Que: What is REnergy Dynamics showcasing at IEW, and what differentiates your solutions from others in the market?

Ans: REnergy Dynamics, commonly referred to as RED, is a biofuels company dedicated to a diverse range of products and projects. At IEW, we are excited to highlight our accomplishments over the past year.

Firstly, we proudly operate as a biofuel company specializing in T-EPC (Technology, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), with a strong focus on establishing large-scale Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects. Additionally, we undertake feedstock aggregation, collecting agricultural waste, such as Parali (paddy straw), for utilization in our biofuel plants.

Moreover, our product line includes various manufactured goods. Our production facilities, located in Maharashtra and Greater Noida, are dedicated to producing gas holders for CBG plants. We also collaborate with Emerson to provide automation-related solutions for the sector.

Lastly, we are on the path to becoming a prominent project developer and will soon unveil our first large-scale project in the country. This project will be our primary focus in the upcoming year.

Que: How does the utilisation of by-products such as organic fertilisers enhance the sustainability of RED’s projects?

Ans: A CBG plant is designed to produce organic manure as one of its primary products, alongside gas. For instance, processing 100 tonnes of paddy straw in the plant yields approximately 50 tonnes of organic manure.

Currently, India spends billions of dollars on urea, a chemical fertilizer, and the government is actively promoting alternative solutions. There is also an increasing trend toward organic farming. We believe that the organic manure generated by our plants can play a vital role in reducing reliance on urea and improving soil health.

Moreover, we also produce liquid-fermented organic manure. In light of the water challenges faced by India today, this liquid by-product can be treated and utilized as an excellent organic fertilizer.

In summary, our plant produces three main products: gas, liquid fertilizer, and solid fertilizer.

Que: How does RED ensure the scalability and sustainability of its bioenergy products in different regions of India?

Ans: Beginning with our aggregation business, we are one of the few companies in the country actively engaged in feedstock aggregation across various states. Our operations span Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra.

I cannot think of any other biofuel company operating at this scale in India. When you examine the map of the country, you will notice our significant presence in both central and northern India. In terms of our large-scale EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contracts for CBG plants, we are currently establishing facilities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh for a major conglomerate, Reliance Industries.

Concerning our products, we supply them to all CBG (Compressed Biogas) producers, with the majority of the plants being developed in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. This truly highlights the breadth of our scale and reach within the industry.

Que: What strategies does RED employ to minimise waste and reduce costs in feedstock aggregation?

Ans: The feedstock aggregation business in India, while not entirely new, is an endeavour that requires significant capital investment. RED has pioneered India’s first leasing model for round balers. In Europe and America, farmers can lease machinery, but in India, they often have to purchase expensive equipment outright, which is not financially viable for many.

We have partnered with European manufacturers to introduce this innovative leasing model for costly machines for the first time in India. This initiative allows local farmers to try out the machinery, understand its complexities, and assess its profitability before committing to a purchase.

Moreover, we utilize drone technology, mobile applications, and satellite imagery to deploy these machines efficiently across the relevant states. Currently, we operate over 56 machines and have the capacity to aggregate more than 2,50,000 tonnes of paddy straw each season. This positions us as a key player in addressing the issue of crop residue burning.

At present, when feedstock aggregation does not occur, farmers often resort to burning it, leading to significant air pollution and the loss of a valuable resource. We engage with farmers between June and July to align with their harvesting schedules, ensuring our machines are available when needed.

Once aggregated, this feedstock can be supplied to biofuel companies for the production of second-generation ethanol or compressed biogas (CBG), which is our primary objective.

Que: What are your expansion plans, and are there any upcoming partnerships in the pipeline?

Ans: REnergy Dynamics has recently formed partnerships with several major industry players. One of our significant collaborations is with Emerson, marking their first exclusive partnership in India specifically for the CBG market. This alliance enables us to introduce a comprehensive automation solution, ranging from L0 to L5, that encompasses everything from flowmeters to business intelligence-level automation tailored for the CBG sector.

In addition to this, we are working with multiple European brands and will be announcing these partnerships in the near future. Our primary strategy is to bring advanced technology to the Indian market at accessible price points.

Over the next five years, we have set an ambitious target of achieving a cumulative business turnover of INR 5,000 crore, and we are on course to meet this objective.

Que: How do events like IEW contribute to growth and collaboration within India’s energy sector?

Ans: Events like IEW are essential for our nation. They offer a valuable platform for startups, including my co-founder Kushagra Nandan and me, to showcase our work while allowing global stakeholders to observe India’s progress in the sector.

I have had the opportunity to engage with numerous startups and large corporations, all converging on the same stage. The evident support from the government, the introduction of new technologies, and significant innovations underscore the importance of these events.

India is not just a passive observer; we are an active participant in advancing the biofuels and renewable energy revolution. This reinforces the idea that India possesses the necessary technology, mindset, and policy framework to lead the global energy transition.