T&D India (Jan-Feb 2018) - Rethinking power distribution policies

Recently, the Union power minister announced that the government was considering a pro
RR -
posal to separate the aspects of “carriage” and “content” in the power distribution sector.RRThis is poised to be an interesting development and if implemented, can define new paradigms
in a sector where much needs to be done to shore up the existing technical, managerial and
commercial efficiency levels.
If the scheme is implemented, the carriage (power distribution network) will be separated from
the content (retail supply of electricity). Thus, there will be one government-owned entity man-
aging the carriage and a multiplicity of operators that will manage the content. It paves the
way for electricity consumers to choose their content provider, which is to say their electricity
supplier. To protect the interest of the consumer, it is likely that one of the content providers will
be a government-owned company.
The scheme makes sense because management of a distribution network is an exercise in the
technical domain while dealing with consumers is more of a commercial exercise. There are
issues like meter reading, billing, collection of dues, handling customer complaints that need a
very specialized kind of expertise. There is merit therefore in the proposed separation.
Some current provisions in the Electricity Act, with respect to power distribution, need rethink-
ing. For instance, the Act allows for multiple power distribution licencees in the same area. This
policy has not served the intended purpose. While it was expected that a distribution licencee
will set up infrastructure in that part of the command area where there is deficient network.
However, we have a situation today where there are two distribution licencees targeting the
same set of consumers, which does not really serve any purpose. Mumbai is an example of
multiple distribution licencees.
“Open Access” that allows large consumers (usually industrial consumers) to choose their own
source of electricity supply has also not been successful. In this case, the OA consumer uses
the network of the local discom but chooses his own electricity supplier. Power discoms are
known to charge cross-subsidy surcharge from industrial consumers that avail Open Access,
making the power purchase cost-ineffective. Power discoms also feel that the frequent switch-
ing of electricity supply (between local discom to external supplier) adversely affects the local
discom’s management of power purchase and peak load management.
Making power distribution a competitive activity has been amongst the foremost objectives of
the Electricity Act. Competition is expected to be ultimately beneficial to the end-consumers,
and must be encouraged. However, there are issues like cross subsidy surcharge that need to
be looked into so that tariffs remain fair for across all consumer segments.
January-February 20184T&D India
EDIT PAGE
Rethinking power distribution policies
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critical analysis.— Dalai Lama
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Harish Rao
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Abhishek Mishra
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CONTENTS
January-February 20186T&D India
8 T&D NEWS Adani to acquire RInfra’s Mumbai power business
FEDCO wins mandate to turn around Nigerian discom
Telangana plans real-time monitoring of industrial area power supply
FOCUS : CABLES & CONDUCTORS
28 INDUSTRY MONITOR Improving quality and safety awareness in LV cables
Also: Orders & Contracts (17) New Launches (19) Short Takes (50)
12 INTERVIEW THDC’s installed capacity will cross 4,500 mw in five years
D.V. Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, THDC India Ltd
18 SPECIAL STORY Arunachal is home to half of India’s non-electrified villages
20 INTERVIEW Localization is our principal growth driver
Marc Jarrault, Managing Director, Lapp Group India Pvt Ltd
23 TECHNICAL INSIGHT Solar Cables for Photovoltaic Systems
26 CASE STUDY AEP increases efficiency of 345kV ACSR corridor
32 FACT FILE Energy conservation by Indian Railways
34 LEAD STORY Solar power to get manufacturing boost
40 RENEWABLES Sharp pickup expected in solar rooftops
42 INTERVIEW We are seeing newer dimensions in the energy sector
Vikram Gandotra, Convener, World Utility Summit, ELECRAMA 2018
48 ACHIEVEMENT ABB successfully tests 1,100kV UHVDC transformer
ERDA wins patent for fault current limiter
49 VIEW POINT Differential anti-dumping duty on specific countries needed: AISIA
Cover Photo: LS Cable

T&D India January-February 20188
dani Transmission Ltd
has announced that it has
signed a binding share
purchase agreement with Reliance
Infrastructure Ltd (RInfra) to fully
acquire the latter’s integrated
power business in Mumbai. The
deal, valued at Rs.13,251 crore
plus working capital, is subject to
regulatory approvals.
With the deal, Adani Transmission
now will mark its presence in the
power distribution business—adding
substantial value to its power-related
businesses that span coal mining,
power generation and transmission.
The Mumbai power business of
RInfra is vested with a wholly-owned
subsidiary Reliance Electricity
Generation & Supply Ltd. The
integrated power business includes
500 mw of coal-based power
generation capacity, over 540 ckm of
transmission lines and around 1,900
mw of power distribution activity
to around 3 million customers.
The power generation facility is
represented by the 500-mw (two
units of 250-mw each) Dahanu coal-
fired power plant located in Palghar
district of Maharashtra.
Despite selling of its Mumbai
power distribution business, RInfra
will continue to remain in the power
distribution business with its two
companies BSES Yamuna Power Ltd
and BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, which
are power distribution licencees
in Delhi. Both are joint ventures
between Reliance Infrastructure
and Government of National Capital
Territory (NCT).
