In the backdrop of massive investment planned in the Indian power T&D sector, the importance of transformers is even more enhanced. In India, low-rating transformers, or distribution transformers, have traditionally been a subject of controversy.

4. In the backdrop of massive investment planned in the Indian power T&D sector, the impor-
tance of transformers is even more enhanced. In India, low-rating transformers, or distri-
bution transformers, have traditionally been a subject of controversy. Our country faces the
ignominy of having the highest failure rate of distribution transformers in the world. It is alleged
that there are unscrupulous manufacturers that can sell distribution transformers at a price that
does not even cover the cost of the components of a standard transformer. And worse, power
utilities are purchasing them as they are bound by the archaic, and of course irrational, L1
procurement policy that has no provision for quality to override cost. It was often felt that the
willful use of inferior cold rolled grain oriented (CRGO) steel is the cause of this embarrassingly
high failure rate of transformers. CRGO is the most critical component, and even accounts for
a sizeable proportion of the cost of a transformer.
Over the past few years, the government has enforced the purchase of prime grade CRGO,
and it is believed that the extent of usage of scrap CRGO has reduced. This is good news.
But there is also a school of thought that doesn’t quite accept inferior CRGO as being the only
cause for transformer failure. It is more a function of unscientific design. After all, during the
balance of payment crisis of the 1980s, India designed transformers to work with scrap CRGO
simply because it could not afford the prime variant. CRGO, it may be mentioned, is not pro-
duced in India, coercing complete import-dependency. Why India still cannot produce CRGO
is, by itself, a matter of longstanding intrigue.
Since the past few years, distribution transformers are required to have minimum efficiency
as mandated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under its star labeling programme. This
is also good news. However, the Bureau of Industrial Standards (BIS) has also issued quality
standards that distribution transformer manufacturers are expected to adhere to. Sadly, BIS
and BEE have been mandating their standards independently, although both the august agen-
cies are ultimately striving for the same goal—that of the equipment’s energy efficiency. The
hapless distribution transformer manufacturer is now caught in a bind whilst conscientiously
attempting to comply with the two directives independently. This duality of compliance is con-
suming precious time and resources, and has been grossly inconveniencing manufacturers.
Industry associations are trying to work out a solution but a permanent one is still elusive.
This is a sorry state of affairs and the situation is completely out of tune with the government’s
agenda of minimizing procedural formalities.
Given that rural electrification is very high on the government’s agenda, low-rating distribution
transformers are critical. At such a juncture, hardships caused to manufacturers, arising purely
out of lack of coordination between government agencies, is something the country can ill-
afford. Multiplicity of compliance must be eliminated—the sooner the better.
May 20174T&D India
Edit page
Eliminating multiplicity in compliance
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth;
not going all the way, and not starting. — Buddha
Printed by Abhishek Mishra, published by Abhishek
Mishra on behalf of Amber Media LLP and printed at
M/s Sanmitra Offset Printers, Gala No.219/B, Sussex
Industrial Estate Premises Co-op Society Ltd, D.K.
Cross Marg, Byculla (East), Mumbai 400027 and
published at 412, Veena Chambers, Clive Road No.4,
Masjid (E), Mumbai 400009. Editor: Venugopal Pillai
Editor
Venugopal Pillai
Chief Editorial Advisor
Harish Rao
Creative Director
Nitin Parkar
Head – Business Development
Abhishek Mishra
Manager – Sales
Hemant Kumar
Head – Subscription,
Circulation & Production
Raghuvansh Pandey
Feedback may be sent to
editor@tndindia.com

6. contents
May 20176T&D India
8 T&D NEWS
l RoW constraints impede 765kV Salem-Madhugiri line
l CPRI launches e-tendering for smart grid test beds
l Tata Power signs DF agreement in Ajmer
12 technology l Dual-mode locomotives poised to offset electrification delays
31 Special Report l Mobile transformers for grid resiliency
32 Special Story l YASH takes a step forward towards “Make in India”
39 viewpoint l What leaders say
40 Interview
l Power utilities must ensure that they purchase quality products
Nisar Ahmed Baba, Director, Alba Power Pvt Ltd
18 Power Equipment l BHEL’s mega order in Bangladesh takes off
l First consignment for FY18
Focus: transformers
42 Innovation l Thyssenkrupp’s MULTI wins Edison Award
22 Lead Story l China’s role in power transmission raises concern
24 Renewables
l Gamesa commissions over 2 GW in FY17
l Suzlon’s WTG achieves 42 pc PLF
l PPAs signed for Rewa mega solar power project
26 INTERVIEW l Multiple regulatory bodies need coordination in working
Vishnu Agarwal, Chairman & Managing Director, Technical Associates Ltd
20 New Launches
l Omron introduces new FA control devices
l New features to PRISM platform
l New fan series from Usha
Also: l Orders & Contracts (16) l Short Takes (25)

8. T&D India May 20178
T&D News
ight-of-way constraints have
set back the commissioning
schedule of the 765kV
Salem-Madhugiri transmission line
by around three years. According to
a recent government report, the line
is expected to be commissioned by
March 2018 as against its originally
scheduled date of December 2015.
The 234-km single-circuit line
is suffering from serious RoW
constraints with respect to the
130-km portion passing through
Karnataka. A large part of the line
passes through forest area and as
such, matters are stalled at the state
wild life board. The government
report says that efforts are on to
escalate the clearance issue to
the National Wild Life Board and
ultimately to the Supreme Court.
The Salem-Madhugiri line is
an integral component of the
transmission scheme planned for
evacuation of power from various
IPP plants in the Nagapattinam and
Cuddalore regions of Tamil Nadu.
The line terminates at Madhugiri in
Tumkur district of Karnataka. The
project was awarded on tariff-based
competitive bidding route to Power
Grid Corporation of India Ltd based
on a winning quote of Rs.98.70 crore,
being the levelised annual tariff.
The project is being implemented by
Powergrid NM Transmission Ltd, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of PGCIL.
When the transmission licence was
granted by CERC in June 2013, the
commission stated that the project be
completed within 30 months, which
is by December 2015. However, the
EPC contract was placed only in
around May 2014; it was awarded
to Gammon India and ICOMM-Tele
Ltd.
The other component of the
transmission line, which is the
765kVNagapattinam-Salemdouble-
circuit line of around 212 ckm, was
commissioned in October 2016.
Coming back to the unfinished
Salem-Madhugiri line, foundation
work has been completed in 540
out of the total 575 locations. Nearly
500 towers have been erected, and
stringing work has been completed
only to the tune of 80 ckm out of a
total of 234 ckm. n
RoW constraints impede 765kV Salem-Madhugiri line
entral Power Research
Institute has begun the
e-tendering process for
the series of substation automation
system test beds (SASTB) that is
plans to install at its testing complex
in Bengaluru. Tendering for the first
of the eight proposed test beds was
initiated recently, and is scheduled to
close on May 16, 2017.
The e-tendering specification
is designed to facilitate the
procurement of hardware, software,
and services needed to realize the
SASTB. The SASTB will be used for
standards conformance testing and
interoperability testing.
According to the tender documents
hosted by CPRI on its corporate
website, the Substation Automation
SystemTestBed(SASTB)specification
consists of the following four parts:
Substation Automation System•
(SAS) suitable for Protection and
Control of the target Sample Circuit
with external interfaces for SCADA
and Engineering access
Signal generation equipment with•
hardware in the loop capability to
exercise the SAS with generation
of analog and digital signals based
on simulation of circuit events
Analysis tools protocols used to•
communicate between station
components, station-to-station, and
station to control center.
Physical structure mounting SAS•
equipmentSASTBwillinteractwith
the Situational Awareness Test Bed
(SASTB), the Distributed Energy
Resources Test Bed (DERTB) and
the Power Systems Test Bed (PSTB)
for evaluation of its performance in
selected testing.
According to information available,
US Trade Development Agency
(USTDA) is supporting a technical
assistance (TA) project conducted
by US-based company, ESTA
International LLC, to help CPRI
implement a smart grid test bed
project in Bangalore. n
CPRI launches e-tendering for smart grid test beds
C
R
IEEMA organizes
Metering India 2017
Apex industry body IEEMA organized the 7th
edition of Metering India seminar during April
6-7, 2017 at New Delhi. The Chief Guest of the
conference was Hon’ble Governor of Punjab,
V P Singh Badnore. The total number of
participants during the seminar was 510 out
of which 157 delegates were from 49 utilities
across India. The two-day event focused on
diverse perspectives and experiences in order
to add tremendous value to participating
delegates through this collective knowledge
sharing process, that included all aspects
of the metering domain like smart meters,
communication technologies, energy
conservation, IT infrastructure, etc.
Elecrama 2018: IEEMA announced the
launch of the newest and the biggest edition
of its flagship event ELECRAMA 2018. The
13th edition of Elecrama will be held at India
Expo Mart, Greater Noida, during March 10-
14, 2018. Elecrama is the flagship showcase
of the Indian electrical industry ecosystem
and the largest congregation of power sector
ecosystem bringing together the complete
spectrum of solutions that powers the planet.
For illustration only

