Reliable power supply has become essential for our daily lives and industrial operations. However, power outages are common due to various reasons like maintenance work, overload, cable faults, natural disasters etc. Backup power systems help bridge such gaps and ensure uninterrupted power supply. Let us understand why backup power has become so important.

Our increasing dependence on electricity for various activities like lighting, cooking, operating electronic devices, running businesses etc. means even short outages can be disruptive. Industrial operations also require stable power supply to function round the clock. Any breakdown disrupts production and revenue. Backup power allows critical operations to continue seamlessly during outages through alternate power sources.

Natural calamities like cyclones, floods, earthquakes are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Such disasters commonly damage electricity infrastructure, halting supply for prolonged periods. Access to alternate power through backup systems is crucial for emergency response and restoration work in affected areas. It also boosts resilience against future extreme weather events.

Types of Backup Power Systems

Given the necessity of uninterrupted power, various backup solutions have emerged in the marketplace. Their suitability depends on the application and power needs.

Diesel Generators: Diesel generators are the most common backup power source for domestic, commercial and industrial consumers. They provide on-site power generation during outages through diesel engines connected to alternators. Diesel generators are highly mobile and reliable, with auto-start features to instantly take over from mains supply. Their drawback is noise and maintenance of diesel fuel.

Natural Gas Generators: Similar to diesel generators but run on cleaner burning natural gas. They have reduced emissions and operational costs compared to diesel. However, gas networks need to be present for supply.Transportable power stations are large natural gas generators for backup power at remote locations.

Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS): UPS systems store energy using battery banks that instantly provide backup electricity during brief interruptions until the primary power is restored or a generator kicks in. They are suitable for critical loads like computers, medical equipment that cannot afford even momentary power losses.

Solar + Storage: Combining solar photovoltaic panels with battery banks provides a green self-sufficient backup system. The batteries store solar energy for use during outages and cloudy conditions. They are viable for low power applications and in areas lacking grid access. Increased battery capacity supports longer backup durations.

The Growing Backup Power Market in India

India has emerged as one of the largest backup power markets globally due to expanding electricity demand amid frequent outages. As per industry reports, the total Indian backup power market was estimated at over ₹27,000 crore in 2020 and is expanding at over 10% annually.

The industrial sector accounted for the major share of nearly 40% due to strong demand from core industries like manufacturing, mining, refining, data centers, cold storage etc. Diesel generators remain the technology of choice for critical industrial processes that cannot afford downtime.

The commercial sector, including hotels, malls, offices was the second largest consumer segment. Establishments require backup power for lighting, air conditioning, elevators, ATMs as outages hurt operations and customer experience. UPS systems are common choices here apart from diesel generators.

Residential backup power adoption is rising steadily with growing electrification and affordability of solar-storage systems. Middle-class homes now want stable power for electronics, appliances as power cuts are frequent in some regions. Remote villages also depend on standalone solar-battery systems for basic electricity needs.

Future of Backup Power

With climate threats and infrastructure constraints ensuring outages remain a problem, demand for reliable backup power solutions will keep rising in India and globally. Innovation and integration of green technologies will drive future backup markets.

Focus on hybrid systems combining advanced lead-acid, lithium-ion batteries with generators and renewable energy will provide cleaner, affordable options. Off-grid villages can be electrified through micro-grids powered by solar-plus-storage. Use of fuel cells and hydrogen for power generation will reduce emissions from diesel generators.

Wider rollout of smart grids and strengthening of transmission networks can help minimize outages and make blackouts shorter allowing smaller, modular backup units to suffice. Energy storage paired to grids will also support balancing demand-supply gaps.

Adoption of backup power is no longer an option but a necessity. Investments in R&D and production of renewable-hybrid solutions will see sizable growth opportunities. Users also require proper maintenance and sustainable operations of backup infrastructure to maximize reliability and savings in the long run.

Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it