ThisistheseconddealbetweenAdani
Transmission and RInfra. In October
this year, the two companies signed
a binding term sheet agreement
for RInfra’s three operational
transmission projects, namely
WRSSS-B, WRSSS-C and Parbati
Koldam Transmission Company Ltd
(PKTCL). WRSS (Western Region
SystemStrengtheningScheme)spans
states like Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
Parbati Koldam Transmission
Company is a 74:26 joint venture
between Reliance Infrastructure
and Power Grid Corporation of
India Ltd. Under this transaction,
Adani Transmission would acquire
100 per cent ownership in WRSSS
B & C and 74 per cent ownership in
PKTCL.
T&D NEWS
A
24x7 free power for
Telangana farmers
TELANGANA
Adani to acquire RInfra’s Mumbai power business
ransrail Lighting Ltd, a turnkey solutions provider in
the power T&D space, has secured new orders worth
Rs.904 crore in India and abroad during the six months
ending September 2017. The company’s order book as on
September 30, 2017 stood at Rs.3,580 crore, Transrail said
in a press release.
Even as domestic business contributes to the overall
revenue of Transrail, the company’s international business
is also gaining traction, the release noted. The company
is currently executing several projects in countries such
as Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya,
Nigeria, Togo, etc. In fact, post September 30, 2017 (the
date of the aforementioned order book position), Transrail
has added new international contracts amounting to Rs.119
crore in Kenya and Rs.36 crore in Bangladesh.
Commenting on the growing order book, D. C. Bagde,
Managing Director, Transrail Lighting Ltd said, “Our
growing overseas presence has been instrumental in
generating new enquiries. Once we’ve won a mandate,
we’re determined to set the highest benchmarks in the
T&D industry as testimony to our value proposition.”
It may be recalled that in early 2016 Transrail successfully
completed the acquisition of the power transmission and
distribution business, from its erstwhile parent company
Gammon India Ltd through a business transfer agreement
and scheme of arrangement. Transrail has design,
manufacturing and testing facilities with respect to power
T&D, as well as lighting infrastructure. Much of Transrail’s
current business—around 95 per cent—comes from the
power T&D sector.
Transrail wins Rs.904 crore of new orders in H1 of FY18Transrail wins Rs.904 crore of new orders in H1 of FY18
T
Transrail wins Rs.904 crore of new orders in H1 of FY18Transrail wins Rs.904 crore of new orders in H1 of FY18
Rs.904 crore in India and abroad during the six months
ending September 2017. The company’s order book as on
September 30, 2017 stood at Rs.3,580 crore, Transrail said
in a press release.
revenue of Transrail, the company’s international business
is also gaining traction, the release noted. The company
is currently executing several projects in countries such
as Afghanistan, Benin, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya,
Nigeria, Togo, etc. In fact, post September 30, 2017 (the
date of the aforementioned order book position), Transrail
has added new international contracts amounting to Rs.119
crore in Kenya and Rs.36 crore in Bangladesh.
Managing Director, Transrail Lighting Ltd said, “Our
growing overseas presence has been instrumental in
generating new enquiries. Once we’ve won a mandate,
we’re determined to set the highest benchmarks in the
T&D industry as testimony to our value proposition.”
completed the acquisition of the power transmission and
distribution business, from its erstwhile parent company
Gammon India Ltd through a business transfer agreement
and scheme of arrangement. Transrail has design,
manufacturing and testing facilities with respect to power
T&D, as well as lighting infrastructure. Much of Transrail’s
current business—around 95 per cent—comes from the
power T&D sector.
T

T&D NEWS
T&D NEWS
eedback Energy
Distribution Company
(FEDCO), a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Feedback
Infra has bagged the business of
turning around the business and
technical operations of the Port
Harcourt Electricity Distribution
Company (PHEDC) of Nigeria.
PHEDC has 680,000 consumers
across four Nigerian states, with
a combined area of 50,000 sqkm
and a total population of 14 million.
FEDCO will be the technical
services partner for PHEDC for five
years. Its role is to turn around the
business and technical operations
of PHEDC by lowering the AT&C
losses of PHEDC.
FEDCO would depute nine senior
experts to PHEDC for five years who
will be responsible for overhauling
the organisation, including its
restructuring, improving operational
and commercial performance,
implementing best practices,
increase quality, and use analytics
for the whole organization. They will
lead the commercial, procurement,
engineering, and HR functions.
“Against stiff competition from
more established foreign discoms,
we have won this mandate from
PHEDCL to partner with them and
improve their work. We look
forward to achieving similar,
if not better results in Nigeria,
than what we have achieved
in India,” Devtosh Chaturvedi,
Managing Director, Feedback
Energy Distribution Company,
said in a release.
Port Harcourt is FEDCO’s
second foreign mandate to
turnaround a discom. Four
months earlier, it won a similar
mandatetoimprovethetechnological
operations of the discom of Nigeria’s
Enugu state.
FEDCO is a distribution franchisee
in four electricity divisions—Puri,
Balugaon, Khurda and Nayagarh—
under Central Electricity Supply
Utility (CESU) of Odisha. FEDCO
is also providing services to four
areas of Madhya Pradesh, under the
“Management Operator” model.
FEDCO wins mandate to turn around Nigerian discom
F
elangana State South Power
Distribution Company Ltd
(TSSPDCL), one of the
electricity distribution companies in
Telangana, has invited expressions
of interest from potential EPC
contractors for setting up integrated
systems for distribution automation
andrealtimemonitoringinindustrial
areas falling under TSSPDCL’s
licence area.