10. TD News
TD India May 201710
s of early April 2017, a total
of 19.67 lakh conventional
street lights have been
replaced by LED street lights, it was
recently informed in Parliament.
The government has set a target of
replacing 3.5 crore conventional
street lights by LEDs, by March
2019.
Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, a
Central PSU, is playing an important
role as a catalyst in replacing the
lights, while several other suppliers
are also engaged in the same.
Meanwhile, a total of 544 urban
local bodies have entered into an
implementation agreement with
EESL for replacement of street lights
with LED street lights till early April
2017. EESL has submitted a proposal
for replacement of conventional
street lights with LED street lights
has been submitted to states that are
yet uncovered.
On its part, the Union ministry of
power has also written to all the states
andUnionterritoriesrequestingthem
to participate in this programme.
Odisha crosses 1-crore mark:
Meanwhile, the Energy Department,
Government of Odisha in association
with EESL has successfully
distributed over one crore LED bulbs
in Odisha under the Government
of India’s UJALA (Unnat Jeevan by
Affordable LEDs and Appliances)
scheme. The state has achieved the
milestone within a year of launching
the programme on same date last
year.
With this milestone, Odisha
becomes the 12th state crossing 1
crore distribution. Gujarat, Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar,
Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana
and Kerala have already crossed the
distribution of 1 crore LED lamps. n
Nearly 20 lakh street lights replaced with LEDs
A
ata Power Company has
announced the execution
of a distribution franchisee
agreement for electricity distribution
in Ajmer city, Rajasthan. The
company has won the bid for
distribution franchisee of Ajmer
Circle and has signed the DFA with
state power utility Ajmer Vidyut
Vitran Nigam Ltd (AVVNL), which
will cater to the requirements of
customers in Ajmer for a period of
20 years, a press statement issued
by Tata Power said.
Tata Power has formed a special
purpose company Ajmer Distribution
Ltd that will be responsible for
operating and maintaining the
distribution network in Ajmer City,
which includes City Division-I and
City Division-II areas. It will also be
responsible for managing the billing
and collections in the said areas.
AVVNL caters to power
distribution in eleven districts
of Rajasthan -- Ajmer, Bhilwara,
Nagaur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Udaipur,
Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand,
Doongarpur and Pratapgarh. The
command area of AVVNL is divided
into 12 circles. While every district,
except Ajmer, corresponds to one
circle, the Ajmer district is divided
into two circles called “Ajmer City”
and “Ajmer District.”
Speaking to TD India over phone,
a senior official of AVVNL explained
that the Ajmer City circle has three
divisions, out of which two (City
Division-I and City Division-II) will
be entrusted to Tata Power. Thus, one
division of the Ajmer City circle will
continue to remain with AVVNL.
Tata Power and AVVNL will
now commence various activities
required for a smooth transition
to facilitate the takeover of the
distribution franchisee operations by
TP Ajmer Distribution Ltd, the press
release noted. n
Tata Power signs DF agreement in Ajmer
T
Hartek clocks 1-GW
orders in FY17
THE board of Hartek Power has announced
that it won solar grid EPC orders
corresponding to over 1 GW of generation
capacity, during FY17. The comparable
metric in FY16 was a mere 123 mw.
The 1,025-mw worth of solar grid EPC
projects won in FY17 include 30 substation
projects of up to 220kV spread across
ten states, including Punjab, Rajasthan,
Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh and Bihar. The scope of the
projects include complete turnkey solutions
and post-inverter works covering the design,
engineering, supply, installation, automation
and commissioning of the power plant
electrification.
Having connected 340 mw of solar power
capacity to the grid in FY17 alone, Hartek
Power’s cumulative achievement stands
at 598 mw. Hartek already has a presence
in 17 states and is tapping opportunities
in more states like Jharkhand and Madhya
Pradesh.
Hartek Power is especially focusing on
consolidating its position in south Indian
states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and
Karnataka, which offer immense business
opportunities, in the form of bigger projects,
a statement from Hartek Group said.
For illustration only

12. technology
ailway electrification in India
has been a phenomenon
where much has been
aspired but very little achieved. The
government has always wished that
diesel traction is phased away so
that the annual import bill of billions
of litres of diesel is controlled.
Besides, the growing environmental
concerns associated with burning
of a fossil fuel like diesel can be
mitigated. Railway electrification is
never an easy task because it has to
be carried out on live and running
tracks. Railway electrification has
by and large been a tardy process
except in recent years (See Box: Pace
of Electrification). However, the task
of 100 per cent railway electrification
remains elusive.
Today, electric locomotives are
used wherever possible as the first
choice. When the journey enters
a non-electrified area, the electric
locomotive is replaced by a diesel
locomotive, in a process that is
informally known as the “technical
break.”Thisswitchingoflocomotives
can be a time consuming exercise.
When added across the thousands of
long-distance passenger and goods
trains, this aggregate waiting time
can be counterproductive.
Given that railway electrification
will be a slow process, the
government is now implementing
a technical solution, to at least
obviate the time lost in these
“technical breaks.” Called dual-
mode locomotives, this is a technical
breakthrough deployed in developed
economies of Europe and North
America. A dual locomotive is one
that can run on electricity as well
as diesel. Even the switchover from
one mode to the other is seamless.
According to reliable reports, these
locomotives made their presence
in North American countries like
USA and Canada as recently as
the early part of this decade. India
has therefore been very prompt in
absorbing this technology. What is
interesting is that India’s experiment
with dual-mode locomotives will be
an indigenous venture.
TD India interacted with
Mumbai-based High-Volt
Electricals Pvt Ltd, a company
that will be supplying specialized
transformers for these dual-mode
locomotives. Rajesh V. Shah, the
company’s CMD explained that
the design for these dual-mode
locomotive transformers has already
been approved by Lucknow-based
Research Designs and Standards
Organisation (RDSO), an entity
under the ministry of railways,
engaged in design, testing and
RD. “We will be manufacturing
the transformers soon,” noted Shah,
explaining that in the first phase
the Indian Railways is planning
to roll out five such locomotives
TD India May 201712
Dual-mode locomotives poised to offset
electrification delays
R
india has seen remarkable improvement in its railway electrification drive over the recent past. In
the XII Plan period, an estimated 7,800 km of railway electrification is expected to be achieved. This
would be 70 per cent more than the achievement of 4,556 km in the XI Plan period. The ministry
of railways has put railway electrification on mission mode and has targeted to achieve 24,000 km
of electrification over the next five years. Currently, an estimated 35,000 km of railway route length,
or roughly 55 per cent of the total, remains non-electrified. For FY18, the ministry of railways has
targeted to electrify 4,000 km, which will further increase to around 6,000 km per year in three-year
period from FY19 to FY21. It is estimated that on full electrification, Railways could save around
Rs.10,000 crore per year. Currently, the Railways spends Rs.18,000 crore on its annual fuel bill of
2.8 billion litres of diesel. Railway electrification is carried out largely by two PSUs under the ministry
of railways – IRCON International Ltd and RITES (India) Ltd. Very recently, Power Grid Corporation
of India, a Central PSU under the power ministry, was roped in for expending railway electrification.
PGCIL has been mandated the task of electrifying 761 km of lines, falling under four projects, with a
total outlay of around Rs.890 crore.
Pace of Electrification
File photo of ALP-DP45, Bombardier’s dual-mode
locomotive Bombardier unveiled in 2010.

14. TD India May 2017
technology
14
S
iemens has been awarded an order
to supply two mobile substations to
National Grid SA, the transmission
operator of Saudi Electricity Company.
Based on the unique specifications from
National Grid SA, Siemens has combined
its existing innovative mobile substation
modules together to design and manufacture
two 380kV mobile substations able to fit and
suit in any network area of the kingdom.
With a rating of 502 MVA each, these two
high-voltage mobile substations will be
the most powerful ever built in a single
feeder configuration. A mobile substation is
mounted on a special trailer and can easily
be transported wherever needed.
Thanks to their built-in rotating air bushings,
their installation and connection time is reduced
to less than one week and can be executed
with no equipment manufacturer services.
Mobile substations are a fast and versatile
solution for emergency power restoration or
fast-track grid connection that also guarantees
the utmost reliability. They also support heavy
maintenance or renovation work as an interim
bypass substation that can be easily set up to
reduce or eliminate power outages.
With a voltage of 380kV and a power capacity
of up to 502 MVA, the two substations are the
most powerful ever built on a single feeder
configuration. One substation contains three
single-phase autotransformers with a capacity
of 167.3 MVA each, which makes them the
largest transformers for mobile substations
ever built at Siemens.
Siemens’ portable power solutions come
fully preconfigured and tested as plug-and-play
substations that can be connected to the grid by
overhead line or insulated cables. The modules
contain all the necessary components for a
complete substation: power transformers, GIS
switchgears, MV/HV cable drums, protection
and control systems, and auxiliary power
supplies. They are available in several modular
configurations to meet each customer’s needs.
One of the core components of the substation
is the transformer, which is very efficient as
well as extremely compact designed in order to
meet the dimension requirement of the mobile
substation. This is proof that the Siemens
grid resilience concept is a real first aid kit for
emergency and bypass situations. Another
core component is the switchgear, which need
to combine the challenge of being entirely
pre-assembled for easy installation and also
able to withstand the mechanical stresses of
transportation. This is made possible by the
Siemens design and engineering of the gas-
insulated switchgear and the supporting trailer
as a single system.
Saudi Arabia seeks to produce 9.5 GW
of renewable energy in 2023. This will also
challenge the country’s grid and pave the way
for flexible solutions like pre-fabricated portable
substations. Siemens has delivered more than
100 high-voltage mobile substations up to
420kV worldwide.
“We will be associated with the
first phase,” said Shah. The dual-
mode locomotive will be made by
Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), a
Varanasi-basedmanufacturingoutfit
of the Indian Railways. The most
critical component of the locomotive
will be propulsion system that will
be sourced from Chennai-based
Medha Servo Drives. Dwelling more
on the transformers, Shah noted that
the testing of the transformer has
been in-house. “Type testing will be
done at Indian labs like CPRI and
ERDA.” The transformer will also be
subject to the vibration test that will
be done at overseas laboratories like
CESI, Italy or KEMA, Netherlands.
This vibration test will need to be
performed only on one transformer
as it is related to the design of the
transformer. The transformer will be
placed on the locomotive and will
be subject to significant vibrations
given that the locomotive could
attain top speed of up to 250 kmph.
Once five dual-mode locomotives
are rolled out, which is expected
in the coming months, the Indian
Railways are expected to procure
30 such locomotives annually. The
total requirement of locomotives is
expected to be in the region of 600
units, estimated Shah.
It is reliably learnt that the
propulsion system for these dual-
mode locomotives was to be ordered
from international suppliers.
However, the rates quoted were
significantly higher, and inflexible,
leading to the procurement drive
becoming an indigenous one. The
country is therefore expected to
enjoy substantial savings of foreign
exchange, more so if the pilot
project is successful and the onward
procurementisalsodonefromIndian
suppliers. n
Siemens lands mandate for two mobile substations
Tied together, they form a mobile substation: Six trailers contain all the necessary equipment like
switchgear and transformers. The substations’ bushings are rotative so they enable fast installation –
less than one week – and maximum compactness in transportation mode.

