Axis Solutions is a prominent player in industrial automation, instrumentation, and control systems, catering to a wide spectrum of engineering industries like oil & gas, petrochemicals, power, coal & mining, etc. Axis specializes in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing into its solutions, making them innovative and future-ready. In this exclusive interaction, we have Dr Bijal Sanghvi, Managing Director, Axis Solutions Pvt Ltd, discussing how his company is helping the power transmission & distribution value chain to become more efficient and resilient through a suite of innovative solutions.
The power transmission & distribution (T&D) value chain is getting increasingly automated and digitized. How is Axis serving this sector?
Axis Solutions is playing a significant role in automating and digitizing the power T&D sector by providing advanced products and solutions that enhance operational efficiency and reliability. The high-quality inverter panels, deployed in solar and wind plants, help to optimize the energy conversion process and ensure smoother operations at renewable energy facilities. Axis also offers innovative solutions for integrating and monitoring energy generation data at solar plants, enabling seamless connectivity with central control rooms for better decision-making and oversight.
Additionally, Axis’s range of IoT-enabled devices gathers and transmits real-time data from remote locations, allowing for continuous monitoring of equipment health, energy consumption, and grid conditions. This real-time data helps utilities and plant operators respond swiftly to any potential issues, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. By facilitating remote monitoring and predictive maintenance, Axis helps the T&D sector move toward a more automated, efficient, and secure energy grid, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources and smart grid technologies.
As we understand, Axis Solutions largely provides technological solutions to the industrial sector. As far as thermal power generation plants are concerned, what are the specific products and solutions that you offer?
Axis Solutions provides a range of advanced products and solutions to the power generation sector, including gas analysers, continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS), steam & water analysis systems (SWAS), and cloud-based platforms for environmental, boiler performance, energy, and smart utility management.
Additionally, we also offer ambient air and weather monitoring systems. These solutions are deployed at major power companies like Torrent Power, Adani Power, etc. With a strong commitment to supporting India’s decarbonisation goals, Axis’s CEMS helps industries monitor and control their emissions, contributing to efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
We learn that Axis has collaborations with several leading foreign brands for specific solutions. Do you have tie-ups with respect to solutions offered to the power sector?
We have collaborations with leading foreign brands for specific solutions in the power sector. We offer industrial networking products that help integrate and monitor various parameters at every level—power generation, transmission, and distribution.
At Axis, we also provide multifunction controllers that comply with IEC61850 and IEC60870 standards, essential for substation automation. To enhance reliability and efficiency, Axis offers remote monitoring and access solutions, enabling seamless remote operation and maintenance of power plants. These solutions ensure comprehensive oversight and optimal performance across the power system.
Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly relevant for power grids. What are the specific offerings that Axis has to this effect?
Yes, as digital technologies and IoT become more integrated into the energy sector, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly vital for power grids. Axis Solutions addresses this need by offering hardware that complies with IEC62443 cybersecurity standards, ensuring robust protection for critical infrastructure in the power sector. In addition, Axis’s cloud-based solutions are equipped with advanced security features to safeguard against cyber threats. These solutions not only protect data integrity but also ensure secure remote monitoring and management of power systems, helping utilities mitigate risks and maintain the resilience of their operations in an evolving threat landscape.
We understand that Axis has solutions for battery energy storage systems. Please elaborate.
Axis Solutions offers comprehensive solutions to support advancements in battery energy storage systems (BESS), which are critical for managing energy from renewable sources like solar and wind. Axis provides e-houses, which are modular, prefabricated electrical buildings that house energy storage systems, enabling efficient integration of these systems into power grids. These e-houses help in optimizing space and reducing installation time, while ensuring the seamless integration of intermittent renewable energy sources with the grid. By facilitating the storage and release of energy when needed, Axis plays a key role in enhancing grid stability, balancing supply and demand, and supporting the wider adoption of clean energy solutions.
We observe that remote monitoring of assets – especially with respect to high-voltage equipment like transformers – is becoming popular. Does Axis provide services for such remote monitoring?
Yes, Axis Solutions offers two technologies for remote monitoring and access of high-voltage equipment like transformers:
- Cloud-Based Remote Monitoring & Access: This solution allows real-time monitoring and control of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) on the field via a cloud platform, enabling proactive management based on event triggers
- VPN-Based Remote Monitoring & Access: This solution uses a VPN server, eliminating the need for cloud infrastructure, to securely monitor and access IEDs remotely
The role of renewable energy is only going to increase in the years to come, which can potentially lead to grid imbalances. What specific solutions do you foresee the electric grid requiring in future?
As renewable energy continues to grow, managing grid imbalances will become increasingly important. Axis Solutions offers key technologies to address this, including real-time monitoring and forecasting systems. Our multifunction controllers, compliant with IEC60870 and IEC61850 standards, help maintain grid stability by ensuring a balance between supply and demand. Additionally, Axis’s weather monitoring systems provide accurate forecasts, enhancing generation and demand predictions, which is crucial for mitigating grid imbalances and improving overall energy management.