The scope of work includes
installation of distribution
automation equipment on 11kV
overhead lines and its integration,
through suitable communication
infrastructure, with control centre.
The EPC contractor is also expected
to install communication equipment
for automation best suitable for
the area to be served. The bidder
is expected to assess conditions in
the project area and come up with
an optimal solution. The player will
also be responsible for installation
of real time monitoring equipment
for condition-based monitoring and
generating periodic reports through
data analytics for maintaining asset
health. The EPC contractor is also
expected to act as a technical advisor
and also provide O&M services for a
period of five years.
The project will be implemented in
ten distribution circles that cover 127
substations (33/11kV), 451 feeders
(11kV) and 13,530 distribution
transformers (see table). The total
command area of TSSPDCL covers
8 million customers in 20 circles.
There are 28 industrial areas and
94 industrial parks in the overall
command area. Out of this, the
Greater Hyderabad Municipal
Corporation (GHMC) area alone has
14 industrial areas and 46 industrial
parks.
The project aims at bringing down
the system average interruptions
frequency index (SAIFI) and system
average interruption duration index
(SAIDI). Both these parameters
measure the efficiency of the discom.
Once SAIFI and SAIDI are brought
down in the ten distribution circles,
it will also have a positive impact on
the overall SAIFI/SAIDI levels of the
discom.
ItmaybementionedthatTSSPDCL
is also in the midst of implementing
a SCADA automation project that
covers 228 substations in the GHMC
area and 156 feeders in Hyderabad
city.
Telangana plans real-time monitoring of industrial area power supply
T
Circle
No. of units in coverage area
Substations Feeders DTs
Hyderabad (North) 5 44 1,320
Cybercity 2 18 540
Habsiguda 10 79 2,370
Medchal 7 67 2,010
Rajendranagar 13 49 1,470
Saroornagar 7 10 300
Mahaboobnagar 7 10 300
Sangareddy 18 65 1,950
Medak 10 32 960
Nalgonda 48 77 2,310
Total 127 451 13,530

THDC represents a joint venture
between the Central and
State Governments to execute
challenging hydropower projects.
What advantages did THDC enjoy
as compared with a pure Central
Government agency or a pure State
Government entity?
As a Central Public Sector Enterprise
(CPSE), THDCIL enjoys greater
freedom to take business decisions
in the interest of corporation and
nation at large, through their board.
Many limitations of pure central
government organization and
state government organization are
done away with. This is the basic
premise on which CPSEs have been
founded. The decisions are taken
by the Board and do not require
Parliament or Assembly approvals
for certain things. Many powers have
been entrusted upon Maharatna,
Navratna and Miniratna PSEs to
accelerate decision making.
The Tehri Dam hydropower project,
as we understand, has completed
one decade of operations. How has
the plant been faring in terms of
power generation?
Yes, Tehri HPP has been generating
quality peak power for last ten
years of operation. We have always
been able to consistently achieve
the generation targets set by the
Government of India. We are
generating energy during peak
hours at affordable price. The
plant availability factor of Tehri is
82 per cent which is considered to
be excellent for a storage project
like Tehri having large variation
in reservoir level. Total energy
THDC India Ltd,
formerly Tehri
Hydro Development
Corporation Ltd, was
incorporated in 1988
with the objective of
developing mainly the
mega 2,400-mw Tehri
hydropower complex.
It is amongst the early
instances of a joint
venture between the
Union and any state
of hydropower. In this
exclusive exchange,
D.V. Singh, discusses
the challenges in
executing large
hydropower projects,
and also explains how
THDC is consciously
diversifying into other
forms of clean energy
like wind and solar. An
interview by
Venugopal Pillai.
THDC’s installed capacity will
— D.V. Singh, Chairman & Managing Director,
THDC India Ltd
INTERVIEW
Long view of Tehri Dam

INTERVIEW
generated so far is 34480 million
kwh whereas the energy generated
during the last fiscal (FY17) was
3146 million kwh.
The 444-MW Vishnugad Pipalkoti
hydropower project is reportedly
moving slower than anticipated.
Whathavebeenthemainchallenges
in this World Bank-aided project,
and is the broad current status?
When is commissioning expected?
Large engineering construction
projects always involve lot of
challenges but unlike other projects,
hydropower project that too in
the youngest mountains such as
Himalayasinvolvesalotofadditional
challenges like complex geological
setup and remote project locations.
In the case of Vishnugad Pipalkoti
HEP, the main challenges are:
Frequent stoppages of work by
various stakeholders on unrealistic
or unjust demands are hampering
resettlement and rehabilitation of
project-affected persons.
Complex geological setup mainly
in the powerhouse complex
area and tunnel boring machine
platform. I would like to mention
that Vishnugad Pipalkoti Project
involves a lot of underground
works, therefore complexity of
geological setup is one of the
major challenges.
The civil works contractor is facing
a serious cash flow problem. At
present almost, all of the civil works
contractors working in hydropower
projects of this magnitude are
encountering cash flow problem
due to industry-specific factors.
Though delayed, the situation
is gradually improving and we
have made a good progress in
river diversion works and desilting
chamber. Soon, the river would
be diverted in order to enable the
start of dam works. Moreover, we
are also working to make up for the
lost time. We have already resolved
major issues in hydro-mechanical
and electromechanical works.