16. TD India May 201716
Larsen Toubro Construction’s
power transmission and distribution
business unit has won its single
largest order in the Middle East
from Kahramaa—the Qatar General
Electricity and Water Corporation—
for its ongoing Qatar Electricity
Transmission Network Expansion
Plan-Phase XIII, according to a
release from LT. The $817-million
(around Rs.5,270 crore) order will
involvetheengineering,procurement
and construction of 30 new gas
insulated substations of varying
voltage levels of 220kV, 132kV and
66kV and approximately 560 km
of 132 kV and 66 kV underground
cables under various definite and
framework packages. The works
for the project are spread all over
the State of Qatar, including
both freshly developed, as well
as already developed areas.
The project is scheduled for
completion in phases lasting 15
to 32 months.
ABB India has won an order
worth around Rs.178 crore,
from Power Grid Company of
Bangladesh Ltd (PGCB). As part
of the project, ABB India will
build two new substations and
upgrade two existing substations, all
located in the south-eastern parts of
Bangladesh.Thedesign,engineering,
system integration and supply of key
products will be executed in India.
The substations will add around
535 mw of transmission capacity –
enough to power more than 250,000
households – and contribute to the
government’s target of providing
access to electricity for its population
of around 165 million, by 2021.
ABB will build and commission
one 132kV/33kV air insulated
switchgear substation in Kachua, one
132kV/33kVgasinsulatedswitchgear
substation in Kalurghat and upgrade
two existing 132kV/33kV AIS
substations into GIS substations in
the Comilla and Modhunaghat areas.
ABB will also provide substation
automation systems and fiber optic
communications. The long-term
plan for Bangladesh is to install
power generation capacity of 60,000
mw by 2041 – four times its current
capacity.
RPP Infraprojects, in consortium
with Siemens, has won an order from
Power Grid Company of Bangladesh.
The project involves design, supply,
erection, testing and commissioning
of 230kV and 132kV substations
in Bangladesh. The scope of the
order for RPP Infra Projects will
be the entire civil works, and the
company’s share in the contract is
Rs.97 crore. The substations will
be commissioned in around three
years, an RPP official told TD
India. Earlier this year, Chennai-
headquartered RPP Infra Projects
announced that it had entered into a
consortium agreement with Siemens
Ltd for jointly bidding for contracts
tendered by Power Grid Company of
Bangladesh. The agreement covers
400kV, 230kV and 132kV substations,
to be built on turnkey basis. The
consortium operates under the name
“Siemens Ltd and RPP Infra Projects
Ltd” with Siemens being in charge of
the consortium.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has
bagged an order for a 2-mw rooftop
solar photovoltaic system to be
installed in nine months at Patiala-
based Diesel Loco Modernisation
Works.Thecontract,placedbyIROAF
(Indian Railways Organisation for
Alternate Fuels), envisages design,
supply, installation, testing and
commissioning of grid-connected
solar plant, with all the electrical
and associated equipment including
civil works and also includes five
years’ operation maintenance.
This contract has enhanced BHEL’s
roof top SPV project portfolio to 10
MWp.
Suzlon Group has won an order
from ReNew Power Ventures Pvt
Ltd for its 100.80-mw wind power
project. Suzlon will install 48 units
of its latest S111 120m wind turbine
generators with a capacity of 2.1 mw
in ReNew Power’s Limbwas project
in Madhya Pradesh. Suzlon will
provide a comprehensive range
of services including OM
services and dedicated life-cycle
asset management services for
an initial period of 10 years.
This turnkey project for Suzlon
is scheduled to be completed
by March 2018. The project has
the potential to provide power
to over 54,000 households and
annually reduce 0.20 million
tonnes of CO2
emissions. With
this order, Suzlon’s portfolio with
ReNew Power would exceed
more than 600 mw spanning
the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan,
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and
Andhra Pradesh, a statement from
Suzlon said.
Schneider Electric India has
reportedly signed a contract with
Naya Raipur Development Authority
(NRDA) for development of the
first greenfield smart city of Naya
Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh.
Schneider Electric India will be
joined by consortium partner ILFS
Technologies. Schneider Electric
will be responsible for executing the
entire gamut of integrated Command
and Control Centre and its overall
integration covering transportation,
surveillance, citizen applications,
end-to-end smart grid solutions,
end- to-end water management
system and integrated building
management system. n
Orders Contracts

18. TD India May 201718
angladesh India Friendship
Power Company Pvt Ltd
(BIFPC) has issued the notice
to proceed (NTP) to EPC contractor
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd for
the Maitree super thermal power
project in Bangladesh. With this,
the mega $1.5-billion order placed
on BHEL in July 2016 has taken
off. This incidentally is the largest
international power project order
won by BHEL.
BIFPC is an equal joint venture
between NTPC Ltd and Bangladesh
Power Development Board. The
Maitree power project, equipped
with two units of 660-mw each,
is located at Rampal Upazila in
Bagerhat district of Bangladesh.
BHEL was selected through an
international open bidding process.
The project is being financed to the
extent of $1.6 billion by Exim Bank of
India.Theloanagreementwassigned
in March this year and financial
closure was attained in April.
The Maitree super thermal power
project is the first project being
developed by BIFPCL and it is one
of the fast track projects identified
by the government of Bangladesh.
The project is a symbol of successful
cooperation between India and
Bangladesh for development of
Bangladesh’s power sector.
BHEL’s scope of work in the project
includes design, engineering,
manufacture, supply, construction,
erection, testing and commissioning
of 2x660-mw thermal sets with ultra-
supercritical parameters on turnkey
basis. The scope also includes
setting up of a jetty and a river-water
intake system. In order to meet
stringent environmental norms,
BHEL shall also install a flue-gas
desulphurization (FGD) plant and
dry-bottom ash handling system.
The key equipment for the project
will be manufactured at BHEL’s
Trichy, Haridwar, Hyderabad,
Ranipet, Bhopal, Bangalore and
Jhansi plants, while the company’s
Power Sector Construction division
will be responsible for construction
and installation activities at site.
BHEL has had a long association
with Bangladesh’s power sector. The
PSU engineering firm’s first major
project in that country was the 100-
mw Baghabari gas turbine power
project that was commissioned
in 2001. Subsequently, BHEL
has constructed the 2x120-mw
Siddhirganj gas-based power
project. It has also set up the 220kV
Baghabari and Ishurdi substations
in Bangladesh. n
Power Equipment
BHEL’s mega order in Bangladesh takes off
B
The first consignment of structurals, valves
and other boiler components from BHEL’s
Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) plant in Tamil Nadu
was recently flagged off. The consignments
totally weighing 200 tonnes were sent
through eight vehicles. They comprised
components for various thermal power
projects like Kothagudem (1x800-mw, Te-
langana), Bhadradi (4x270-mw, Telangana), Darlipalli (2x800-mw, Odisha), Rourkela
(1x250-mw, Odisha), Farakka-Stage III (1x500-mw, West Bengal), Baradarha (2x600-mw,
Chhattisgarh) and Kolaghat (1x210-mw,West Bengal).
First consignment for FY18
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has
begun commercial operation of its second
800-mw supercritical unit at the 2x800-mw
Yeramarus thermal power station of Raichur
Power Corporation Ltd (RPCL) in Karnataka.
The first unit of the plant had started com-
mercial operations in March this year. BHEL
and Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd are
the main equity partners of RPCL, the owner
and operator of this power plant. BHEL has
supplied and executed 4,810 mw of coal
based sets for KPCL and its joint ventures,
which accounts for 96 per cent of the utility’s
coal-based installed capacity. BHEL is also
presently executing KPCL’s first gas-based
combined cycle power project of 370 mw
capacity involving a fuel-efficient advanced-
class gas turbine at Yelahanka, Bengaluru, a
statement from BHEL said.
The board of NTPC, on April 19, 2017, ac-
corded approval for updating and upsizing
the $4-billion MTN (medium term note) pro-
gramme up to $6 billion for raising debt from
international markets to part finance capital
expenditure on new/ongoing projects, coal
mining projects, renovation and modernisa-
tion of power stations and for other permis-
sible end uses.
Bharat Heavy Electricals has announced that
it has commissioned two units of 270-mw
at RattanIndia Nasik Power Ltd’s 5x270-mw
thermal power project, located at Sinnar
in Nasik district of Maharashtra. With this,
BHEL has commissioned eight units of 270-
mw for RattanIndia in Maharashtra – three
at Nasik and five at Amravati. Two out of the
three remaining units at the Nasik power
plant are in advanced stage of construction,
a release from BHEL noted.
The Baghabari gas-fired power plant,
commissioned in 2001, was the first major
project for BHEL in Bangladesh.
An overview of one of BHEL’s manufacturing facilities
In Brief

20. New Launches
Omron introduces new FA
control devices
Omron has recently introduced
the third wave of factory
automation (FA) control devices
built on a common design platform.
This is to ensure unified product
specifications, for further innovation
in control panel building.
Based on a wide range of products,
Omron has been continuing to work
for the innovation of making control
panels which house and control
FA devices on the production front
line. Omron unified the design and
size of FA devices, and introduced
products which are built with the
company’s proprietary wiring
technology “Push-In Plus Terminal
Block.” The technology is primarily
used for device and control panel
makers in need of “downsizing and
space-saving” of FA devices and
control panels, “expedited delivery”
and “response to globalization,” a
release from Omron said.
The first and second wave of value
design products were introduced in
April and October 2016 respectively.
They have been adopted on the front
line of manufacturing by more than
7,000 global companies and received
a high evaluation. For example,
a manufacturer of semiconductor
production equipment reduced the
control panel size by 30 per cent and
the wiring lead time by half, post
adoption of OMRON’s Value Design
products.
The third wave of 36 models in
four categories can achieve even
simpler wiring with a wider product
range. They are in high demand at
client production sites which have
adopted the first and second wave
products.
Major additions to product line-
ups include XW5T Terminal Blocks,
G70V I/O Relay Terminals, K7L-B
Liquid Leakage Sensor Amplifiers
and S8VK-S Switch Mode Power
Supplies.
For instance, the XW5T DIN Track
Push-in Plus Terminal Blocks (in
picture) double its line-up from 18
to 36 models. For terminal blocks
with a width of 5.2 mm (maximum
rated current: 24 A) and 6.2 mm
(maximum rated current: 32 A),
internal wiring of 1:2 and 2:2 type for
branching and 2 tier type for space-
saving are added. The workability
and reliability of the XW5T with
OMRON’s unique Push-In Plus
Terminal Blocks can be used for
wider applications. For more details,
please visit http://www.ia.OMRON.
com/solution/panel/
New features to
PRISM platform
Tektronix, Inc., an industry-
leading innovator of video test
and monitoring solutions, today
released a series of enhancements to
PRISM, the industry’s first software-
based hybrid IP and SDI media
analysis platform. The new features
added to the PRISM platform include
support for important industry
specifications and help engineers
boost IP video network quality,
conquer integration and operations
challenges and perform deep-dive
analysis for troubleshooting. The
platform is now also available in a
1RU form factor for use with external
displays to complement the current
3RU product which has a built-in
display.
New enhancements demonstrated
at NAB 2017 April 22-27, 2017 in
Las Vegas include analysis of PTP
synchronization timing, support
for SMPTE ST 2022-7 redundancy,
IGMP V3 and new API support for
easy system integration into network
management systems, and IP stream
capture for deep dive analysis. These
are in addition to the Packet Interval
Time (PIT) histogram and trend
graph as well as the trend graph of
Time Stamped Delay Factor (TS-
DF) as per EBU-TECH 3337 that
are currently available on PRISM.
These real time IP measurement
capabilities assist broadcast and
IT engineers quickly and easily
troubleshoot the root causes of IP
network issues.
The PRISM software feature
enhancements including SMPTE
ST 2022-7, IGMP V3 and new API
support, PTP timing analysis, and
IP stream capture are available now.
The 1RU form factor is available for
order now with shipment expected in
June. The expanded SDI support as
previewed at NAB will be available
in the second half of 2017.
New fan series from Usha
Usha International, one of India’s
leading consumer durables
company, launches two new
models EX7 and EX9 in its flagship
automotive inspired E-series
fans range. Both the models have
‘Automotive Paint’ finish, high torque
motor and Aerodynamic blades that
offer silent operation and high air
delivery. These fans come with an air
delivery of 240 cmm (cubic meter per
minute) whereas most fans give air
delivery of 210 – 220 cmm. Geared to
inspire the automobile enthusiasts,
Usha E-Series is a perfect blend of
cutting edge technology aesthetics
to deliver high performance. The
E-series range features three layered
‘Automotive inspired’ metallic colors
and finish. (Pictured here is the EX9
model) n
[Information in this section has
been sourced from official press
releases of respective companies.]
TD India May 201720

