The Editorial team of Electronics Era had an exclusive interaction with Abhishek Sarmah, Head IAQ Business Group, Delta Electronics India Private Limited on their approach to sustainable and energy-efficient indoor air quality (IAQ) management, specifically in energy-intensive industrial settings.
About Delta Electronics India: Delta, founded in 1971, is a global provider of power and thermal management solutions. Its mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” focuses on addressing key environmental issues such as global climate change. As an energy-saving solutions provider with core competencies in power electronics and automation, Delta’s business categories include Power Electronics, Mobility, Automation, and Infrastructure.
Delta offers some of the most energy efficient power products in the industry, including switching power supplies with efficiency over 90%, telecom power with up to 98%, and PV inverters with up to 99.2% efficiency. We have also developed the world‘s first server power supply certified as 80 Plus Titanium.
Headquartered in Taiwan, we regularly invest over 8% of our annual sales revenues in R&D and have worldwide R&D facilities in China, Europe, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and the U.S.
Delta is a frequent recipient of international awards and related recognition for innovation, design, and continuous dedication to ESG. Since 2011, Delta has been listed on the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices for 13 consecutive years. Delta has also won CDP with double A List for 3 times for its substantial contribution to climate change and water security issues and named Supplier Engagement Leader for its continuous development of a sustainable value chain for 7 consecutive years.
In response to the challenge of climate change, Delta will remain committed to the research and development of innovative, energy-saving products, solutions and services that contributing substantially to the sustainable development of mankind.
About Abhishek Sarmah: Professional Overview
Abhishek Sarmah is a seasoned business leader with over 15 years of diverse experience in the Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industry. Currently serving as the Head of IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) Business Solutions at Delta Electronics India, he plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, market growth, and sustainable business practices in the HVAC and IAQ sectors. Abhishek’s career spans critical industries, including Telecom, Renewable Energy,
Automotive, Industrial, and Consumer Electronics, where he has consistently delivered impactful results in sales, marketing, and strategic management. His expertise lies in developing cutting-edge solutions and leveraging Delta’s global portfolio to meet region-specific demands.
EE: What are the latest advancements in IAQ control technologies and the salient features of Delta’s IAQ Solutions?
Abhishek Sarmah: Delta Electronics India has incorporated the latest advancements in IAQ technologies to provide smart, energy-efficient, and scalable solutions tailored for commercial and industrial environments. Our IAQ solutions integrate:
- Smart Sensors & Real-Time Monitoring: Using IoT-enabled multi-parameter sensors to detect PM2.5, CO2, temperature, and humidity, ensuring real-time visibility and control.
- AI-Powered Control Systems: AI algorithms optimize ventilation, filtration, and purification operations based on occupancy and air quality fluctuations.
- Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV): Reduces energy consumption by adjusting ventilation based on real-time pollutant levels.
- UNO Next IAQ Solution: A compact yet powerful unit that integrates ventilation, purification, and filtration with intelligent control, ideal for indoor environments where space and energy optimization are key.
- Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs): Designed to exchange stale indoor air with filtered outdoor air while recovering up to 85% of thermal energy, ensuring comfort and efficiency.
EE: How do Delta’s IAQ Solutions, including ERVs and UNO Next, support energy savings while enhancing indoor environments in energy-intensive industries?
Abhishek Sarmah: Delta’s IAQ solutions are engineered to achieve the dual goals of superior air quality and energy optimization:
- ERVs: Capture and reuse thermal energy from exhaust air to pre-condition incoming fresh air, minimizing the load on HVAC systems. This results in up to 60 – 85% energy savings in HVAC operations.
- UNO Next: Integrates air purification, CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation, and advanced filtration in a single unit, reducing dependency on traditional HVAC while maintaining optimal air quality.
- Low Maintenance & High Durability: Industrial-grade components ensure long-term operation with minimal maintenance costs, crucial for 24×7 environments.
- Energy-Saving Algorithms: AI controls adjust airflow and purification levels dynamically to meet indoor needs while minimizing energy consumption, especially in factories, data centers, and clean rooms.
EE: Explain why regular HVAC maintenance is vital for IAQ using AI-driven analytics.
Abhishek Sarmah: Regular HVAC maintenance is essential because poorly maintained systems can become breeding grounds for microbial growth, pollutant accumulation, and energy inefficiency. With AI-driven analytics, Delta’s IAQ solutions enable:
- Predictive Maintenance: AI algorithms monitor equipment performance, air filter saturation deviations to predict maintenance needs before faults occur.
- Energy Efficiency Monitoring: Analytics identify components or zones where energy inefficiencies or IAQ deviations arise, helping schedule timely interventions.