Commissioning of the project is
expected in November 2020.
Similarly, what is the current status
of the 1000-MW Tehri pumped
storage scheme, which is amongst
India’s largest pumped storage
projects?
Project received set back due to
following broad reasons:
Delay in finalisation of design
and drawings by the contractor
on account of encountering varied
geological conditions with respect
to Geological Baseline Report
requiring change in methodology,
requiring extra work and heavy
stabilization measures eg: cable
anchors in various structures.
Non availability of Asena Quarry
(Designated quarry for mining of
boulders for aggregate production)
due to local agitation, lease
suspension by District Magistrate
of Tehri, has resulted in delays.
Muckdisposalisgenerallystopped
by local villagers in the Chopra
dumping area, pressing for their
various new demands every now
and then.
How is THDC trying to improve the
situation?
THDCIL is trying to improve the
work progress. Interest bearing
working capital Advance against
Bank Guarantees has been provided
to the contractor to counter cash flow
problems.
Around 60 per cent of the works
have been executed so far with
respect to electromechanical and
hydro-mechanicalworks.Theproject
is scheduled to be commissioned by
December 2020.
THDC has successfully diversified
into wind energy with a current
operational portfolio of over 100
MW. Tell us more on your wind
energy business.
THDCILhascommissionedtwowind
power projects—50 mw at Patan and
63 mw at Dwaraka in Gujarat. The
Dwarka project of 30x2.1-mw was
commissioned in a record time of
four months on March 30, 2017 for
which THDCIL was able to get the
generation-based incentive (GBI)
from Government of India. During
the next five years, THDCIL is
planning to add another 250 mw of
renewable energy to its portfolio.
Does THDC plan to enter the solar
energy business?
An MOU has already been signed
THDC INDIA
Downstream view of Koteshwar HEP

INTERVIEW
between THDCIL and SECI in
2015 for setting up a 250-mw
solar photovoltaic (PV) project.
Accordingly, a tripartite agreement
has been signed between SECI,
THDCIL and KSEB for development
of 50-mw solar power project in
Kasargod, Kerala. The work is likely
to be awarded by end of this year. The
power purchase agreement (PPA)
for this project has been signed with
Kerala State Electricity Board.
THDC has diversified even into
thermal power generation with
the 1,320-mw Khurja supercritical
power project in Uttar Pradesh.
What has been further progress on
the project after the environmental
clearance secured in May this
year?
The consultancy contract for DPR
of Amelia coal mines has been
awarded to CMPDIL in April, 2017.
The draft report has been submitted
by CMPDIL. The process of land
acquisition is underway. Further,
NTPC has been appointed as
consultant for rendering consultancy
from concept to commissioning. The
investment approval of the project is
expected soon.
Tell us in brief about expanding
your hydropower business to other
states, Maharashtra for instance.
In the current power mix scenario
of the country, it is inevitable to add
hydropower projects to the grid in
order to absorb the intermittency of
renewable power. Further, pumped
storage plants are essentially
required to be constructed to
cater this need more. The Malshej
Ghat Pumped Storage Project in
Maharashtra, whose DPR has
already been submitted to the
Maharashtra government by a joint
venture of THDCIL and NPCIL is yet
to be awarded to joint venture The
project has been kept in abeyance
by Maharashtra Government due to
financial constraints.
India has made a strategic decision
to invest in hydropower capacity in
water-rich countries like Bhutan
and Nepal. What is your view?
What is the broad current status
of THDC’s 2,560-mw Sankosh
hydropower project in Bhutan?
The projects in Bhutan are
strategically very important to India,
particularly in the aftermath of the
Doklam crisis. The DPR of Sankosh
project has been cleared by Indian
and Bhutanese governments. A
meeting was held on October 24,
2017, in MEA (Ministry of External
Affairs) regarding implementation
of Sankosh hydroelectric project.
THDCIL is making all out efforts to
get the project for implementation.
The 180-mw Bunakha project, also
in Bhutan, and whose DPR was
also prepared by THDCIL is still
pending due to financing issues in
downstream projects.
What is your envisaged power
portfolio over the next five years
across various types - hydropower,
thermal and renewables?
In the next five years, the 1,000-
mw Tehri pumped storage plant,
444-mw Vishugad Pipalkoti HEP
and 24-mw Dhukwan SHEP will be
commissioned taking our installed
capacity in hydropower to 2,868 mw.
Besides, we will be adding 1320-
mw thermal power capacity through
the Khurja super thermal power
plant. We also envisage adding 50
mw of wind power and 200 mw of
solar power to our renewable power
portfolio in the next five years. Thus,
we see our company with installed
capacity of 4,551 mw in next five
years.
THDC INDIA
Underground powerhouse of Tehri HEP
THDC’s 63-mw Dwarka wind farm,
whilst under construction

ORDERS & CONTRACTS
Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (RInfra)
has won two EPC contracts in Ban-
gladesh together valued at Rs.5,000
crore. The projects were won on
international competitive bidding.