22. ndian trade bodies and
manufacturing associations
have voiced their concerns over
the entry of Chinese players in the
power transmission sector. This was
stated by Piyush Goyal, minister
of state (independent) charge for
power in the Lok Sabha recently. The
minister added the government has
also set up a committee to look into
this issue.
Letustakealookatthedetails.Over
the past three years, there have been
seven interstate power transmission
projects that have attracted bids
from Chinese companies. These
projects are structured on the tariff-
based competitive bidding (TBCB)
mode with PFC Consulting Ltd
(a subsidiary of Power Finance
Corporation) and REC Transmission
Projects Co Ltd (a subsidiary of Rural
Electrification Corporation) acting
as bid process coordinators.
The entry of Chinese companies
in the power transmission sector is
an interesting phenomenon because
it suggests that Chinese companies
are interested in playing the role
of a “developer”. So far, Chinese
companies have being content to be
equipment suppliers to the Indian
power industry. However, when
one analyses the companies that
have shown interest in the power
transmission sector, there is so far
only one major company – CLP India
Pvt Ltd. Interestingly, this is the only
Chinese company as a developer in
the power generation space, which
means that it is the only independent
powerproducerwithChineseorigins,
currently operating in India. In the
conventional thermal power sector,
CLP India operates the 2x660-mw
Jhajjar coal-based power plant (using
supercriticaltechnology)inHaryana.
It also owns and manages the 665-
mw combined cycle gas-based power
plant at Paguthan in Gujarat. In fact,
CLP entered India in 2002 with the
acquisition of the Paguthan CCPP
from Gujarat Paguthan Energy
Corporation Ltd. Apart from thermal
power plants, CLP has growing
presence as developer of wind and
solar power projects.
In 2014-15, CLP India Pvt Ltd
had independently bid for four
interregionalschemes—Vindhyachal
(V), Gadarwara (Part A), Gadarwara
(Part B) and Maheshwaram. CLP
India could not clinch any of these
four projects. These, incidentally,
have been awarded to Indian
developers including Power Grid
Corporation of India.
What is interesting is that CLP
India, after failing to win any
projects on solo basis, has teamed
up with China Southern Power
Grid International (HK) Co Ltd
(CSGI), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of China Southern Power Grid Co
Ltd, one of the two state-owned grid
operators, and entrusted with power
transmission and distribution in the
five southern regions of China.
CLP India and CSGI, in 2016-17,
bid for three projects, one of them
being the transmission associated
with the Jaisalmer ultra mega
solar park in Rajasthan. The other
two projects that the duo has bid
for include the Western Region-
Northern Region interconnector
and the Eastern Region System
TD India May 201722
Lead story
Chinese role in
power transmission
raises concern
China’s role in
power transmission
raises concern
I

23. Strengthening Scheme-XXI. As
of mid-April 2017, the results of
none of these three projects were
announced.
Technically, multinational
companies cannot be barred from
participating in the tariff-based
competitive bidding mechanism
because bidding in the TBCB
mechanism is necessarily by way of
international competitive bidding
(ICB), as per the official TBCB
guidelines. Further, 100 per cent
foreign direct investment (FDI)
is allowed in the power sector.
It may also be mentioned that
multinationals are already present
in the power transmission developer
space. Two Spanish companies
Cobra Instalaciones and Isolux
Corsan are developing intrastate
power transmission concessions in
Uttar Pradesh. They have also bid
for some interregional schemes but
none have gone their way as yet.
It is intriguing to learn that Indian
companies are concerned about
the entry of Chinese companies in
the “development” space. There
is no inherent advantage that
multinationals can have over local
companies. In fact, local companies
are more at an advantage when
it comes to power transmission
projects as they are more acquainted
with on-ground realities and are
perhaps more adept at surmounting
land- and right of way-related
challenges. The grouse against
electrical equipment imported from
China is still very understandable
because Chinese suppliers did have
the advantage of tax concessions in
their home country making landed
cost of China-made equipment much
lower than equipment manufactured
within India.
It may be recalled that in around
2010, when the government
embarked on bulk procurement
of supercritical power generation
equipment (boilers and turbine-
generators) for Central PSUs
like NTPC and Damodar Valley
Corporation, it forestalled the
participation of Chinese companies
by insisting on the presence of
local manufacturing facilities of
bidders. Chinese suppliers appeared
disinterested in this proposition.
They had already captured much
of the power generation equipment
market during the period from 2007
to 2010, and now they are focusing
elsewhere in the power value chain.
China is clearly moving towards
the power transmission space, fully
cognizant of the fact that India’s
upcoming investments will not be in
powergeneration,butintransmission
and in distribution. Two large
transformermanufacturers–BTWand
TBEA–have set up manufacturing
facilities for high-voltage power
transformers in India. That China
is trying a foothold in the power
transmission development business
is therefore not too surprising. There
is abundant opportunity for bulk
power transmission systems not just
to evacuate power from conventional
power plants but also from the
rapidly-growing renewable energy
plants. Besides, transnational lines
with neighbouring countries like
Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh are
also being planned on a large scale.
May 201723TD India
Chinese Companies bidding for Power Transmission projects
Year Name of Project Bidder
2014-15 Transmission System Strengthening associated with
Vindhyachal-V
CLP India Pvt Ltd
2014-15 Transmission System Associated with Gadarwara STPS
(2 x 800 MW) of NTPC (Part-A)
CLP India Pvt Ltd
2014-15 Transmission System for Connectivity Lines for Ma-
heshwaram (Hyderabad) 765/400 kV Pooling S/S
CLP India Pvt Ltd
2016-17 Transmission system for Ultra Mega Solar Park in
Fatehgarh, distt. Jaisalmer Rajasthan.
CSGI + CLP India Pvt Ltd
2016-17 New WR-NR Inter regional Corridor CSGI + CLP India Pvt Ltd
2016-17 Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme – XXI (ERSS-XXI) CSGI + CLP India Pvt Ltd
CSGI = China Southern Power Grid International
Indian companies have expressed concern over China’s entry
in the Indian power transmission space. This time around,
China is not interested in merely supplying equipment and
earning “contractor” status, it is looking towards becoming a
developer and operator of power transmission lines.
A story by Venugopal Pillai.

24. TD India May 201724
amesa India has announced
that it has commissioned
2,050 mw of wind power
during FY17 (April 2016 to March
2017), becoming the first ever wind
company in India to have achieved
this number in one year. The new
capacity commissioned in FY17 was
double the achievement in FY16, a
statement from Gamesa India noted.
Currently, the company has a total
installed capacity of over 4,800 MW
across seven states in India.
Gamesa India is confident of
registering consistent growth in the
Indian market. The company has
projects across all the seven wind
rich states of India and operates
two nacelle manufacturing facilities
near Chennai, Tamil Nadu and
a blade manufacturing plant in
Halol, Gujarat, An integrated
manufacturing facility in Nellore,
Andhra Pradesh. The company
has also invested in joint venture
for tower manufacturing at Halol,
Gujarat.
Meanwhile, the merger between
Gamesa and Siemens Wind Power
became effective April 3, 2017.
United, Siemens wind power and
Gamesa create a leader in the wind
power market with presence in more
than 90 countries and have 75 GW
of installed capacity worldwide, the
statement noted. n
Renewables
Gamesa commissions over 2 GW in FY17
G
Suzlon Group has announced that its S111 120m 2.1
MW wind turbine generator has achieved around 42
per cent plant load factor (PLF) in its first 12 months of
operation at the Jamanwada site in Kutch district of Gu-
jarat. The prototype was commissioned in March 2016.
The 42 per cent PLF demonstrated by S111 120m is 20
per cent higher than 35 per cent PLF achieved by S97
120m in its first 12 months performance at the same
location. The S111 wind turbine generator is the latest
addition to the 2.1-mw platform and features the time-
tested Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) technol-
ogy. With a swept area of 9,852 sqm the S111 120m is
designed to optimally harness wind resources at higher
altitudes making low wind sites viable, Suzlon said.
Suzlon’s WTG achieves 42 pc PLF
adhya Pradesh has signed
project agreements with
solar power companies
making Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Park a
reality and helping India get closer to
its 100 GW solar energy goal by 2022,
a release from International Finance
Corporation (IFC) said. A member of
the World Bank Group, IFC, is the lead
transaction advisor for this project that
will mobilize $550 million in private
investment for the project.
The project is led by Rewa Ultra
Mega Solar Ltd (RUMSL), a joint
venture between the Solar Energy
Corporation of India (SECI) and
Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam
Ltd
With a record low tariff of US cents
4.4 per kwh (around Rs.2.84 per kwh)
offered through a competitive bidding
process, the project achieved the
lowest tariffs ever awarded for a solar
project in India, bringing solar tariffs
in the country on par with fossil fuels
for the first time.
The 750-mw project was auctioned
in three packages of 250-mw each,
and will be one of the biggest single
site solar projects in the world. The
three winning bidders for the project
are Mahindra Renewables, ACME
Solar, and Solenergie Power.
The winning bidders signed two sets
ofpowerpurchaseagreementswiththe
Madhya Pradesh Power Management
Corporation Ltd (MPPMCL) and the
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. With
about 24 per cent of energy from the
park being sold to the Delhi Metro, it
will meet about 80 per cent of daytime
energy requirement of Delhi Metro.n
M
PPAs signed for Rewa mega solar power project
Rays Power Infra Pvt. Ltd announced the com-
missioning of a 78-mw solar project in Tehsil-
Bhagwanpur in the Roorkee District of Uttara-
khand, fulfilling its role as the turnkey contractor,
for project developer Uttarakhand Renewable
Energy Development Agency.
Central public sector entity National Aluminium
Company Ltd recently had two wind farms of
50.4-mw each, dedicated the nation. Suzlon
Group installed and commissioned these projects
for Nalco—located at Jath in Maharashtra and
Gondikota in Andhra Pradesh.
SB Energy has announced the commissioning of a
350-mw solar project in Andhra Pradesh, 51 days
ahead of the scheduled commissioning date. SB
Energy was the sole winner of tender launched
by NTPC Ltd for a 350-mw solar power park in
Kurnool district, in December 2015.
In Brief

