Industries are moving toward smarter, more sustainable power solutions, and navigating the shift can be challenging. Chinmay Chiplunkar, Power & HVAC Solutions Engineer at Coates, discusses how his team helps businesses cut through the complexity with expert advice, customised power solutions, and full-service support.
Coates’ Power & HVAC team plays a crucial role in helping businesses navigate the complexities of temporary power and climate control. With expertise across diverse industries, the team delivers tailored solutions for power generation; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; compressed air; and process cooling – whether for large-scale infrastructure projects, manufacturing facilities, or critical shutdowns. As customers explore greener alternatives, Coates also provides hybrid power equipment and expertise, balancing sustainability with cost-effectiveness.
Chinmay Chiplunkar, Power & HVAC Solutions Engineer, has worked at Coates for more than 10 years. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Gujarat University.
Here, Chinmay shares his insights on industry trends, challenges, and the innovative solutions his team provides.
- Please describe your role, and what an average work day/week looks like.
My role is all about delivering customised solutions for complex and long-term temporary power requirements. A big part of that involves staying on top of market trends – monitoring competitor offerings and understanding where the industry is heading. I also spend a lot of time on-site, conducting inspections and meeting with customers, often alongside the broader sales team.
Beyond that, I work closely with our product, procurement, and asset services teams to support fleet upgrades, assess performance, ensure compliance, and carry out technical evaluations.
- What are some of the biggest challenges your customers are facing right now?
Many customers want to transition to greener, more sustainable power solutions, but the technology is still expensive and not always readily available at the scale they need. Cash flow approval for new technology can also be a hurdle. In the small to medium power range, customers are faced with too many options, making it difficult to decide on the right solution. On the other hand, in the large power range, options are limited, creating availability challenges.
- How does your team help customers overcome these challenges?
We provide product expertise, training, and in-depth information to help customers make informed decisions. By understanding their pain points, we can tailor our solutions to their needs and offer a clear comparison of costs and benefits, including the total cost of ownership.
We also take the pressure off by providing turnkey solutions – handling everything from installation to remote monitoring – so customers can focus on their projects while we manage their temporary power requirements.
- Can you describe any interesting industry trends, or any new/developing technology you’re excited about?
Hybrid power is one of the most exciting and fast-moving trends in the industry right now. We’re seeing more large-scale sites integrating solar installations and even EV chargers. Hydrogen technology is another area with potential, but it’s not yet commercially viable – there simply isn’t the infrastructure to replace diesel, batteries, or solar at scale. That said, work is progressing, and it will be interesting to see how this space develops in the coming years.
- What’s your favourite thing about your role, or the industry you support?
This is a dynamic and thriving industry where no two days are the same. I get to work with a wide range of businesses, people, and new products, which means I’m always learning something new. I believe that learning is a lifelong process, and this role allows me to live by that belief every day.
- Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Coates has grown from an equipment hire business into a full-service solutions provider, and we’re always working hard to maintain our position as the industry leader. The sector itself is an open ground for testing new technologies and trends, and success in this fast-moving space comes down to having the right product, the right solution, at the right price, and at the right time. That’s what we strive to deliver every day.
For more on how the Coates Power & HVAC team can support your next project, visit: coates.com.au/power-and-hvac
