagement program, where we work closely with engineering students.  Danfoss has a comprehensive university engagement program that targets the student community of campuses across India. A unique partnership between industry and academia, the Danfoss university engagement initiative plays a key role in imparting industry-specific knowledge and the latest technology for climate and energy to engineering students, besides encouraging them to think innovatively. 

Through collaboration with select universities, Danfoss promotes an intensive transfer of knowledge that creates awareness about its product offerings and technology to the future generation of influencers and decision makers. As part of the program, Danfoss establishes centres of excellence across campuses to help students gain knowledge through technical sessions and hands-on experience on new technologies in the climate and energy space—focusing on cold chain, refrigeration and heating, climate controls, variable frequency drives, power solutions and hydraulics, among others. 

The Centres of Excellence play a significant role in spurring innovative thinking among engineering students, especially toward energy efficient solutions for the future that make more out of less.