25. TD India May 201725
Indian Railways has targeted to electrify 4,000 km of lines in FY18, which
would be almost double the achievement in FY17 when it electrified a
little over 2,000 km of lines. Railway electrification is an emerging area
for power TD players with Power Grid Corporation of India also entering
the fray recently.
Rail Vikas Nigam will execute electrification work of Villupuram-
Cuddalore port-Mayiladuturai-Thanjavur, and Mayiladuturai-Thiruvarur
(228 km) section at an estimated cost is Rs.218.41 crore. The
Villupuram-Thanjavur railway line electrification in the Southern Railway
was one of the major projects announced in the Union Budget for
2017-18. Electrification of the section will provide an alternative route
to the Chennai-Tiruchchirappalli section via Villupuram-Mayiladuturai-
Thanjavur and connect the ports of Cuddalore and Karaikal on
electric traction.
A government release observed that as of April 4, electrification was
achieved in 13,002 villages under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti
Yojna (DDUGJY). Out of remaining 5,450 un-electrified villages, 835
villages are uninhabited. All the remaining 4,615 un-electrified villages
are targeted to be electrified by May 1, 2018. These villages represent
the 18,452 villages that were non-electrified at the time of the Prime
Minister’s Independence Day speech in 2016.
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, according to unconfirmed reports,
has commissioned the 765/400kV Wardha-Dichpally (Nizamabad)
double-circuit transmission line, well ahead of its scheduled
completion in May 2018. The new transmission line linking the north-
west-south corridors would facilitate import of power mainly from
Chhattisgarh. Telangana power utilities have already been granted
long-term access of the transmission line.
The Centre has distributed over one lakh LED bulbs under the Ujala
scheme in Chandigarh. The UJALA (Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs
and Appliancesl) scheme was launched in the city in March. Along
with distributing the LED (Light emitting diode) bulbs, 15,000 20W
LED tubelights as well as 5,000 BEE 5-star rated energy efficient fans
have also been distributed to the city.
KONE, a global player in the elevator and escalator industry, recently
announced the opening of its larger office at Nagpur, Maharashtra. It
was inaugurated by Amit Gossain, Managing Director, KONE India. This
office, being at a central location, will enable easy access to other key
businesses and commercial areas in and around Nagpur. Meanwhile,
KONE has entered into an agreement with IBM, which will further help
KONE to harness the potential of digitalization and innovation.
The Electricity Department of Chandigarh has reportedly floated a
tender for the appointment of a contractor to replace overhead lines
by underground cables in the Sector 8 area. Approving the proposal,
the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission, has consented to capital
expenditure of Rs.17.89 crore for the pilot project.
The Centre’s ‘Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances
(UJALA) was inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh on April 14, while the
official distribution by state discoms was to begin on May 1, 2017.
Under the scheme, consumers can buy 9W LED bulbs, BEE 5-star rated
energy efficient fans and LED tube lights at nearly half the market prices.
It may be recalled that the UJALA scheme was launched on January 5,
2015 with a target of replacing 77 crore inefficient bulbs with energy
efficient LED bulbs.
SPML Infra has completed a part of Phase-I of Saurashtra Narmada
Avtran Irrigation (SAUNI Yojana) that was recently inaugurated. SPML
Infra was responsible for a Rs.560 crore contract involving 42.95 km
steel pipeline; pumping stations of 13,475 m3/hr, a 66kV substation;
SCADA system complete, along with civil and structural works and with
10 years of operation maintenance. In its entirety, the Rs.12,000-crore
project envisages diversion of one million acre feet (1 MAF) water of
Narmada Dam to 115 reservoirs through a 1115-km network of pipelines
to irrigate 1.8 million ha of land and provide drinking water to 132 towns
and 11,456 villages in Saurashtra, Kutch, North Gujarat, Panchmahal
and Ahmedabad regions.
Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (Mahavitran) has
put two suppliers of energy meters—Rolex of Hyderabad and Flash
of Delhi—under the scanner for reportedly supplying inferior energy
meters. These meters were found faulty as they were prone to tampering
and they also should much lower consumption readings, than actual.
Mahavitran has purchased over 10 lakh meters from Rolex, and the
company has been blacklisted by the state power utility for a period of
three years, it is reported. n
Short Takes

26. TD India May 201726
interview
To start with, take us through the
range of transformers currently
manufactured by TAL. Do you have
plans to move to high voltage ranges
in the near future?
Technical Associates Ltd. is a 50
years old company which started
as a manufacturer of distribution
transformers. We have two
manufacturing plants – one at
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and the
other at Sitarganj (Uttarakhand).
While we still continue to make
distribution transformers at both
our plants, facilities for large power
transformers,whichformthemajority
of the business in financial terms,
exists only at the Sitarganj plant.
TAL is probably the only integrated
unit which manufactures the entire
range of transformers from 5 KVA to
200 MVA.
Do you have plans to expand
manufacturing capacity at your
Lucknow or Sitarganj plants?
Our Sitarganj plant is a state-of-
the-art facility spread out over a
huge green area and is presently,
fully equipped to manufacture
and test EHV power transformers
up to 400kV class. This facility is
also extendable for manufacturing
of power transformers of 765kV
class. Therefore, we already have
the requisite infrastructure for
manufacturing large power
transformers.
Mandatory BIS certification of
imported CRGO has been an issue
directly affecting the transformer
industry. How do matters stand
today?
CRGO is an important and critical
input in transformers. Unfortunately
it is also an input which that not
manufactured in India and hence
we are completely reliant on foreign
steel mills for the same. A view
has been taken in some sections in
government that low grade CRGO
being imported into the country
has been responsible for inferior
quality and frequent failures of
distribution transformers. This is not
completely correct. While CRGO
(and its grade) may play a role in the
energy efficiency of transformers,
no transformer analyst or engineer
would be able to significantly link
lower grade of CRGO with failures
in distribution transformers.
It is important that any raw material
coming into the country should be
of good quality – and to that extent
the Steel Quality Control Order is
welcome since it seeks to regulate
the quality of CRGO being imported.
To the best of my knowledge, this
Technical Associates is
a reputed transformer
manufacturer with a
standing of close to
five decades. Vishnu
Agarwal who heads
the company is also a
prominent figure in the
electrical equipment
industry having recently
held the President’s
office of industry body
IEEMA. In this exclusive
exchange, Agarwal
takes us through his
company’s operations
and future plans but
more importantly, gives
keen insights on serious
issues affecting the
transformer industry.
He explains in depth the
impracticability of the
transformer industry
having to deal with
guidelines issued by
two bodies—BIS and
BEE. An interview by
Venugopal Pillai.
Multiple regulatory bodies need
coordination in working
— Vishnu Agarwal, Chairman Managing Director,
Technical Associates Ltd
Focus: Transformers