The first EPC contract includes set-
ting up the entire infrastructure of
a 750-mw LNG-based combined
cycle power plant at Meghnaghat
(Dhaka) while the second project is
for building a 500 mmscmd floating
storage regasification unit (FSRU)
based integrated LNG terminal proj-
ect at Kutubdia Island, both in Ban-
gladesh. Both the contracts are to be
executed in a project schedule of 24
months, and are to be completed by
2019. The contracts for both the proj-
ects entail design, engineering, sup-
ply, transportation, erection, testing
and commissioning processes. The
integrated LNG terminal project
works would include setting up jetty
and onshore and offshore gas pipe-
lines.
KEC International Ltd has secured
new orders of Rs.2,424 crore across
all its business units. The power
T&D business has secured orders of
Rs.1,636 crore across India, SAARC,
Africa and the Americas. In In-
dia, KEC has won a Rs.117-crore
turnkey order for construction of a
400/220kV GIS substation in Gu-
jarat from Power Grid Corporation
of India. In the SAARC region, the
company has landed orders valued
at Rs.1,058 crore in Afghanistan and
Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the Rail-
ways business has secured orders
of Rs.595 crore for various projects
in India, while the cables business
has clinched deals worth Rs.115
crore for supply of various types of
cables.
The power T&D business of Lar-
sen & Toubro has bagged orders
worth Rs.1,600 crore. The orders
include one from the Saudi Elec-
tricity Company for construction of
380kV overhead transmission line
between Qassim 2 and Madinah
East Bulk Supply Point substations.
This is one of the longest lines in
Saudi Arabia, with a route length
of more than 400km, a release from
L&T said. In UAE, orders have been
won for the design, supply, instal-
lation, testing and commissioning
of three 132/11kV substations and
associated works, one each from
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority
(DEWA), Shamal Development and
Meraas Development.
Kalpataru Power Transmission
Ltd, in a stock exchange filing, an-
nounced the receipt of new orders
worth Rs.875 crore for construction
of transmission lines. The Mumbai-
headquartered company said that
Rs.278 crore worth of orders related
to India, while the remaining Rs.597
crore were for works in Afghanistan,
Ivory Coast and Bangladesh. In the
current fiscal year, up to December
13, the company has won orders
worth Rs.5,900 crore.
Techno Electric & Engineering Co
Ltd has won its first order in Afghan-
istan. The Kolkata-headquartered
announced that it has clinched a
Rs.206-crore order from Breshna
Sherkat (DABS), Kabul, for design,
supply and construction of a 500kV
substation, as part of a project fund-
ed by Asian Development Bank.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd
(BHEL) has secured an order valued
at Rs.215 crore for renovation and
modernization (R&M) of electrostat-
ic precipitators (ESP) at NTPC’s Ka-
halgaon super thermal power station
in Bihar. The turnkey order envisag-
es R&M of ESPs at Stage-I (4x210-
mw) of the power plant. The existing
ESPs, also supplied by BHEL, have
been in operation for more than 25
years, a release from BHEL said.
Major equipment for the project will
be supplied by BHEL’s units located
at Ranipet and Bhopal, while the ex-
ecution on site will be undertaken
by Power Sector Eastern Region.
ABB India has received an order for
an automation and electrical sys-
tem for a 2 million tpa greenfield
plant in Odisha by Emami Cement,
part of the Kolkata-based Emami
Group. The solution implemented
will minimize energy consumption
and enhance the overall plant per-
formance. ABB will be undertaking
complete project implementation
including supply, erection, testing
and commissioning for the electrical
distribution and distributed control
system (DCS). The 800xA DCS will
help monitor, control and optimize
the cement manufacturing process
while maximising plant uptime. The
electrical distribution system inlcu-
des 220kV switchyard with a 20/25
MVA 220kV/11kV transformer, 11kV
board, intelligent motor control cen-
ter, distribution transformer, medi-
um and low voltage capacitors and
allied accessories.
LJUNGSTRÖM, a division of the
AVROS Group, has been awarded
a contract for the supply of air pre-
heaters and gas-gas heaters, accord-
ing to a company statement. The con-
tract by Doosan Power Systems India
(DPSI) is for the supply and delivery
of eight Ljungström® Air Preheat-
ers and four Ljungström® Gas-Gas
Heaters for the Obra-C coal-fired
electrical power plant in Sonebhadra
district, and for the Jawaharpur coal-
fired electrical power plant in Etah
district, both in Uttar Pradesh. Both
the power plants, aggregating 2,640
mw of capacity, are based on super-
critical technology. Project execution
will be led by LJUNGSTRÖM’s In-
dia operations, and critical elements
of the equipment will be manufac-
tured in LJUNGSTRÖM’s Chennai
factory.

SPECIAL STORY
runachal Pradesh accounts for
nearly half of India’s total number
statistics indicate.
to note that four other northeastern states—
an electricity connection. There is also a
another Centrally-sponsored scheme called
at least for some hours of the day to
Arunachal Pradesh that is the seat of
A
Photo shows the Katenala village in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh,
very close to the Indo-China border.
