The article examines how artificial intelligence can transform power grids into self-healing systems capable of managing the growing complexity of renewable integration, decentralised energy resources, climate volatility, and cyber threats. It highlights how AI-driven forecasting, predictive maintenance, and real-time optimisation enable grids to anticipate disruptions, respond faster than manual systems, and improve overall reliability. The piece also underscores the strategic importance of digital intelligence in strengthening grid resilience and ensuring that the global transition to clean energy remains stable, secure, and scalable.

The article examines how battery energy storage systems (BESS) are nearing a tipping point, driven by falling battery costs, rising renewable energy penetration, and increasing grid flexibility needs. It highlights how BESS can replace peaker plants, balance supply–demand mismatches and enable large-scale renewable integration. Overall, the piece positions energy storage as a critical enabler of grid stability and a foundational pillar of the next phase of the global energy transition.

The article examines how renewable energy paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS) can address India’s unfinished electrification challenge reliable power. While grid connectivity now reaches almost all households, frequent outages and voltage fluctuations continue to disrupt healthcare, cold chains, MSMEs, agriculture, and daily rural life. The piece highlights how falling battery costs, rising renewable curtailment, and supportive policy frameworks have made storage-backed solutions economically viable. By shifting surplus daytime renewable energy to peak evening demand hours, BESS can reduce diesel dependence, improve service continuity, and convert electricity access into dependable power. Overall, the article positions energy storage as a critical enabler in strengthening rural livelihoods and accelerating India’s clean energy transition.

The rapid rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping the automotive world—today, one in every ten cars sold is electric. While this signals a shift toward a cleaner, more sustainable future, it also brings new challenges. EV batteries, which make up 30–40% of a vehicle’s value, have an average life span of just 8–10 years.

By 2027, over 5 million EV batteries globally will reach end-of-life, a number projected to quadruple in the following years. In India, the surge is equally striking—4-wheeler EV sales have more than doubled, crossing 80,000 units and continuing to rise.

This explosive growth demands a strong supply chain for critical minerals and a robust recycling ecosystem. A NITI Aayog report estimates India will require 600 GWh of lithium-based energy storage between 2021–2030, with EVs alone contributing to 58 GWh of used battery volume—about 349,000 tonnes from various lithium chemistries.

Managing these batteries sustainably is crucial—not just for meeting net-zero goals but also for securing the future of clean mobility.

The article highlights the rise of quick commerce in India as a game-changing retail channel, projected to reach $40 billion by 2030. By prioritizing speed and convenience, it’s outpacing traditional e-commerce and modern retail. Consumer brands are adapting through strategic partnerships, optimized logistics, and tech-driven fulfilment. As customer preferences shift toward instant delivery, quick commerce is becoming a must-have channel rather than a nice-to-have experiment.

Dive into 2025 with Raj Nair, Chairman at Avalon Consulting, as he delves into the global complexities of the year ahead. In his 18th annual paper, Raj draws a vivid parallel between the turbulent Drake Passage and the unpredictable global landscape of 2025.

Titled “2025: The Drake Shake or Drake Lake,” this examines the interplay between economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts, from the resurgence of Trumponomics to the enduring technological race with China. Raj highlights key themes like the evolving energy landscape, AI’s groundbreaking potential, and the challenges facing emerging markets.

With insights that challenge conventional wisdom, Raj explores the counterforces that might stabilize a volatile global economy and the transformative potential of AI, including the advent of Liquid Neural Networks and Agentic AI.

Join Raj Nair on this intellectual journey to better understand the forces shaping our world and uncover actionable insights for navigating the dynamic landscape of 2025.

The article delves into India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to revolutionize the country’s energy landscape by producing 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030. It underscores the mission’s potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions across various industries, particularly in refining, petrochemicals, and fertilizers, by replacing fossil fuels with green hydrogen. The piece also touches on the challenges of storage and transportation, while highlighting the technological advancements that are making green hydrogen a viable and cost-effective alternative in the global push towards sustainable energy solutions.

Ocean Freight Hedging – A Master’s Mate is a perspective that focuses on strategies and practices related to hedging in ocean freight. Hedging is a financial strategy used to reduce risk by taking an offsetting position in a related security. In the context of ocean freight, this could involve various financial instruments and contracts to manage the volatility and risks associated with shipping costs. This article discusses the opportunities and strategies used by effective hedgers.

This article talks about the emerging trend of Facility Management (FM) in the BPO industry and its potential for growth and impact on organizational success.

Chemical Weekly: Subhabrata Sengupta, Partner Avalon Speaks at the Chemical Business Outlook Conference. He shares his expert views on “What will it take to enable the next stage of growth in India’s chemical industry?”

Avalon Consulting is proud to have been a knowledge partner for the recently concluded Chemical weekly conference on 24^th April.

As part of the conference, a presentation titled ” What will it take to enable the next stage of growth in India’s chemical industry?”, was presented . The presentation focused on giving a holistic perspective of the Indian Chemical Industry, the current manufacturing status of key product categories and the strategic directions that the Chemical Industry can take from an Indian context.