27. Last date for booking: May 31, 2017
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JUNE
2017

28. interview
TD India May 201728
order has definitely curtailed the
imports of inferior grade CRGO in the
Country. However, there is a problem
in its being made applicable only
for transformers manufactured and
used in the country. There is neither
any mandatory BIS certification
requirement of CRGO for the
transformers imported from overseas
or being exported from the country.
This is an anomalous situation
which puts the local industry at a
disadvantage.
As we understand, Technical
Associates started a projects
division in around 2006. How is
business at this division, and what
are the major jobs that this division
undertakes?
Yes, TAL had started a Project
Division in 2006 and had also done
some prestigious jobs in UP, MP,
Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal
and Karnataka. Unfortunately, we
decided to close it as we found that we
lacked the necessary management
bandwidth to manage the projects on
a pan-India level.
Do you see any improvement in the
procurement policies and practices
of state government utilities,
especially over the past two years?
There had been a considerable
debate,bothforandagainstL-1based
procurement policies of government
utilities. It is every purchaser’s right
toprocuregoodsatthelowestpossible
price. However, every purchaser also
takes a decision between the kind of
performance that he expects from
the goods being procured, and the
value which he will place on better
or longer performance of the same.
Ingovernmentutilitiesparticularly,
this situation is complicated
because despite being independent
commercial entities, they provide
a social service to the country and
are often supported through public
finances by the government. It
therefore becomes essential that the
products/goods being procured by
them are not just low cost, but also
cost-efficient. Being cost-efficient
and low-cost are not the same. While
low cost only focuses on reducing the
immediate procurement cost, cost
efficiency also focuses on delivering
the highest return on investment,
over the life of the equipment.
It is essential for Government
utilities to also focus on other issues
other than price when placing their
orders – on the performance of
similar equipment earlier, on the
quoted performance parameters,
on verification of the performance
parameters, on the reputation and
standing of the supplier, and on the
longtermbenefitsthattheequipment
is expected to deliver.
In my opinion, a more robust
system of vendor rating, based on the
past performance of the equipment
supplied by the vendor should be
factored in by the government utilities
while making purchase decisions.
While there is no perceptible change
in the past two years, I am afraid that
do not even see any urgency to resolve
this issue.
It is said that even as India is capable
of indigenously producing 1,200kV
transformers, the failure rate of low-
rating distribution transformers is
the highest in the world. How do
you view this dichotomy?
You are correct that India has
the technology and capability to
successfully manufacture 1200kV
transformers and also the rate of
failure of low-rating distribution
transformers is the highest in the
world. Factually speaking, the
failure of low-rating distribution
transformers is not due to the lack
of capability in the country. It must
be understood that the failure of the
distribution transformers is really a
big problem only in the state owned
utilities. Currently, there are many
distribution utilities which are owned
and managed by private companies
and their rates of failures are minimal.
A little study of this phenomenon
would define both the problem and
the answer for solving it.
Railway electrification is picking
up at good pace. How do you see
opportunities for TAL and also the
transformer industry in general?
TAL already has the approval from
RDSO for the range of transformers
that it manufactures. No doubt that
as more and more electrification takes
place, there shall be new opportunities
in this sector both for the electrical
industry as well as for TAL.
What is your view on India
improving its competency with
respect to testing of high-voltage
power transformers?
Developing capabilities within India
for testing large power transformers
has been actively engaging the
attention of the government. The test
station at Bina was conceptualized
to meet a part of this need. There
have been delays in commissioning
this facility but I understand that
now it is likely to be commissioned
soon. Presently, large power
transformers are being sent to KEMA
(Netherlands) for testing. The time
and costs are prohibitive. Starting
of the Bina facility would be very
helpful in mitigating this problem.
What your reaction to Chinese
players setting up local
manufacturing facilities in India?
Technical Associates Ltd

30. TD India May 201730
We are referring to Chinese entities
like BTW, TBEA, etc.
We all know that the Chinese are
quite aggressive in the power
sector. As per the data available
out of thermal generation capacity
of 48,540 mw commissioned in the
11th Plan, main plant equipment
for 18,187 mw was imported from
Chinese manufacturers.
I, like the rest of my colleagues in
theIndustrywelcomeallinternational
players, including the Chinese to set
up local manufacturing facilities.
Once this happens, these units shall
alsobeoperatingonlevelplayingfield
like the rest of the Indian industry.
The Indian electrical industry is
against import of finished equipment,
particularly from China and has been
advocating that the country should
recognize the threat of relying
excessively on imported equipment.
I am happy that the government has
recognised this threat at the highest
level. Recently, a committee has been
constituted under the chairmanship
of CEA to examine this issue and
submit its report to the government.
Wherever imports are a necessity for
reasons of inadequate technology or
capacity, vendors should be asked to
commit to establish manufacturing
facilities in India, within a definite
timeframe, before they are allowed to
participate in the tender process.
Itisobviousthatwheninternational
players set up operations in India,
the existing Indian industry which
has not modernized itself shall
need to do it for meeting the
competition. n
interview
We understand that the dual
certification of distribution
transformers (BEE star labeling and
BIS) is causing practical difficulties
to manufacturers. Please explain
this issue in some detail. How is
the Indian transformer industry
addressing the same?
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency
(BEE) came out with an ambitious
program to improve the efficiency
of the distribution transformers,
particularly the small ratings which
are used in the rural electrification
system. They divided the different
efficiency levels into five categories
and designated each level with a
‘star’. The lowest efficiency was
designated as 1-star category
and the highest efficiency was
designated as 5-star category. It was
soon realized that the industry was
already evolved and hence the 1 star
and 2-star categories were hardly
used. The 3-star category was the
general choice and continued for a
substantial period of time whence the
industry switched over to completely
manufacture 3-star and higher
efficiency of transformers. Soon it
was realized that time had come to
migrate to a higher level and 4-star
category was adopted.
In the meantime BIS revised its
standardfordistributiontransformers
viz.“IS1180”.Intherevisedstandard,
detailed specifications and losses
were specified for all distribution
transformers of 11kV, 22kV and
33kV class and having capacity up to
2.5 MVA. It was also mandated that
all transformers manufactured and
sold within the country shall adhere
to this standard. Simultaneously,
the BIS abolished 1-star and 2-star
categories and the efficiency relating
to 3-star was the lowest efficiency
that could be manufactured. In
the standard it was designated as
“level-1”. Similarly, the 4-star and
5-star were designated as “level-2”
and “level-3”. These levels were
defined for all the standard ratings
and in each of the voltage class.
After the BIS had carried out a
detailed exercise and revised the IS
1180 standard, everything, in respect
of ‘energy efficiency’ that was earlier
being done by BEE, had been taken
care of and in my opinion there was
no further role for BEE. The standard
carries the force of law as it is a
Gazette document and is now being
followed by the industry in a big
way. Unfortunately, BEE continues
to issue new instructions on its own.
Recently, they have notified that the
‘Level 1’ (as specified in IS 1180)
shall be replaced with the losses of
‘Level 2’ (as specified in IS 1180)
and concurrently it shall be called
the new ‘Level 1’. Similarly the old
‘level 2’ losses shall be replaced with
the losses of what was hitherto ‘level
3’. Neither was the industry taken
into confidence before taking this
decision nor was BIS consulted.
I am personally of the opinion that
BEE does not have any constructive
role in regulating the efficiency
of the distribution transformers
after BIS has revised the standard
after detailed discussions with all
stakeholders. With multiplicity of
authorities that work without any
mutual coordination, it is only the
industry which is at the receiving
end and suffers for no fault of its.
It is high time that a solution is
found out by the government to this
issue of multiplicity of authority.
The transformer industry has no
choice but to approach the people
concerned and explain the rationale
(or irrationality) of this move.
Thepremierassociationofelectrical
equipment manufacturers of the
country – IEEMA has been doing
this, though with limited success so
far. The implementation of the BEE
notification has been deferred by six
months. I feel it may be necessary to
defer it further.
Technical Associates Ltd

31. TD India May 201731
iemens mobile resilience
transformers were developed
in collaboration with Con
Edison as a part of the Siemens
Pretact® concept for maximum grid
resiliency. Siemens delivered the
mobile resilience transformers late
last year. They can be transported to
the installation site on a truck and
will serve as an emergency measure
in the event of unplanned outages
– like those caused by hurricanes
– or for planned outages due to
maintenance work.
The transformers were designed
as single-phase units to be as
compact and lightweight as possible.
For ease and quick installation,
they are transported with their
environmentally friendly ester
filling, transport weight of 216,000
lbs includes fluid, and equipped
with plug-and-play bushings and
cable connections.
The Pretact® concept used in the
design of the Siemens transformers
combines several modules that help
grid operators prevent transformer
failures through dedicated service
measuresandprotectthetransformers
from harm like that caused by
natural disasters. The innovative
mobile resilience transformers offer
a backup for unplanned outages –
just in case all other precautions fail
– and support grid coverage during
planned outages as well.
It is learnt that a large portion of
the installed power transformers
within the U.S. were installed in
the 1950s, 60s and 70s and are now
reaching the end of their projected
service life. Studies have shown
that the number of power outages
in the U.S. increased from 2,769
in 2008 to 3,634 in 2014. It is
feared that this number will only
increase as equipment ages. More
than half of the power transformer
outages are caused due to electrical
disturbances, natural disasters
(for instance, lighting), insulation
failures and other forced impacts.
Only an estimated 4 per cent of
power transformer failures are
caused due to overload. n
Special Report
Mobile transformers for grid resiliency
S
Grid resilience is an issue that’s very important for us
and our customers – and in the end, for society as well.
The fast-track installation time of our innovative plug–
and-play mobile resilience transformers is proof that our
grid resilience concept is a true first-aid kit for emer-
gency situations.
—Dr Beatrix Natter, CEO of Siemens Transformers.
Grid resilience is important
Transformer testing under way at Siemens’ factory
at Weiz, Austria
A graphical representation of a mobile transformers installation.
Focus: Transformers

32. Special Story
ower transmission and
distribution is inconceivable
without the ubiquitous
transformer and a transformer is
unimaginable without bushings—
the three protrusions that give a
transformer its imposing appearance.
Now for a little-known fact; there
are thousands of transformer
manufacturers globally, including
several hundreds in India. Yet, it
is intriguing that a transformer
bushing—a vital component of
the equipment—is made only by a
handful of companies. Companies
that make bushings are the giants
in the transformer industry. Names
that immediately come to one’s
mind are ABB, Siemens, Alstom
(GE), etc. These companies make
bushings largely for their captive
consumption. The surplus is sold to
smaller transformer manufacturers.
For a transformer manufacturer—be
it power transformer or distribution
transformer—it is not economically
viable to undertake backward
integration and make bushings
though transformer manufacturers
would have liked to have tailor-made
bushings.
Gujarat-based Yash High Voltage
Insulators Pvt Ltd is amongst the
very few independent bushing
manufacturers in India. This
means that the company only
TD India May 201732
YASH takes a step forward
towards “Make in India”
Laurent Vlesik (left) and Keyur Shah at the launch of India’s first localized
RIP bushing, by Yash High Voltage Insulators
This special story discusses
how two like-minded and
equally aspiring companies—
one local and the other
international—joined forces
to give India its first localized
resin-impregnated paper
(RIP) transformer bushing.
This story is based on a
conversation between
Keyur Shah, Managing
Director, Yash High Voltage
Insulators Pvt Ltd,
Laurent Vlesik, Sales
Product Manager – Bushings,
MGC Moser-Glaser AG, and
Hartmuth Fethke, Senior
Technical Expert, Yash High
Voltage Insulators Pvt Ltd,
with Venugopal Pillai of TD
India, at a recent event.
P
Focus: Transformers

