Power Transmission in India
Keeping Pace
Expanding transmission infrastructure to support renewable
While renewable energy capacity is growing at a fast pace, transmission-related issues have been hampering further progress […]
Better Control
Industry adopts new asset management strategies for system efficiency
Asset management involves a strategic and systematic approach to managing physical assets, with a focus on business […]
Metering, Billing and Collection
Gaining Ground
Central and state initiatives driving smart meter uptake
Over the past couple of years, there has been an increasing focus on the implementation of smart […]
Utility Experience
Smart metering initiatives by state discoms
An accurate and prompt energy accounting system for measuring the inflow and outflow of energy at various […]
Power Line Summit 2019
Next Set of Reforms
The way forward for discoms
The fourth edition of the flagship Power Line Summit 2019 was held on October 23, 2019 at […]
Emerging Areas of Opportunity
Scope and potential of storage and charging infrastructure
In the panel discussion on “emerging areas of opportunities – storage and charging infrastructure”, senior government officials […]
Emerging Trends in T&D
Technology Priority
Advanced solutions for network expansion and efficiency improvement in transmission
Over the years, significant technological strides have been made on the transmission infrastructure front. Power transmission utilities […]
Smart Distribution
Key deployments, projects and future plans
The turnaround of the distribution segment hinges on the successful deployment of advanced technologies. In recent years, […]
Diesel & Gas Gensets
Backup Options
Continued demand for gensets for reliable supply
Diesel generator (DG) sets are popular power backup options for residential and commercial consumers. They are also […]
Power Economy
Case for combining DG sets with solar PV
Reliable and quality power supply is one of the key requirements of commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers. […]
Energy Management and Efficiency
PAT Progress
BEE’s steps to regulate energy consumption reduction for cost-effectiveness
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) launched the “perform, achieve and trade” (PAT) scheme in 2012, under […]
Optimum Savings
Enhancing energy efficiency in TPPs to reduce emissions
Thermal power is one of the most energy-intensive industries in the country. It is estimated that a […]
Testing and Measurement
Optimising Asset Performance
Growing focus on T&M of critical equipment
Testing and measurement (T&M) has immense significance in the power industry as supply reliability depends on the […]
Quality Counts
Smart meter testing key to ensuring power reliability
With all meters expected to be smart prepaid meters in the next three to four years, the […]
Cloud Solutions for Utilities
Moving to the Cloud
Use cases for discoms
The discoms face a host of challenges in the areas of metering and billing, peak load management […]
Cloud Computing Promise
Needs, drivers and potential for power utilities
The need to adopt new technologies for power utilities cannot be stressed enough, especially at present, when […]
Water Management for TPPs
Every Drop Counts
Efforts to reduce, recycle and reuse water at TPPs
Efforts to reduce, recycle and reuse water at TPPs Water plays a significant role in power generation […]
Reducing Consumption
Steps to manage the water requirement of FGD systems
Coal-based power plants are the largest producers of pollutants such as sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide […]
Transmission Infrastructure
Transmission Trends
Competitive bidding and technology focus drive segment growth
The transmission segment in India has seen considerable growth in the past few years owing to increasing […]
Updated Designs
Technology advancements in transmission towers
Over the years, transmission tower designs have evolved significantly in order to reduce the right-of-way (RoW) requirement, […]
AMI and Smart Metering
Automated Operation
Smart metering applications and initiatives in the distribution segment
The adoption of smart meters in the power distribution segment has been one of the key focus […]
Enabling AMI
Update on smart metering progress under government programmes
Metering is a key component of several government programmes in distribution including the Smart Metering National Programme […]
Transmission Lines, Towers and Structures
Freeing Up Space
Advanced conductor technologies to minimise RoW issues
Growing urbanisation has led to space constraints in most parts of the country, necessitating the installation of […]
Evolving Needs
Focus on advanced technologies to modernise and strengthen the grid
Transmission line length has grown considerably over the years to cater to the increasing generation capacity and […]
Power Quality
Unreliable Supply
Power quality issues and challenges
The power sector has put strong focus on bridging the gap between power demand and supply, ensuring […]
Model Recommendations
Standards and regulations governing power quality in India
All parameters of power quality (PQ) are not covered under the current regulations of the Central Electricity […]
