Aerostrovilos Energy is building India’s first indigenous Micro gas turbines for commercial use.
Aerostrovilos derives its name from two Greek words, symbolizing the fusion of “air” and a term akin to the description of a turbine, says Rohit Grover and Pradeep Thangappan – the company’s founders.
The visionaries, incubated at IIT Madras, are spearheading Aerostrovilos Energy. The startup aspires to bring out India’s first indigenous micro gas turbines for commercial applications. Originally, the founders planned to bring the product by 2023 end. However, the complex nature of deep-science-based products takes time to deliver. Added to that was the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought unparalleled chaos in the world. The subsequent challenges delayed their timeline by nearly three years.
Founders aim to make their startup “The Tesla of the East”.
In their pursuit, Grover and Thangappan draw inspiration from Elon Musk, particularly his adept handling of full-stack technology at Tesla. Despite setbacks, they remain resolute in their ambition, with Grover asserting, “We aim to be the Tesla of micro gas turbines.”
Their turbine burns gas like ICE* and drives vehicles like an EV** – the best of both.
- * Internal combustion Engine (ICE)- Petrol/ Diesel engine
- ** Electric Vehicle (EV)
Their inaugural small turbine is slated to be a 100 kW unit, designed with a compact footprint that seamlessly fits beneath the cabin of a truck. This innovative turbine serves the dual purpose of generating ample electricity to power the vehicle, combining the efficiency of a fossil fuel-burning gas turbine with an electric power train. The resultant synergy yields numerous benefits, including minimal emissions—especially promising as the industry looks toward a future fueled by hydrogen—and a significantly elevated power-to-weight ratio.
Their product uses Mind boggling engineering and technology to deliver results
Aerostrovilos distinguishes itself with proprietary combustion technology, a result of collaborative efforts with IIT Madras’s National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD). The patented technology not only sets their turbine apart but also ensures heightened efficiency through a sophisticated fuel and air mixing process for combustion and superior thermal management. Processes like “swirl mesh lean direct injection,” commonplace in aviation, find a pioneering application in the Indian automotive and power genset sectors, courtesy of Grover and Thangappan. Notably, they’ve introduced cost-effective materials, diverging from the aviation-grade materials prevalent in similar turbines. This versatile combustor can burn various fuels, ranging from diesel to hydrogen, further enhancing its adaptability and appeal.
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Ashok Leyland is helping the startup to test their turbines
In a significant development, Ashok Leyland forged a strategic partnership with Aerostrovilos in October 2022, extending their support by providing a 9-meter passenger electric bus for turbine testing. This collaboration marks a pivotal step for Aerostrovilos in demonstrating its technology and gaining industry recognition. Simultaneously, the innovative venture has entered into a confidential collaboration with a prominent Japanese company, details of which remain undisclosed by the entrepreneurs.
According to Ashok Leyland, Micro Gas Turbines represent a technology with substantial potential. It is poised to transcend traditional Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). This innovative technology promises to usher in enhanced fuel combustion, facilitating more efficient performance and the versatile capability to utilize multiple fuels.
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Turbines are expected to see the light in 2025
The turbine is expected to be ready in the early months of 2025, and a minimum viable product is on the horizon, with a primary focus on the genset segment. This milestone signals a crucial step toward realizing their vision of pioneering indigenous micro gas turbines for commercial use. Subsequently, a version tailored for commercial trucks—subject to stringent certifications—will follow suit, solidifying Aerostrovilos’ commitment to technological excellence and market readiness.
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Market size for Micro Gas Turbines
There is a market with a size of 5 billion USD in India and South East Asia remaining to be tapped.
Micro-gas Turbine in brief
A micro gas turbine (MGT) is a compact gas turbine with a 25 to 200-kilowatt range. It is similar to the heavy gas turbine, and what sets the micro turbine apart is its superior power-to-weight ratio. The consequence of the reduced turbine diameters leads to an escalation in shaft rotational speed. Unlike their bulkier counterparts, heavy gas turbine generators, which are impractical for distributed power applications due to their size and cost, microturbines are purposefully engineered for small-scale power generation. They find applications, both independently for electrical power generation and as integral components in combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems. This adaptability positions microturbines as efficient and cost-effective solutions for diverse power needs.
The MGT is a 25 to 200-kilowatt gas turbine evolved from piston engine turbochargers, aircraft auxiliary power units (APU), or small jet engines, the size of a refrigerator.
In short
The Arostrovilos Energy Micro gas turbine (MGT) will run on gas – CNG OR Hydrogen and deliver 100 KW power output that is used to drive the EV motor. In a way, MGT converts gas energy into electrical energy.
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