A standalone solar street light installed by
Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency.
www.thethirdpole.net
www.caravanmagazine.in

NEW LAUNCHES
Sinacon PV inverter from
Siemens
Siemens India launched with Sinacon PV
a new generation of photovoltaic (PV)
central inverters with an output up to 5,000
kVA. The inverter is part of the Siemens
new electrical Balance of Plant (eBoP)
solution for PV power plant installations. The
Sinacon PV inverter will be locally produced
and manufactured at Siemens’ Kalwa plant
near Mumbai for the domestic market as
well as for export into the region. The Indian
renewable energy sector is the second most
attractive renewable energy market in the
world crossing 14 GW of already installed
its ambition of 100 GW of installed solar
generation by 2022. A solar PV inverter
converts the variable direct current (DC)
output of a photovoltaic solar panel into a
utility frequency alternating current (AC)
that can be fed into a commercial electrical
grid or used by a local, off-grid electrical
network. Siemens also intends to put up a
local assembly of medium voltage inverter
stations. The new Siemens inverters and
medium voltage inverter stations will target
large scale, ground mounted solar PV power
plants, comprising of comprehensive eBoP
solutions.
Solar off-grid MPPT PCU
Eastman Auto and Power Ltd has
announced the launch of ‘State of the
art Solar Off-Grid MPPT PCU’- one of the
most advanced solar off-grid MPPT PCU
in the Indian market. Eastman’s Solar Off-
Grid MPPT PCU consists of a solar charge
controller, inverter, and a grid charger all in
an integrated form. The off-grid solar PCU is
designed to enhance the use of solar power
and uses Main/DG Power only when the
requirements. This unique system offers
three operating modes. Smart Mode (PCU
batteries and third priority to the grid in smart
to solar, second priority to the grid and third
priority to the battery in PCU mode), Hybrid
Mode (PCU works well with solar as well
as batteries. Grid charging only takes place
when solar power is not available and battery
discharges to low-level trip. The solar MPPT
PCU comes in 4 different models—3KVA,
5KVA, 7.5KVA and 10KVA.
NTL Lemnis has added a range of
portfolio, with the launch of “Pharox Flare
40W, 80W, 120W, 160W. These professional
that existed in meeting optimal lighting
The Pharox Flare Plus, in 40W and 80W are
general lights suitable for various functions
like high lighting, area lighting, and indoor
lighting, generally at areas such as airports
and atriums. The 120W and 160W are more
tuned for crane lighting, light towers, etc
and are therefore suited for industrial and
outdoor lighting applications, etc. With four
wattages and three beam spreads to select
powerful luminaires to cater to various
applications. Its robust construction using
aluminium extrusion and a polycarbonate
lens plate makes it a sturdy luminaire for
outdoor applications as well.
Piezo actuators from TDK
TDK Corporation has expanded its portfolio
ofPowerHap™piezoactuatorswithhaptic
feedback with the new miniaturized 2.5G
type, whose dimensions are a compact 9mm
x 9mm x 1.25mm. At the maximum operating
voltage of 60V the new actuator achieves an
acceleration of 2.5 g of a 100 gram mass.
It offers a maximum displacement of 35
µm or a large force of up to 4N. The new
miniature type complements the existing
7G and 15G PowerHap types. With their
dimensions of 12.7mm x 12.7mm x 1.9mm
and 26mm x 26mm x 2.4mm, respectively,
these actuators achieve an acceleration
of 7g and 15g under a load of 100 grams.
They also generate forces of up to 10 N (7G
type) and 20 N (15G type). Both types are
designed for a maximum operating voltage
of 120 V and offer a displacement of up to
65 µm and 200 µm, respectively. Compared
with conventional electromagnetic solutions
such as eccentric rotary motors (ERMs) and
linear resonant actuators (LRAs), PowerHap
actuators feature the highest acceleration
and force, the lowest insertion height and
the fastest response time of <1 ms, all with
an extremely low energy consumption of 1
mJ to 8 mJ, depending on type.
[Information in this section has been

Let us start with Lapp in India. Tell
us about your presence and your
market in this country.
Lapp Group India began its
operations in India in 1996 with
a manufacturing unit in Jigani,
Bengaluru. Having made an
investment of 2.1 million euro, the
Bengaluru unit is the second largest
manufacturing unit of the Lapp
Group. Till date Lapp Group India
has provided about 150,000 km per
year of control, instrumentation,
power and data cables along
with connectors, accessories and
customized plug and play cable
assembly solutions to over 5500
active customers’ pan-India.
Looking at the potential of the
Indian market, Lapp Group India
started its second plant in Pilukedi,
Bhopal in addition to five service
points and five warehouses. This
unit strengthens the company’s base
in the single core wires segment
as well as caters efficiently to the
growing demands in India.
What constitutes your clientele?
Currently, our customers are spread
across different industry segments
such as automation, textile,
automotive, machine tools, oil & gas,
renewableenergy,processindustries,
as well as in the infrastructure and
building sectors. To service them
better, we currently have 23 sales
offices and a strong network of 180
dealers and distributors, a state of
the art laboratory and a fully-fledged
Innovation & Engineering Centre.
We also, provide tailored solutions
for customer-specific applications
and help them meet the industry
challenges.
Do you have any capacity expansion
plans at either of your two
manufacturing plants? Also tell us
about your warehouse at Bhiwandi
in Maharashtra and imports from
JNPT port.
We do have expansion plans in the
future in terms of our manufacturing
capacity. Regarding the warehouse,
Lapp Group India
is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the
Germany-headquartered
Lapp Group. Lapp India
currently provides
about 150,000 km per
year of various cables,
along with connectors,
accessories and
solutions to over
5,000 customers
pan India. We have
Marc Jarrault, in this
exclusive interaction
with T&D India, tracing
Lapp Group’s growth
in India since it began
operations in 1996.
