A leading Indian manufacturer of lead-acid batteries has embedded ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles in its growth strategy to charge its anti-climate change initiatives. A part of its go-green strategy, the company has started making major investments in renewable energy and energy-saving measures. The aim is to reduce its dependence on conventional energy.
In FY23, the company spent Rs 241 crore to install 59.1 Mega-Watt captive solar power plants. This enhanced the renewable energy’s share in its overall energy mix to 12%. These plants generated nearly 47 million units of energy, which resulted in a reduction of 33,514 tons of CO2 (Carbon dioxide) emissions. In FY23, all such steps led to a 12% reduction in energy intensity, as compared to FY22.
In FY23, the energy and mobility company’s absolute (including both Scope 1 and 2) emissions decreased by 8%, and emission intensity on every crore of generated turnover also contracted by 23% on a year-on-year basis.
The company took various steps to conserve energy in FY23. These efforts included installing energy-efficient systems, which resulted in significant spending reduction.
● At its Zero Liquid Discharge plant, the resultant condensate of the evaporated waste liquid was used as the boiler feed water. In FY23, this step reduced the carbon emissions by 858 MtCO2e (Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) usage also decreased by 35%, which resulted in a saving of Rs 29 million.
● Conventional centrifugal blowers were replaced by Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors at 31 of its projects in FY23, which led to an energy saving of 4.7 million units.
● Heater control improvements led to monetary savings of Rs 1.57 million in FY23.
● Air leaks were plugged in, and compressor air was optimized. In FY23, this led to energy savings of 0.7 million units, and a cost saving of Rs 4.5 million.
● In day tanks, baghouses or silos, pneumatic vibrators were replaced by electrical vibrators, this helped in a cost saving of Rs 1.24 million in FY23.
● In the effluent treatment process, AODD (Air Operated Double Diaphragm) pumps were replaced by premium efficiency marked electrical pumps in FY23. This measure reduced energy usage by 0.08 million units, and saved Rs 0.49 million.
● Condenser tubes were auto descaled in water and acid chillers, and in FY23, it helped in reducing costs by Rs 0.53 million.
● In FY23, condenser pumps were interlocked with the compressor, which helped save 0.17 million units of energy and lowered expenses by Rs 1 million.
● Additional insulation was used in lead pots in FY23, which reduced the energy requirements by 0.15 million units.
● T5 fluorescent tubes or metal halide lamps were replaced by light-emitting diode lights in FY23. This led to a cost cutting of Rs 0.54 million. The company also managed to reduce its energy requirement, for each square meter of plant lighting, to 1.5 units in FY23.
The Indian automotive batteries major has demonstrated that by implementing well-designed energy-efficient strategies, a company can fulfil its commitments, and improve its operational and financial performances too.
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