Cummins CPCB IV+ gensets for emission-free future

By Staff Report December 26, 2024 3:38 pm IST

We believe that innovation and collaboration can accelerate the path to sustainability by ensuring responsible economic growth that prioritises environmental preservation and energy resilience. Jameson Mendonca, Power Generation Business Leader at Cummins India Limited, shares the importance of a decarbonised future for mitigating climate change and creating a sustainable world.

How does Cummins’ CPCB IV+ gensets technology contribute to India’s Net Zero 2070 goal?

The Indian genset industry is experiencing a transformative era due to the shift towards cleaner energy, requiring innovation and adaptation to meet evolving energy needs. Cummins’ CPCB IV+ compliant gensets are important in supporting India’s ambitious Net Zero 2070 goal. Through rigorous innovation, gensets incorporate advanced engines and emission control technologies, enabling a reduction in particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by up to 90%. These gensets have an improved fuel economy resulting in lower CO2 emissions.

How are CPCB IV+ gensets beneficial for the manufacturing sector? What are the long-term benefits they can see?

The manufacturing sector, which contributes to 17% of the country’s GDP, is a vital growth engine. Severe and frequent power outages disrupt production cycles, resulting in lost man-hours, equipment failures, and financial losses. It is estimated that 40% of industrial units in India use diesel gensets for backup power. Power backup is indispensable for ensuring uninterrupted operations in the manufacturing sector, especially as the industry faces increasing demands for efficiency and sustainability. 

Cummins’ CPCB IV+ compliant gensets are designed to tackle challenges and align with the sector’s growing emphasis on sustainability. For manufacturing units that operate on tight schedules, this reliability is invaluable. Advanced controls have been embedded in gensets to improve the monitoring of operations, voltage regulation, fuel efficiency, and automated shutdown in case of failure. This integration has resulted in lower operational costs and reduced emissions. Equipped with IoT sensors and telematics, these devices enable real-time monitoring, performance analytics, and remote diagnostics, leading to optimised fuel use, reduced downtime, and predictive maintenance. 

Over time, these advantages lead to reduced ownership costs, improved sustainability credentials, and enhanced brand reputation. India’s adoption of CPCB IV+ gensets positions manufacturers as sustainability leaders, enabling them to remain competitive and contribute to a greener future.

What innovations are manufacturers implementing to enhance fuel efficiency while being compliant with evolving environmental regulations?

These modern gensets are now equipped with advanced engine technologies designed to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance overall performance. Advanced after-treatment systems, including Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) or Partial Flow Filter (PFF), are integrated into gensets to improve fuel combustion, pollutant control, and fuel efficiency. These systems are designed based on the engine architecture and are tailored to the size and capacity of the genset.

Fuel sensors enable real-time monitoring of diesel consumption, enabling corrective actions to enhance efficiency and decrease emissions. Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) sensors are crucial by precisely regulating DEF injection to reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental standards. Furthermore, compliance with CPCB IV+ emission standards not only results in lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also leads to reduced fuel consumption by gensets, thus aligning with our nation’s broader environmental goals. 

These gensets also eliminate the need for retrofitting devices or dual fuel kits, reducing the total cost of ownership while enhancing performance, fuel economy, and equipment reliability. Together, these advancements meet environmental regulations, improve fuel efficiency, and lower operational costs.

What steps can accelerate green and sustainable energy consumption while regulating harmful emissions?

The adoption of green energy necessitates a comprehensive strategy that encompasses cleaner technologies, enhanced energy efficiency, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Cummins CPCB IV+ gensets meet stringent emission standards, reducing pollutants like NOx, CO, and particulate matter while using cleaner fuels such as natural gas or biofuels to lower carbon footprints. While new CPCBIV+ gensets with BSVI vehicles are cleaner, regulations are needed to phase out older emission norms gensets and vehicles. Government incentives, stricter regulations, and financial support can accelerate this transition. Trends like transport electrification, smart grids, and microgrids offer decentralised, low-emission energy solutions, aligning with COP29’s vision to cut emissions by 2030. With digital advancements and public-private partnerships, we are driving energy innovation toward a sustainable future.