Gas-Based Power Generation
Glimmer of Hope
Decline in R-LNG prices gives temporary respite to gas-based power
With capacity aggregating nearly 25 GW, gas-based power plants account for a share of 6.6 per cent […]
Improving Flexibility
Turbine technology trends and O&M best practices
There are two broadly adopted gas turbine technologies – open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) and combined cycle […]
Diesel Engines and Gas Gensets
Losing Steam
Market trends and outlook for diesel generators
Diesel generator (DG) sets have played an important role in meeting the backup requirements of consumers across […]
Backup Option
Gas gensets offer an efficient alternative to diesel-based gensets
While the most widely used gensets are diesel based, with increasing environmental concerns related to diesel generators […]
O&M of Power Plants
Good O&M Practices
Interventions needed for TPPs to maintain equipment performance
Over the years, the power stations have been witnessing deterioration in their performance as they age. This […]
Curbing Emissions
Efficacy of NOX and SOX control technologies in the Indian context
The implementation of emission norms is one of the key priorities of power plant developers. In order […]
Ash Management & Handling
Pollution Control
Fly ash utilisation modes, efforts and policy norms
Indian coal is characterised by high ash content, which is in the range of 30-45 per cent. […]
Minimising Water Use
Ash handling systems and technologies
Gencos are increasingly looking at technologies and solutions to reduce the environmental impact of coal-based power generation. […]
Substations & Switchgear
Critical Role
Advanced switchgear and substation technologies take centre stage
Switchgear is a combination of devices that are used to monitor, regulate, control, protect and isolate electrical […]
So Far, So Good
Government schemes help augment substation capacity
In the past few years, the focus of various government programmes in the transmission and distribution segments […]
SOx and NOx Control for TPPs
Emission Control Efforts
Gencos’ plans and progress
Reducing emissions from coal-based power plants has been one of the key focus areas of the government. […]
SOx Control
Technology options for thermal power plants
Indian coal contains sulphur in the range of 0.2 per cent to 0.7 per cent by weight. […]
Solar and Wind Power in India
Set to Pick Up
Hope for solar growth after a brief slowdown
Over the past one year or so, the solar power segment has witnessed a slowdown in its […]
Facing Headwinds
Policy shift and transmission constraints impact segment growth
India’s installed wind power capacity was around 35,626 MW as of March 2019, making it the fourth […]
Grid Modernisation in Gujarat
“Gujarat is a power-surplus state”
Views of GUVNL’s Pankaj Joshi
Driven by a conducive policy framework, Gujarat’s renewable energy sector has shown remarkable growth, increasing by almost […]
“Technology plays an important role”
Views of GETCO’s B.B. Chauhan
Improving the quality of power supply and utilising assets efficiently are the top priorities for one of […]
IT-OT in Power
Smarter Supervision
Policy drivers and progress in the deployment of SCADA
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a system for acquiring and analysing information obtained from numerous […]
Virtual Storage
Utilities adopt cloud computing for enhanced data management
Cloud computing technology is fast gaining traction in the country. As per industry estimates, the public cloud […]
Power Line Summit 2018
Growing Participation
Success and challenges of privatisation in distribution
The third edition of the Power Line Summit was held on October 9, 2018 at The Leela […]
Future of Coal
Demand may decline only by 2040
Rapid renewable capacity additions, declining renewable energy tariffs and stricter environmental norms for coal-based power generation have […]
Earthing and Lightning
Surge Arrest
Deploying earthing and lightning protection systems to prevent equipment damage
The protection of electrical equipment and networks from the direct and indirect impact of lightning strikes is […]
Safety First
Design and technology solutions for lightning protection
Earthing and lightning protection systems (LPSs) are used to protect buildings/structures from direct lightning strikes and possible […]
R & M of Power Plants
Wider Scope
R&M works improve TPP performance, and more
The renovation and modernisation (R&M) and life extension (LE) programme has been critical to thermal power plant […]
Extended Life
Need for financial and policy support for upgrading hydro plants
Renovation and modernisation (R&M) of hydroelectric plants (HEPs) gives a new lease of life to operating units […]
Digitalisation of Power Plants
Digital Wave
Utilities adopt advanced technology solutions for cost and efficiency gains
The digital revolution in the power sector has gained momentum. Power generation utilities across the world are […]
A Step Up
Digital solutions at TPPs get more sophisticated
The deployment of digital solutions at the boiler, turbine and generator (BTG) level has gained traction in […]
Electric Vehicles
Green Mobility
