Over the past 21 years, Venkata Krishnan has worked in the renewable energy space across multiple geographies, including Europe, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, in roles spanning research and development, technology, software development, product strategy, sales, business development and general management.
Currently, he serves as chief growth and product officer at Smart Grid Analytics, where he leads global growth strategy, product roadmap execution and international expansion. Prior to this, he has helped set up and scale renewable energy analytics companies, including Utopus Insights (acquired by Vestas) and Prescinto Technologies, an IBM company, and has played key roles in business development, product launches and establishing cross-functional global teams. His career reflects a blend of technical expertise, business acumen and leadership in the renewable energy sector.
Krishnan shares that Smart Grid Analytics’ artificial intelligence-enabled platform, Solvyn, integrates real-time supervisory control and data acquisition/internet of things data with advanced predictive algorithms. By combining machine learning, condition monitoring and asset health analytics, potential faults can be identified before they escalate into critical failures. “This proactive approach has consistently reduced downtime, optimised maintenance schedules and improved the overall reliability of wind and solar assets, demonstrating the significant value of data-driven predictive maintenance,” he says.
On his management style, Krishnan adds that he adopts a people-centric and collaborative management style. He believes in empowering teams by providing a clear vision and autonomy, while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous learning. “My focus is on mentoring, motivating and aligning diverse teams across functions and geographies to achieve strategic goals, creating an environment where both the business and individuals can thrive,” he says.
Outside of work, he enjoys playing cricket, watching sports and reading. “I am also passionate about inclusive education and currently serve as a board adviser to the Stepping Stones Center, supporting children with autism and other developmental needs. These pursuits allow me to maintain balance and stay connected with causes I deeply care about,” he says.
Krishnan has an advanced degree in Composite Engineering from the University of Rhode Island, the US, and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Annamalai University, India.