33. Special Story
May 201733TD India
supplies bushings without making
transformers. Elsewhere on the
globe is a 100-year company MGC
Moser-Glaser AG, headquartered
in Switzerland, which is also a
leading independent supplier of
bushings. The critical difference
between the two companies is that
Yash started off in 2002 as a supplier
of conventional oil-impregnated
paper (OIP) bushings whereas MGC
was a supplier of dry-type resin-
impregnated paper (RIP) bushings.
In fact, MGC is the inventor of RIP
bushings and introduced this product
to the world in around 2000. It may
be appreciated that MGC, with a 100-
year old standing, is a manufacturer
of innovative products and launched
RIP bushings only around 15 years
ago.
Being an independent bushings
manufacturer does give the company
a rare identity but does not obviate
the struggle. In the words of Keyur
Shah, Managing Director, Yash
High Voltage Insulators Pvt Ltd,
“Independent bushing companies
like Yash or MGC always have some
advantage because the competitors
would always prefer to buy from
independent players. But we also
have a challenge that which is
that we don’t have any captive
consumption and have to rely on
transformer manufacturers. For us,
the journey is difficult – securing
approvals, running after transformer
manufacturers and utilities…..”
What could be construed as an
upheaval for Yash was that in 2011-
12, the Indian power industry was
witnessing a shift of preference
from OIP to RIP-based bushings.
Transformer users noticed marked
improvement in performance of RIP
bushings vis-à-vis the conventional
OIP bushings. For Yash, it was a
decisive moment. The company’s
only business was OIP bushings
and with the tide turning in favour
of RIP bushings, Yash had some
serious thinking to do. Recalling the
transition days, Keyur Shah said,
“We, at Yash, were manufacturing
bushings using OIP technology and
for us that was the only business. We
were not in the transformer business!
For us to survive in this business,
we had to go in for the specified
products, which in this case was RIP
bushings.”
TheresolutiontomakeRIPbushings
was made but the road ahead was
not just difficult but unclear as well.
Establishing indigenous technology
would be a long-drawn process
consuming years even before the
product hit the market. It was at this
juncture that Yash decided to scout
for proven technology from outside
India. Yash even found it acceptable
to be a distributor of RIP bushings if
manufacturing them was an unlikely
proposition. Explained Shah, “We
were wondering if we could look out
for a company that is ready to give us
technology. So, I personally started
visiting exhibitions around the world,
trying to meet bushing companies.
We thought even if we don’t have
the collaboration to manufacture, at
least we could sell (as a distributor)
and earn commission.”
Independently, MGC was making
rapid strides in its RIP bushings
business. With significant business
generated from its local markets,
MGC, from around 2008 onwards,
was aiming at newer markets with
aggression. The Indian market was
big and growing but there was no
easy way to penetrate it without a
local partner. MGC was actively
participating in trade shows and
exhibitions, across the globe. Laurent
Vlesik, Sales Product Manager –
Bushings, MGC Moser-Glaser AG,
helmed MGC’s overseas business
development drive. In 2012, Yash’s
search for RIP technology providers
crossed an important milestone
when it came in touch with MGC.
“Somewhere in 2012, we had a nice
successful meeting and felt that there
was a definite chance of associating,”
reminisced Keyur Shah. However,
both partners were in favour of
giving each other some time before
a commitment was formalized. So
the partnership began, sometime
in 2012-13, with Yash High Voltage
representing MGC in the Indian and
neighbouring markets.
The partnership got a boost in
around 2014 when Power Grid
Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL),
the Central transmission utility,
mandatorily inducted only RIP
bushings-equipped transformers.
The period between 2014 and the
early part of 2016 boded well for
the partnership with MGC’s market
improving both in India and globally.
The global market was addressed
through RIP-bushing transformers
exported by Indian manufacturers.
Though MGC introduced RIP
bushings to the world, several
suppliers emerged in not only
European but also Asian countries.
When asked about why Yash
preferred MGC over other suppliers,
Keyur Shah was quick to point out
that a European supplier gave far
more credibility than (say) a Chinese
supplier. “We, at Yash, had decided
that we would never join hands with
a Chinese company,” recalled Keyur
Shah emphatically.
AsRIPbushingsgainedacceptance
in the Indian market, several
transformer manufacturers began
checking with Yash if these bushings
could be sourced locally. After all,
imports always have concomitant
formalities that could be time-
consuming. This inspired Yash to
start a dialogue with MGC where
Yash could assemble bushings up to
145kV in India, using cores imported
from MGC. Even the 145kV range
was good enough to start with as
power utilities do have significant
deployment of 145kV transformers.
Yash had no plans, at that stage to
do the full manufacturing in India.
With the agreement in place, Yash
spread the word to utilities seeking
RIP bushings assembled in India.
While buyers in general insisted that
the entire manufacturing should be
done in India, Gujarat Electricity
Transmission Company (Getco) and
PGCILdecidedtosupportYash-MGC
with 145kV RIP bushings assembled
in India but with imported cores.
It was also a quirk of fate that made
Focus: Transformers

34. TD India May 2017
Special Story
34
Yash part of a prestigious PGCIL
project. In a STATCOM project of
PGCIL where the STATCOM was
to come from Chinese suppliers,
the EPC contractor—an Indian
company-- was looking for 52kV-
6300A bushings. Interestingly, no
company in the world had type-
tested such bushings. Yash’s name
was suggested to PGCIL by Toshiba
Group, which was involved in the
project. However, Yash was not an
approved vendor and ironically,
none of the approved vendors had
ever type-tested bushings of the said
rating! It is worth remembering that
the bushings in question were OIP
and not RIP. It was finally decided
that RIP bushings would be tried out
and Yash was given an opportunity
to supply these bushings with
cores supplied by MGC. “PGCIL is
supporting us under ‘Make in India’
initiative. We will be supplying to
PGCIL for the STATCOM project as
well as the regular consumption,”
noted a smiling Keyur Shah.
Yash is also going to RIP bushings
for 110 transformers to GETCO,
the state power utility of Gujarat.
“GETCO requested us to expedite the
manufactureoflocally-madebushings
so that domestic manufacturers do
not cite non availability of imported
RIP bushings as a reason for delay,”
explained Shah.
Hartmuth Fethke who is Senior
TechnicalExpertatYashHighVoltage
Insulators Pvt Ltd has twenty years
of experience in RIP bushings alone,
in several European markets. He
noted that developed countries have
adopted RIP bushings for a very long
time now and it is reassuring to note
that India is falling in line. “Large
multinationals are not interested in
normal OIP-bushing transformers
and this gives a chance to companies
like MGC. I came the first time to
India 15 years ago, and my first task
was to convince the Indian utilities to
take RIP bushings. At that time all the
transformers used OIP. RIP bushings
are maintenance free and there is
no risk of fire. Transformer fires are
common in India. RIP bushings will
do a lot for safety of the grid and also
to obviate blackouts. At that time
utilities were not very inclined but I
am happy that utilities and PGCIL,
in particular, are now making RIP
bushings mandatory.”
MGC has been a leading player in
the RIP bushing industry. Way back
in 1958, MGC deployed dry-type
technology for RIP bushings that
can be used for all types of oil-cooled
transformers, irrespective of whether
the oil is normal oil, ester oil or any
green-type oil. Laurent Vlesik also
remarked that the number of players
in the transformer bushings industry
is limited as the product is niche.
“Although it represents 1 or 2 per
cent in the complete transformer
product (in terms of cost), it has
a very critical function. Failure in
transformer bushings can result in
a total failure of the transformer,”
observed Vlesik.
MGC is very optimistic about
the collaboration with Yash. The
agreement is more like a transfer of
competencies without the formation
of a joint venture with equity
partnership. For MGC, the alliance
with Yash is significant as MGC’s
only manufacturing site is located
in Switzerland and it is for the first
time that MGC has had a technical
collaboration like this anywhere
in the world. “This is because the
Indian market is so promising. The
volume of business is so big so we
have to go local,” remarked Vlesik,
expressing MGC’s optimism. n
Focus: Transformers
In order to provide uninterrupted power supply during the upcoming
summer season and meet with the eventualities, Tata Power Delhi
Distribution (Tata Power-DDL) has made an advanced preparation with 39
Mobile Distribution Transformers evenly stationed across its distribution
network in North and North West Delhi, a company release said.
These mobile distribution transformers will provide quick restoration
of service during contingencies, supporting system stability and helping
in the continuity of supply in case of eventualities due to high peak
demand and according to network requirements. These Transformers will
significantly reduce the response time during emergency as compared to
traditional transformers (fixed) and restore the supply at the earliest.
The mobile distribution transformers are also backed up by 24x7
dedicated breakdown teams to attend breakdowns and restore supply
to the affected area. In addition to this, 53 maintenance vehicles are
operating round the clock to attend breakdown complaints; three
vehicles are equipped with ultrasonic scanning and on-site ACB testing
repairing; four underground faults testing vans which are operational
24x7, 11 tower-wagons for high-mast and streetlight complaints, the
release added.
Tata Power DDL plans mobile transformers

35. S E C T R U MPSS E T R U MPS C
May 201735TD India

36. S E C T R U MPSS E T R U MPS C
May 201736TD India

37. S E C T R U MPS
May 201737TD India

38. S E C T R U MPS
May 201738TD India
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Ames Impex Electricals Pvt Ltd 5
Anand Engineering Corpration 35
Atlas Filtration Services 35
BR Industrial Services 25
Cast And Coap 35
Chem - Verse Consultant India Pvt Ltd 35
Deccan Engineering Services 35
Electro Care (India) Pvt Ltd 36
Elektra Precisioion Systems 35
Elpe Engineers 37
Epcos India Pvt Ltd 15
Excel Consultants 36 38
Jupiter Integrated Sensor Systems 7
Konkan Electric Corporation 35
KVTEK Power Systems 19
M I Materials India Pvt Ltd 13
Mahati Industries Pvt Ltd 44 (BC)
Mathura Switchgears Pvt Ltd 36
Mtekpro Technologies Pvt Ltd 11
Myriad Industrial Solutions LLP 36
Neutronics Manufacturing Company 36
Om Indutries 36
Prolific Systems Technologies Pvt Ltd 17
R R Enterprises 37
Reliserv Solutions 36
Slimlites Electricals Pvt Ltd 2 (IFC)
Spark Electrosystems 36
Sumip Composites Pvt Ltd 21
Supreme Electroplast Industries 37
Swati Switchgears Ltd 9
TESLA Asia Pacific Ltd 35
Trak Enterprises 37
Transformers Rectifiers (I) Ltd 43 (IBC)
Transpower India Electronics Pvt Ltd 37
Urja Infratech Power Projects (I) Pvt Ltd 38
Vinayak Corporation 37
Yash High Voltage Insulators Pvt Ltd 3