EV policy road map
India is currently facing an acute air pollution crisis, with the presence of 14 of the top […]
Powering Transport
Business models for EV charging infrastructure
The Indian automobile industry recorded sales of 26.27 million units in 2018-19, of which only 0.75 million […]
Renewables
Clean Potential
Solar segment attracts global interest amidst Covid and other challenges
Solar power is the fastest growing segment in the Indian power sector. The country’s solar power capacity […]
Subdued Growth
Wind segment witnessing sluggish capacity addition
The wind power segment is facing subdued capacity addition, primarily owing to transmission and land issues, which […]
Lighting
In the Spotlight
UJALA and SLNP schemes make impressive gains
The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) programme launched in January 2015 by Energy Efficiency […]
Lighting Makeover
LED market to see a surge in new technologies
The Indian LED market has undergone a sea change in the past couple of years, mainly on […]
Grid Modernisation in Assam
“We have made major strides in bringing down AT&C losses”
Views of Assam Power Department’s Jishnu Barua
Assam’s power sector has seen major improvements in recent years. The state has achieved 100 per cent […]
“Grid modernisation is an inevitability”
Views of APDCL’s Puru Gupta
State discom Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) is the sole distribution licensee in Assam, serving a […]
Grid Modernisation in Maharashtra
Views of MSEDCL’s Sanjeev Kumar
“With advancements in communications technology, digitalisation has become even more relevant”
To increase its operational efficiency and ensure effective network planning, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) […]
Views of Maharashtra Energy Department’s Arvind Singh
“Our focus will be on network modernisation”
Maharashtra’s power sector has witnessed significant developments since the unbundling of its state electricity board in 2005. […]
Coal-based Power Generation
Slow Compliance
Challenges in meeting emission control requirements
India is expected to achieve a total installed power generation capacity of 830 GW by 2030, half […]
Investing in Flexibilisation
Need to incentivise thermal plants to facilitate the transition to renewables
India’s energy mix consists primarily of electricity based on fossil fuels, which account for 61.9 per cent […]
HVDC Technology
Technology Evolution
Tracing the history of HVDC transmission
High voltage direct current (HVDC) technology has provided the industry with a powerful tool to move a […]
HVDC Gaining Ground
Growth in renewables driving HVDC deployment
Globally, there are over 200 high voltage direct current (HVDC) systems installed across continents, since the world’s […]
Towers and Structures
Tower Trends
Technology advancements and market growth drivers
The power transmission network has been growing steadily to ensure congestion-free transmission of power, provide evacuation infrastructure […]
Optimal Designs
Aiming to achieve compact, easy-to-install transmission towers
Transmission tower designs have evolved significantly over the years. Narrow-base, multicircuit towers are being used in place […]
Power Line Summit 2017
Changing Dynamics
Coal remains the mainstay, but needs to adapt to new realities
The second edition of the Power Line Summit was held on October 10, 2017 at The Imperial […]
Renewable Concerns
Is the sector on track to achieve 175 GW by 2022?
Whether progress towards the 175 GW renewable energy target is on track or not has been the […]
Grid Modernisation in Rajasthan
Views of Rajasthan Energy Department’s Sanjay Malhotra
“We aim to provide reliable, cost-effective power”
Over the years, the need for a stable and reliable grid has been emphasised time and again. […]
Views of JVVNL’s R.G. Gupta
“We are heading towards a healthier grid”
Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL), the largest of Rajasthan’s three discoms, has taken a number of […]
Substation Automation
Standards and Protocols
IEC 61850 provides substation automation solution
Smart substations that are capable of responding to real-time events form a critical component of smart grids. […]
Equipment Condition Monitoring
Strategies for improving substation performance
Utilities need to make decisions regarding power network equipment performance, maintenance schedules, replacement of existing assets and […]
Power Generation
Power Generation
Monthly statistics year over year
Total power generation stood at 112.95 BUs in June 2020. At around 38.87 BUs and 31.96 BUs, […]
Coal Currents
TPPs continue to face demand and fuel challenges
With nearly 75 per cent share in the total power generation during 2018-19, coal continues to be […]
More…
Transformer Industry Trends
Key opportunities and outlook
Transformers form the core of power systems across the world. As electrical grids become more complex with […]
Technology Improvements
Exploring new transformer designs and features
The growth in the power transformer segment is attributed to the demand for high voltage (HV) and […]
Solar Power
Declining Trend
Solar cost economics and tariff trajectory
