Ash Management & Handling
Tough Stance
Stricter norms to improve fly ash utilisation levels
Coal continues to be the mainstay of India’s power generation, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the total […]
Capacity Crunch
Need to speed up commissioning of coal washeries
Indian coal has a high ash content of 35-45 per cent and its combustion causes significant air […]
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
Safe Currents
Key role of lightning protection and earthing technologies in power systems
The protection of power systems and equipment from external weather phenomenon such as lightning is critical for […]
Lightning Protection
Technologies to safeguard the power system
Lightning is an atmospheric discharge and one of the major causes of power system outages. This issue […]
R & M of Power Plants
New Life
Ongoing R&M and LE works to make existing plants flexible and cleaner
The programme for the renovation and modernisation (R&M) and life extension (LE) of power plants was initiated […]
Thermal R&M
Adapting to the changing energy scenario
The renovation and modernisation (R&M) programme for thermal power plants (TPPs) in India has been in place […]
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
Gaining Traction
EVs expected to gain wider uptake
Over the past two to three years, the government has been increasingly advocating electric mobility with an […]
Creating Opportunities
Positive impact of EVs on discoms and grid efficiency
The growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country is anticipated to increase volatility in the […]
Renewables
Alternative Route
Renewable off-grid solutions gain traction
With the 100 per cent village electrification target now complete, the government is now working proactively to […]
Getting More Efficient
Technology trends in the renewable energy segment
The past few years in the energy domain have been characterised by a changing energy mix and […]
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
Coal Rules
Continued dominance despite growing challenges
India’s reliance on coal as the dominant source of power generation continues, with it accounting for about […]
Emission Crackdown
New technologies to comply with new norms
By 2030, India intends to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP by 30-35 per cent from […]
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
Expanding the Grid
Focus on speedy project execution and new construction technologies
The transmission network in India has grown significantly over the past few years driven by the need […]
Monopoles and Micropiles
New tower and foundation designs reduce right-of-way requirements
Over the years, significant improvements have been made in transmission tower designs. Monopoles and multi-circuit towers, and […]
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
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 […]
Running Dry
Inadequate gas supply hampering segment growth
The gas-based power generation segment in the country has delivered a flat performance in the past couple […]
More…
Performance Check
Key tests to identify and measure transformer health
For the smooth functioning of the power system, it is important to ensure that the quality and […]
Fail Safe
Utilities invest in smart transformer technologies
Asset management refers to a strategic and systematic approach to managing physical assets by utilities. It focuses […]
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
Performance Check
Key tests to identify and measure transformer health
For the smooth functioning of the power system, it is important to ensure that the quality and […]
Fail Safe
Utilities invest in smart transformer technologies
Asset management refers to a strategic and systematic approach to managing physical assets by utilities. It focuses […]
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
Sluggish Demand
BTG industry looks at ways to tide over the slump
The thermal power generation segment has been under a lot of stress lately. The changing energy mix […]
Adaptable Operations
Flexibilising TPP equipment through retrofits and advanced technologies
The cyclic operation of thermal power plants (TPPs) may lower efficiency, increase maintenance requirements and reduce equipment […]
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 […]