39. TD India May 201739
Currently in India, short-circuit
testing facility of power
transformers is limited to 220kV,
160MVA.Thisfacilityisnotsufficient
to meet the testing requirement
of Indian manufacturers and
utilities. PGCIL and NTPC insist
on short-circuit test report of power
transformers even up to 400kV.
This testing facility is presently
not available in India and Indian
manufacturers have to bear lot of expenses and time to
get such transformers tested at KEMA in Netherlands or
CESI in Italy.
—Dr Mukesh Shah, Director, Electrical Research
Development Association (ERDA)
Transformer manufactures are
requesting government of India
to allow them the compliance of
one of the two directives—BIS or
BEE—as they both are addressing
the same goal of producing energy
efficient DTs. But the power
ministry has shown its helplessness
as both certifications are mandatory
through Gazette notification. This is
undesirable as manufacturer has to
observe and complete formalities of both agencies. This
not only creates hindrance in conducting the business
but also involves lot of time and expenditure of renewal
of licence and hefty BEE’s labeling/BIS marking fees.
—B. Lal, Director General, Indian Transformer
Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA)
Second hand and defective
CRGO users have set up shop in
neighboring countries like Dubai,
Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand. Here,
in trade free zones, they import
scrap or defective CRGO and either
process it or send it as it is to India,
falsely declaring it as either “melting
scrap” through Kolkata port, or
as “transformer parts” through
Chennai port or “used transformers”
through SEZs. Both IEEMA and ITMA have brought this
to the notice of the authorities, however unfortunately
the import of these seconds and defectives and scrap
material still goes on unabated in this country, creating a
disadvantage for those using prime material.
—Saif F. Qureishi, CEO MD, KRYFS Power
Components Ltd.
We are proud to have a very powerful
own test field and oil laboratory in
our Kalwa plant. It is accredited by
NABL, which allows us to also test
for third party suppliers. However,
local customers ask for type tests
regularly, and we have done more
than ten tests at external institutes
like CPRI and KEMA during the
last six years. As CPRI was not able
to test the highest voltage levels,
we tested these ratings at KEMA in
Netherlands. So we do feel the need for an independent
high-voltage test laboratory in India, and are looking
forward to the one being installed in the near future.
—Dr Beatrix Natter, CEO Power Transformers, Siemens
Energy, Siemens AG
Considering the requirement of
heavy evacuation of power in
near future, there is much scope
for 1,200kV equipment. TTDI has
taken the first initiative to complete
the design and development of
1,200kV transformer on priority. The
transformer supplied by TTDI was
connected to 1,200kV first batch test
line and successfully commissioned
in May 2012. The performance of the
transformer so far is satisfactory and is being monitored
closely.
—Dr Katsutoshi Toda, Chairman Managing Director,
Toshiba Transmission Distribution India Pvt Ltd
PGCIL, NTPC and NHPC are
jointly putting up a short-circuit lab
near Jhansi. I understand this lab
is getting ready soon. There have
been some delays but that is normal
for a project of such magnitude.
This lab will definitely help both
manufacturers and buyers; presently
the equipment has to be sent to
KEMA for testing. There may be
some teething problems initially but
in the long term it will be good.
—Jitendra U. Mamtora, Chairman
Whole-time Director, Transformers Rectifiers (India) Ltd
(Based on exclusive interactions with
TD India in the recent past)
ViewPOINT
What leaders say
Focus: Transformers

40. TD India May 201740
interview
To start with, what is the current
situation with respect to availability
of prime grade CRGO? Also,
has there been any reduction in
“dumping” of scrap CRGO in
India?
At present CRGO steel is sufficiently
available in the market. There is also
substantial reduction in dumping of
scrap CRGO in India.
What is your overall view on
the government making “BIS”
certification mandatory for
international suppliers?
While the decision to make BIS
certification manadatory has merit,
but at the same time, it has a huge
demerit by which manufacturers
equipped with BIS certification
are regulating the price to their
advantage, as far as the Indian
market is concerned.
Several studies point out that the
failure rate of Indian distribution
transformers is amongst the highest
in the world. This is because of the
scores of marginal manufacturers
that produce inferior products.
What entry barriers should be
introduced to curb the subsistence
and proliferation of unscrupulous
manufacturers?
It is a fact that the failure rate of
transformer in India is highest in
the world. There is no doubt that the
manufacturers who lack expertise,
infrastructure, testing facilities and
commitment to ensure quality repair
of transformers, are responsible for
poor quality repair, but at the same
time (government) departments
are equally responsible for creating
the mess as far as repairing of the
transformer is concerned. The
utilities and department are under
pressure to reinstall damaged
transformers forgoing inspection as
well as routine testing of the repaired
transformer. The department is
solely responsible in entrusting
Based in Jammu
Kashmir, Alba Power
is a medium-sized
manufacturer of
transformers that
has won several
accolades and awards
for its impressive
performance. It is the
first company in JK
that has exported
equipment outside the
state. It is also only
the second Indian
transformer to have got
BIS certification for its
products.
Nisar Ahmed Baba
discusses the
challenges of running
a manufacturing
enterprise in JK, and
also sheds light on
some pressing issues
in the distribution
transformer industry.
An interaction by
Venugopal Pillai.
Power utilities must ensure that
they purchase quality products
— Nisar Ahmed Baba, Director,
Alba Power Pvt Ltd
Focus: Transformers

41. repairing of transformers to players
in the unorganised sector.
We appreciate that when it comes
to the manufacturing sector, JK
has challenging conditions. Please
discuss some of the major ones.
I feel Jammu and Kashmir is most
challenging for manufacturing
sector given the blockade of highway
during the winter, disruption of
communication, disruption of
Internet facilities, long duration
bandh and curfew. It is very difficult
to plan, execute and deliver as far as
manufacturing sector is concerned.
Government utilities are known to
inadvertentlypurchasesubstandard
distribution transformers in
their attempt to honour the L1
procurement guideline. What is
your view?
My opinion with regard to L1
procurement has always been that it
is nonsensical to decide purchase on
the basis of L1 tender! Utilities need
not only to ensure that they purchase
on reasonable rates but they need
also to ensure that they procure
quality product. The prime condition
in procuring quality product is to
ensure that rates are workable.
Talking about your company,
Alba Transformers is expected to
soon start production of 132kV
transformers. What is the current
status?
Due to disruption of law and order
in the valley, we could not stick to
our schedule to manufacture 132kv
transformer. The deadline has been
extended till 2018.
We understand that Alba has
received approval from BEE and
BIS for its transformers. How do
you this positively affecting your
company’s growth?
Alba is only the second company
in all of India to get BIS licence.
We are approved by BEE also.
The certification has resulted in
substantial orders for distribution
transformers in our favour. This
has had a favourable impact on us
given the fact that there are only few
manufacturers in our competition
who have BIS certification.
Tell us about your market outside
your home state JK.
As far as outside market for us is
concerned, it is challenging given
the geographical position, but we
have been successful in competing
with the market outside JK.
What are the key corporate
objectives that you would like to
see Alba Power achieving in the
next (say) 4-5 years?
The key objectives for Alba to be
achieved during the next five years is
to manufacture 132kV transformers,
repair up to 220kV transformers,
manufacture HT switchgear and
reach the Rs.100-crore sales turnover
mark. n
interview
TD India May 201741
Alba Power Pvt Ltd

42. TD India May 201742
he Edison Awards is an
annual competition honouring
excellence in new product
and service development, marketing,
human-centered design and
innovation. This year, Thyssenkrupp
took top honors at the 2017 Edison
Awards in New York. The company
receivedtheGoldawardinthecategory
“Transportation and Logistic”.
The award honors the ground-
breaking technology and concept
of MULTI which harnesses the
power of linear motor technology
to revolutionize urban mobility by
moving multiple elevator cars in
a single shaft both vertically and
horizontally.
“With MULTI, we are heralding the
end of the 160-year reign of the rope-
dependent elevator”, says Markus
Jetter, Head of Product Development
at thyssenkrupp Elevator and the
chief engineer of the MULTI.
While cities are getting bigger,
so do skyscrapers. Buildings are
becoming like vertical cities, and
they need a flexible transport system
similar to a metro. Efficient mobility
in buildings is no longer a luxury,
but an absolute necessity, making
MULTI one of the most significant
innovations in urban mobility. Using
the power of linear motor technology,
MULTI breaks the tradition of
rope-driven elevators, opening the
door to design possibilities in all
directions. It combines ground-
breaking technology with a simple
operationalconceptandconvenience
of passenger use.
MULTI has been designed to
increase passenger shaft capacity by
50 percent. It also requires smaller
shafts than conventional elevators,
and can increase a building’s usable
area by up to 25 percent. The increase
in efficiency also translates into a
lower requirement for escalators and
additional elevator shafts, resulting
in significant construction cost
savings as well as a multiplication of
rent revenues from increased usable
space.
The Edison Awards honor
excellence in new product and
service development, marketing,
design, and innovation. Named
for famed innovator Thomas Alva
Edison, the Edison Award is one
of the most prestigious accolades a
company can receive for innovation
and business success. The nominees
for the Edison Awards were judged
by a panel of over 3,000 business
executives, including past award
winners, academics, and leaders in
the fields of design, engineering,
science, and medicine. n
Innovation
Thyssenkrupp’s MULTI wins Edison Award
T
TheIndiansteelindustryiscapableofachieving
its production target of 300 million tonnes by
2030, up from the current 110 million tonnes, if
the industry’s concerns are properly addressed,
according to Nikunj Turakhia, President, Steel
Users Federation of India (SUFI).
In Turakhia’s opinion, major issues
confronting the Indian steel industry include
inefficient logistics system, high interest rates,
lack of assured raw material supply and huge
debt on the steel sector. On the other hand,
The allocation of Rs.3.96 trillion towards
infrastructure development, as announced in the
Union Budget 2017, can be a big demand driver
for steel, the SUFI President felt.
“The industry in under great anticipation
since the big budget allocation in infrastructure
development, as the announcement sets high
consumption targets. This can prove to be
a major demand driver for the growth of steel
sector. Such a move from the government
augurs for further investment in steel sector,
giving a major push to the industry as a whole,”
Turakhia added.
Meanwhile, India is poised to become the
world’s second largest steel producer in 2018-
19, displacing Japan. China is by far the world’s
largest steel producer with an annual output that
is over eight times that of India, according to
statistics released by World Steel Association.
Steel prospects upbeat

44. n Published on 10th of every month