Of late, the solar segment has witnessed a steep reduction in tariffs – falling as low as […]
Sharing Resources
Solar parks optimise costs and infrastructure facilities
Solar parks are expected to be one of the key instruments for achieving the government’s solar target […]
Switchgear
So Far, So Good
Government schemes help augment substation capacity
In the past few years, the focus of various government programmes in the transmission and distribution segments […]
Preventing Breakdowns
Digital substations enable continuous monitoring
As electrical grids become more complex with the integration of intermittent renewable energy, grid operators need solutions […]
Boilers
Optimum Ratios
Impact of coal blending on boiler performance
Coal blending is the uniform mixing of different coals in predetermined proportions. It is not confined to […]
Enhancing Performance
Deployment of technology solutions to maximise efficiency
Power plant performance optimisation is one of the key objectives for power plant owners. Improving boiler efficiency […]
Transformers
Transformer Industry Trends
Key opportunities and outlook
Transformers form the core of power systems across the world. As electrical grids become more complex with […]
Technology Improvements
Exploring new transformer designs and features
The growth in the power transformer segment is attributed to the demand for high voltage (HV) and […]
Grid Modernisation in Telangana
“We are committed to providing 24×7 supply”
Views of Telangana Energy Department’s Ajay Mishra
Telangana has been taking initiatives to ensure 24×7 power supply to consumers. It is also aiming to […]
“Grid modernisation is a continuous journey”
Views of TSSPDCL’s G. Raghuma Reddy
Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (TSSPDCL) is one of the country’s newest and best performing […]
Microgrids
Wider Scope
Increasing role of microgrids in the industry
Microgrids have emerged as one of the key technologies in the ongoing energy transition. A microgrid is […]
Enhancing Energy Access
Renewable energy microgrids are not new to India and have been deployed as part of the central […]
Insulators
Fault Detection
Insulation tests key to preventing system breakdowns
Maintaining the reliability of power supply systems is becoming increasingly important as electrical installations get more and […]
Damage Control
Combating the effects of pollution on insulators through proper maintenance
With the rising electricity demand and increase in the bulk transfer of power, it has become imperative […]
Smart Grids in India
Smart Grid Progress
NSGM and pilot projects pave the way for a smooth transition
The traditional electricity grid is gradually evolving to become smart, driven by growing digitalisation and the changing […]
Smart Meter Roll-out
Expected to pick up pace after a slow start
Smart metering is essentially the first step towards a smart grid. It involves not only the installation […]
BTG Equipment
Uncertain Times
The global Covid-19 crisis is significantly impacting the economy. The power sector too is feeling the effects […]
Flexible Operation
Costs, challenges and key solutions
The power market in the country has been evolving continuously – vertically integrated utilities have made way […]
Grid Modernisation & Strengthening
Infrastructure Upgrade
Greater penetration of smart substations and transformers
Electric power systems were traditionally designed for unidirectional flow of power. Also, as conventional fuels dominated the […]
Tracking Progress
Update on key government programmes
The government is committed to ensuring affordable electricity access to all. To this end, one of the […]
Environmental Solutions for Power Plants
Green Measures
Particulate control technologies to reduce emissions from coal plants
Coal-based plants emit dust of about 10 microns size on burning pulverised coal. Given its adverse environmental […]
NOx Reduction
Solutions to lower the environmental impact of coal burning
Coal is a key source for meeting India’s power requirement, contributing about 80 per cent to the […]
Hydro Power in India
Hydro Outlook
Declining share but hope for revival
The hydropower segment in India has witnessed sluggish growth in the past few years. As of February […]
PSP Benefits
Growing role of pumped storage in managing renewable capacity
Pumped storage plants (PSPs) are the most common energy storage systems across the world. As per estimates, […]
Quality of Power in India
Quality Check
Active measures needed to improve supply reliability
Power quality refers to the stability and consistency of electricity supply. In India, the concept has gained […]
Reliable Supply
Technological solutions to mitigate power quality issues
With increasing renewable energy penetration, rural household electrification and proliferation of electric vehicles, power quality is likely […]
Cables & Conductors
Revving Up
Government initiatives drive demand for cables and conductors
Cables and conductors are crucial elements of a transmission and distribution (T&D) network. The cable and conductor […]
Technology Focus
Update on advances in cable and conductor design
Large-scale transmission of power is the need of the hour in light of the growing renewable energy […]