- Health & Compliance: Maintaining optimum IAQ through regular AI-supported servicing ensures that facilities comply with regulatory air quality and occupational health standards.
By shifting from reactive to predictive maintenance, businesses ensure consistent IAQ and reduce system downtime and energy waste.
EE: How do you assess the effectiveness of IAQ interventions?
Abhishek Sarmah: Delta uses a comprehensive Pre-and-Post Assessment Framework to evaluate IAQ interventions:
- Baseline Audit: Initial IAQ data (PM2.5, CO2, RH, temperature) is collected to understand the current air quality condition.
- Continuous Monitoring: Smart sensors continuously monitor the environment post-deployment to assess real-time improvement.
- Comparative Analytics: Dashboards compare pre- and post-intervention data over time, highlighting pollutant reduction, air circulation efficiency, and occupancy comfort levels.
- Feedback Loop: Real-time feedback from sensors allows the system to self-adjust and fine-tune for optimal performance.
Effectiveness is judged not only by improved air quality but also by reduced energy consumption and enhanced occupant comfort.
EE: What are the key metrics or parameters you’d monitor in an IAQ audit?
Abhishek Sarmah: In a comprehensive IAQ audit, Delta monitors the following critical parameters:
- Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Fine particles that affect respiratory health.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Indicator of occupancy and ventilation sufficiency.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Emitted by solvents, chemicals, and furnishings.
- Formaldehyde Levels: Especially relevant in industrial or newly furnished environments.
- Temperature & Relative Humidity: Key for comfort and microbial control.
- Air Exchange Rate (ACH): Number of air replacements per hour.
- Microbial Load: Optional for critical applications like healthcare or pharma.
- Energy Usage Metrics: Efficiency of HVAC and IAQ-related systems.
These parameters ensure a comprehensive view of both health impact and operational efficiency.
EE: How do Delta’s solutions meet India’s 2025 air quality standards, ensuring safe indoor environments in industrial facilities?
Abhishek Sarmah: India’s 2025 air quality roadmap emphasizes stringent IAQ norms, especially for high-density and industrial settings. Delta’s IAQ solutions are aligned with these goals by:
- Adhering to BIS and CPCB Guidelines: Delta’s IAQ solutions are calibrated to meet and exceed thresholds set by Indian regulatory bodies.
- Energy Code Compliance: Solutions comply with ECBC and IGBC green building standards, aligning with energy and air quality benchmarks.
- High-Efficiency Filtration: HEPA/activated carbon filters capture >99.97% of pollutants.
- Smart Compliance Reporting: Delta’s monitoring systems generate automated compliance reports aligned with Indian norms for IAQ.
- Scalability for Industrial Spaces: Designed for robust performance even in high-dust, high-load industrial zones, ensuring consistent air quality across large spaces.
EE: How does Delta Solutions ensure optimal energy savings while maintaining superior air quality in high-demand settings?
Abhishek Sarmah: Delta ensures energy-IAQ synergy through:
- Integrated Design: ERVs and UNO Next combine air quality enhancement with thermal energy recovery, ensuring minimal load on HVAC.
- Smart Algorithms: AI engines adjust airflow, filtration, and purification based on real-time demand and occupancy, avoiding unnecessary over-ventilation.
- Low-Power Components: EC motors, High grade heat exchangers, and low-resistance filters reduce operational energy use.
- Zonal Control: Independent control of different zones helps target only high-demand areas, avoiding energy wastage (with Uno-Next).
- Cloud-Based Monitoring: Tracks energy savings, pollutant reduction, and system performance to help facilities take corrective actions in real time (with Uno-Next).
This approach makes Delta an ideal choice for facilities like data centers, pharmaceutical plants, manufacturing units, and commercial and residential buildings with intensive energy and air quality demands.
EE: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
Abhishek Sarmah: Delta Electronics India is active in a rapidly maturing IAQ market, driven by post-pandemic awareness, ESG goals, and regulatory tightening:
- Awareness Stage: Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities are witnessing growing awareness of the impact of IAQ on health and productivity.
- Early Adoption to Acceleration: While sectors like pharma, healthcare, and IT have embraced IAQ solutions, industries like manufacturing, retail, and warehousing are transitioning from traditional ventilation to intelligent, monitored solutions.
- Policy and Incentive Support: Government initiatives around energy efficiency, green building codes, and occupational health are accelerating adoption.
- Customization Demand: Market is shifting toward modular, scalable, and data-driven IAQ solutions—precisely what Delta offers.
- Long-Term Growth: With rising ESG mandates and employee wellbeing focus, IAQ is becoming a strategic investment for companies.