Lapp Group’s biggest
growth driver in India
would be localization,
feels Jarrault.
Localization is our principal
growth driver
— Marc Jarrault, Managing Director,
Lapp Group India Pvt. Ltd.
INTERVIEW FOCUS: CABLES & CONDUCTORS
Inside view of Lapp Group India’s Jigani plant in Bengaluru

from Bhiwandi we have now shifted
to Hinjewadi, Pune. This shift was
primarily to serve our customers
better and faster, in the western
region. Even now we continue to
import via the JNPT port, which we
later ship and stock at our warehouse
in Pune.
India’s solar industry is on a
growth trajectory. Given that Lapp
India has solar cables and other
accessories like connectors, how do
you see the prospects?
Lapp has been a driving force for
innovation in the solar photovoltaic
(PV) industry. For over ten years,
the company has been successfully
developing cabling and connectivity
solutions for photovoltaic systems.
We have regularly brought in
efficiency in transmission with our
intelligent innovations. Since 2012,
Lapp India has catered to over 4 GW
ofgrid-connectedPVprojectswithan
array of highly efficient and reliable
products like PV cables, connectors,
splitters and other accessories. At
present, we cater to about 25 per
cent of the total 13 GW of installed
grid-connected PV base in India.
Our customers can be assured of
our products being manufactured
with the highest quality of raw
materials using the best of the
technology. We provide complete
connectivity solutions with power,
control and data cables across
industries.
We understand that Lapp India
specializes in industrial wires.
Tell us about the major industries
that you cater to and which are the
high-potential industries of these.
In particular, how do you view
the potential from the automation
industry?
Our portfolio includes standard and
highly flexible cables, industrial
connectors and screw technology,
customized system solutions,
automation technology and robotics
solutions for the intelligent factory
of the future, as well as technical
accessories. Some of the key focus
industries include automation,
textile, food & beverages, and
infrastructure industries which
have been witnessing considerable
growth over the last few years.
Industrial Automation has been
a direct beneficiary of the rapid
increase in digitalization, thanks to
the Digital Revolution. Industry 4.0
brings with it the concept of Smart
Factory, making the process more
flexible by integrating the systems,
machines, production and logistics.
In the course of Industry 4.0, the
demands on cable and connection
technology is changing and getting
redefined. Data rates are climbing
with the consistent networking of
company and business processes.
This is a development that demands
high-performance networks. In
future, network cables will no longer
only be used to connect machinery
and within control cabinets, they
will also be laid directly to intelligent
actuators or sensors in the field.
Reliable networking of production
across all levels will only be possible
with a comprehensive cabling and
connection concept. Ethernet cables
in a production environment must be
substantially more robust than LAN
cables in an office environment.
They have to be oil resistant, must
withstand high temperatures and
must also function reliably and
durably in the drag chain.
Thechallengeforthecableindustry
will be to combine the requirements
of flexibility, robustness and the
highest data rates in cables. Also,
Industry 4.0 would require data,
power supply and pneumatics in one
connector which would significantly
reduce the retrofit times of a modular
production plant. In general, the
trend would be towards smaller
and smaller yet also more and more
efficient connectors and cables.
How is ÖLFLEX®, globally the
most renowned brand of Lapp
Group, doing in India?
ÖLFLEX® contributes to about 60
per cent of our total control cable
sales. ÖLFLEX® is a universal cable
used in control applications. Besides
being the first multi core cables
to be manufactured in the world,
OLFLEX® cables are suitable for 3
axis rotation applications and with
very high linear bending stress.
ÖLFLEX® range of FD cables can
resist 8-10 million bending cycles of
operation.
ÖLFLEX® cables are the only
choice when it comes to machine
tool applications as these are oil and
chemical resistant. Out of our total
number of sales in India, we have
a higher demand for the ÖLFLEX®
brand of control cables.
How has GST impacted the wires
and cables business?
Introduction to GST has saved
LAPP GROUP INDIA

INTERVIEW
transportation cost, transaction cost
and administrative cost. It has also
reduced errors, transit damages and
delays. In the operation front, we are
able to save a lot of time, cost and
manpower. Earlier, we were suffering
from non-value-added activities like
stock transfers. By way of GST, we
are able to bill any customer in India
as there is no request for local VAT
billing by the customer. Initially
it required us to stock transfer the
materials to the respective state and
later bill it locally to the customer.
With GST in place it saves us about
50 per cent of our time and effort.
The process is now faster, and we
can reach our customers better.
The revised rate of GST on cable
and wire from 28 per cent to 18 per
cent has further come as a welcome
relief. We will be now able to pass on
the price benefit of reduced GST to
the customers.
In general, how do you see business
prospects for Lapp in India, over
the next, say, five years. What
would you regard as your principal
growth drivers?
For the Lapp Group, India has
always been a key focus, owing to the
promising growth and opportunities
that the country has to offer. Our
vision is to become the preferred
partner for cable and connection
technology for our customers across
all segments of the industry. We at
Lapp Group India aim to double
our current annual turnover to
Rs.1,000 crore by the year 2020.
Our focus will be on segments
like renewable energy, process
industries like steel, power, food
& beverages and automation. We
believe localization is our principal
growth driver. Around 70 per cent
of our supplies are the products
manufactured domestically. We also
have OLFLEX® CONNECT, our
customized cable assembly solution
- from simple cable harness to a
complex drag-chain assembly.
