Siemens Powers India’s Smart Future
With nearly 160 years of heritage in India, Siemens Limited is redefining the country’s infrastructure transformation through its Smart Infrastructure division. In an exclusive conversation with Subhajit Roy, Robert H.K. Demann, Head – Smart Infrastructure, Siemens Limited, shed light on how the company is redefining innovation by shifting the focus from simply “Make in India” to also “Design in India” spanning a wider spectrum of the value chain!
Designed in India, Made in India for India and for the World
“Siemens is not just manufacturing in India—we’re designing here,” said Robert. “Take our EV chargers, for example—they are 100% designed, developed, and manufactured in India. Around 75% of the entire value creation happens locally.” He emphasized that Siemens’ India-built solutions are not only empowering domestic customers but also gaining traction in neighbouring countries.
Smarter Infrastructure Across Sectors
The Smart Infrastructure business extends Siemens Limited’s capabilities well beyond grid infrastructure, and also impact industrial and urban infrastructure (real estate, data centers, transportation etc), and are catering to sunrise sectors like semiconductors, battery storage, and e-mobility,” Robert explained. “We are enabling these sectors to optimize their energy use and build resilient systems.”
From Kalwa to the World: GAVATAR and Building X
At the heart of Siemens’ digital transformation efforts is GAVATAR, a unique global monitoring and analytics platform developed withing India and piloted at its Kalwa facility near Mumbai, powered by Siemens’ own solutions. It currently analyzes thousands of data from over 1,300 Siemens locations across 90 countries. It provides standardized, interoperable and optimized infrastructure operations while being scalable and replicable for audit-proof energy management and carbon reporting.
“Originally developed for internal use, GAVATAR’s success led to the creation of the Building X Portfolio Manager,” shared Robert. “This solution, designed in India, is now gaining momentum in European markets as well.” GAVATAR was recognized with the prestigious Werner von Siemens Award in 2024 within Siemens globally as it was an exemplary case of “Technology with Purpose”
Siemens at ELECRAMA 2025
At ELECRAMA 2025, Siemens unveiled a spectrum of cutting-edge innovations aligned with the event’s core theme: energy transition. From advanced smart devices to future-ready grid solutions, Siemens demonstrated how digitalization and electrification are reshaping infrastructure.
“One of our primary goals is integrating renewable energy efficiently,” said Robert. “As renewables grow, so does the complexity. That’s where digitalization becomes key—and with it, cybersecurity.”
Key Exhibits
Siemens Limited’s booth attracted attention with Blue GIS—a clean-air gas-insulated switchgear that eliminates SF6, a potent greenhouse gas. “It uses processed clean air—the same air we breathe,” Robert said. “It’s safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective over its lifecycle.”
Siemens also presented the SENTRON ECPD, a compact, intelligent circuit protection device capable of replacing up to ten traditional components, and the Fault Sensor Indicator (FSI), designed to rapidly detect failures in rural power lines, significantly reducing response times through real-time alerts or visible signals.
Built to Last: 158 Years and Counting
“Siemens has been deeply embedded in India’s infrastructure journey since the beginning—from the country’s first telegraphic line to today’s digital smart grids, future ready buildings and smart industrial facilities,” said Robert. India is set to have one of the largest urban transformations of the 21st century. This scale of transformation will present several opportunities for Smart Infrastructure business. Siemens is invested in supporting this transformation, not only in the development of greenfield infrastructure but also in the modernization of existing infrastructure.
