A leading provider of passive infrastructure solutions and services with a specific focus on power backup and protection, energy storage, and alternate energy solutions, Greenvision Technologies Pvt Ltd, was established in March 2008. The company offers solutions across the complete technology lifecycle—from consultation, design, implementation, to management of the client’s infrastructure. It manufactures high quality industrial batteries under the brand name ‘Relicell’ and is today a leading supplier to multiple customer segments like banking, insurance, government, defence, manufacturing, IT/ITES, etc.
“Our customers’ needs come first and our solutions are developed to solve their business problems. Our well established relationships with key technology vendors, coupled with our inhouse expertise, enable us to provide customers with reliable, scalable and flexible solutions that maximise the return on your investment,” informs Biju Bruno, managing director, Greenvision Technologies Pvt Ltd, in a conversation with Srabani Sen of Electronics Bazaar.
EB: The battery market is crowded with local, imported and branded products. How does Greenvision maintain its edge over its competitors?
We position ourselves as a solutions provider and not just a battery vendor. Our capabilities are not limited to just battery technology but cover an extensive understanding and expertise in power electronics, backed by solid nationwide infrastructure in terms of trained manpower, warehouses and service centres.
EB: What was your growth rate in the last two years? What are the marketing strategies that have given you the edge in this competitive market?
We set up operations in March 2008. In the second year of operations, we grew by more than 300 per cent but it was on a small revenue base in the first year. This year, we completed three years and we’ll grow 35 per cent over last year.
EB: What do you mean by cost effective battery monitoring systems? Please explain why it is important for any industrial UPS users?
Battery replacement costs are a big part of operating costs for all types of users. Battery failure is attributed to many factors like high ambient temperature, long and frequent power outages leading to deep cycling, improper and inadequate charging, etc.
Many a time, there are disputes between vendors and customers on the scope of warranties where both vendor and customer blame each other. The basic issue is that the usage of the battery and the performance of the battery can never be ascertained without a proper battery monitoring system. The existing battery monitoring systems cost so much that users prefer to go for a battery replacement rather than invest in such a system.
Our system is not only low cost but can be deployed anywhere, and managed and controlled remotely over the Internet. It gives access to important data like charging current, system and individual cell/block battery voltage, charge and discharge duration, percentage of charge/discharge, state of charge, ambient temperature, etc. Such data is reported in an easy to understand graphical format. It also gives out alerts if the operating parameters cross the defined threshold values, thereby ensuring that corrective action can be taken much before the battery fails.
EB: What is Greenvision’s contribution to cost effective battery monitoring systems?
Beyond just offering a monitoring system, we can offer customers a complete solution for their energy storage or power backup needs. Our products, which are integrated with the monitoring system and come in customer-specific designs, backed by nationwide support with pre-defined service levels, give a one stop solution that ensures maximum uptime and peace of mind for the customer.
EB: The life of a battery is an important factor for good performance of industrial UPS systems. How does Greenvision take care of this aspect?
A well designed battery that uses high-purity materials is the starting point. A single design of a battery is not suited for all applications. We have a wide range of battery designs with different AH capacities for use in various applications such as general standby, deep cycle and solar photovoltaic systems, etc. Then there is the installation aspect. Very few installers follow basic precautions while installing batteries and this is the starting point for failures at a later date. The third factor is to ensure that the UPS system or inverter to which the batteries are connected have adequate charging capacity and, more importantly, the right charging profile for that particular application.
In our experience, battery failures are largely caused due to extraneous factors rather than the battery quality itself. Beyond designing and manufacturing good batteries, we strive to train our customers, partners and employees on the best practices in deploying and using batteries to ensure maximum life.
EB: What are the new products that you have launched in the last one year? What were their innovative features/technological changes?
A few months ago we, launched VRLA batteries specifically meant for solar applications. The design is such that these batteries have better capabilities to withstand sustained operations in a partial state of charge. The formulas for manufacturing the plates and the raw materials are different from a conventional VRLA battery. We’re also working on alternate battery chemistries other than lead acid that can give better life in Indian conditions.
EB: Which Relicell batteries would be suitable for industrial UPS systems and why?
All our batteries, that is VRLA and flooded tubular, are meant only for industrial applications. Our designs use high-purity materials that ensure long life and optimum performance. Relicell also has a range of batteries depending on the application–standby or deep cycle.
EB: The selection of a battery for a UPS system depends on a host of factors. Can you explain these factors?
The important factors are the backup time required, the charge/discharge cycle frequency, aspects of the operating environment like temperature and, finally, the UPS parameters itself like the charging current and charging profile.
EB: What type of certification do your products have? Is it important to have certifications on batteries?
All Relicell products are manufactured in ISO 9001 certified factories. Our products are UL certified and this signifies a high degree of safety. Certifications are extremely important, since they ensure that certain standards and processes are followed that will ensure the final product is of a high quality.
EB: What is the replacement cycle for your products? With cycles getting longer, do you anticipate a slowdown later?
Our standard range of VRLA batteries is designed for a float life of 5-7 years and a cyclic life of anywhere from 250-1200 cycles, depending on the depth of discharge. The tubular range of batteries has a cycle life of 600-800 cycles with 80 per cent DOD. The VRLA deep cycle and solar batteries offer a higher life and are more application specific than general-purpose design batteries.
The replacement cycle will depend on the type of usage and application. Batteries used in data centres or server rooms are operating under controlled temperature and in float use most of the time. These batteries can last from three to seven years. But if the battery is being used in a place where power cuts are frequent and the battery is cycled and insufficiently charged, the replacement would be every year.
I don’t see the period of the replacement cycles lengthening resulting in market slowdown. The demand from first time battery purchasers for different applications is robust enough to keep the industry growing at 20-25 per cent, year on year. The effort from any vendor should be to design good batteries so that they last longer and reduce the cost of ownership for the customer.
