They are of course related, but not the same.

Kundalini can only be developed through through the sexual cooperation between a husband and wife. The kundalini gives powers, but it can be raised without the full elimination of the ego. When the ego is fully dead, you are fully awakened.

A single person can awaken a very significant amount without raising the kundalini at all. They can develop sparks of prana in their energy channels through yogic practices but the true development of the kundalini requires sexual union.

You can begin the awakening of consciousness without developing the kundalini, but the full awakening of consciousness requires the full developing of the kundalini. Rising the kundalini is related to spiritual birth. Spiritual birth gives the consciousness new vessels which allow for the full awakening of consciousness.

The lecture listed below provides a lot of information to study.