Additionally,oursalesteamsacross
23 sales offices in the country are
equipped with tools to better their
performance and give customized
solutions to customers and by
catering to diverse applications &
cross-sell. With a positive frame and
with developments like these, we
aim to meet our targets and have a
progressive growth.
LAPP GROUP INDIA
Founder of Lapp Group presented
state business medal
DURING a ceremony at the former royal palace in Stuttgart,
Baden-Württemberg economic minister Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-
Kraut awarded the state’s business medal to Ursula Ida Lapp, the
Founder of Lapp Group. The medal represents a tremendous honour
bestowed on an outstanding businesswoman. Among the federal
state’s most prestigious honours, it is awarded only to people who
have made an outstanding contribution to the economy of Baden-
Württemberg.
Together with her husband Oskar Lapp (1921-1987), she
founded the Lapp Group that today employs approximately 3,440
people around the world and has 17 production sites and 40
distribution companies. The company also works in cooperation
with around 100 foreign representatives.
In India, Lapp Group operates through its wholly-owned
subsidiary that started its operations in 1996 and currently has
two manufacturing facilities. Lapp India provides about 150,000
km per year of power, control, instrumentation and data cables
along with connectors, accessories and end-to-end systems.
In 2012, Lapp Group India completed phase one of its second
manufacturing plant in Pilukedi (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh) which
produces more than 216,000 km of single core cables per annum,
catering mainly to the building cable segment. The production area
at Jigani (Bengaluru, Karnataka) was also doubled in 2014 and
a new multi-core line was commissioned in Bhopal with a total
investment of over 5 million Euros.

TECHNICAL INSIGHT
ue to rapid depletion of
conventional fossil fuels,
various resources of
renewable energy are now highly
focused globally. Energy from solar
and wind is contribute major portion
of total Country’s renewable energy
generation. In India, we are having
about 300 sunny days in a year
and therefore harnessing the solar
energy through Photo Voltaic system
becomes one of the preferred green
energy options today.
A historic revolution is being
witnessed by our country with
the Government of India’s highly
ambitious plan – The Jawaharlal
Nehru National Solar mission, to
reach the solar power generation to
100 GW by 2022.[1]
To receive solar energy, number
of Photo Voltaic arrays are required
to be installed facing the Sun and
photon energy in the form of DC
current is carried through SOLAR
CABLES to storage batteries. In our
country electricity in AC form is the
most popularly accepted form, and
therefore using the inverter, the DC
electrical power is then converted to
AC electricity. Solar PV system may
be a stand-alone or a grid connected
system. The hassle-free performance
of a typical solar PV system is
generally expected to be more than
25 years and thereforeoptimization
of all relevant components of solar
PV system becomes necessary.
In PV system, one of the important
parts is the SOLAR CABLEand
are connected on DC side of the
system. Cables used for connecting
individual PV modules in a string
to form a PV generator are called as
stringcablesandallstringsinparallel
are connected to generator junction
box. The main DC cable connects
the generator junction box to the
inverter. The PV energy will be in the
DC form with low voltage and high
current and this results in principle
differences forDC cables. To get the
desired efficiency, selection of proper
sized cable draws major attention
while designing the system, because,
undersized cable results into heating
which may lead further to fire also.
The quality and performance of solar
cable plays very important role for
extracting solar energy with higher
efficiency in PV system. Even a small
increase in cable resistance resulting
into increased I2R losses, considered
as a higher loss of energy and such
cable will lose its acceptance. As
solar cable has to function in open
atmosphere over a long period, it
has to withstand all environmental
severities like UV radiation, rain,
dust and dirt, temperature variations,
humidity, insects and microbes etc.
Any frequent failure / replacement of
solar cable will decrease the overall
project efficiency and therefore
before actual installation, it becomes
necessary to evaluate SOLAR
CABLES to ensure its successful
functionality over a desired life span
through conducting series of tests.
Based on the requirements listed
in manuscript of working group
AK 411.2.3, Leitungen fur PV-
System’ of the German committee
for standardization, the specification
2 Pfg1169/08[2] for solar cable was
published. UL 4703 is one another
specification on Photovoltaic wires
published in USA in 2005. Recently,
British Standards Institution-
BSI has also published BS EN
50618 -2014[3] as specification for
‘Electric Cables for Photovoltaic
Systems’. In this paper, the specific
requirements for Solar cable for PV
systems as per international norms,
its constructional requirements like
flexibility, single core with cross
TECHNICAL INSIGHT
D
Solar Cables for Photovoltaic Systems
FOCUS: CABLES & CONDUCTORS
Fig. 1: Programmable Ozone test chamber
TABLE 1: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF INSULATION / JACKET MATERIAL
Property Solar Cable PVC Type A XLPE
Reference standard EN 50618 IS: 694 IS: 7098-pt. 1
IS: 1554-pt 1
Tensile strength before aging, min. N/mm
2
8.0 12.5 12.5
Elongation at break, min. % 125 150 200
After ageing – Aging temperature;
o
C / duration;hrs 150 / 168 80 / 168 135 / 168
After ageng - % variation in mechanical properties - 30 ± 20 ± 25
Hot set test NA
Test temperature 250 200
Hot set, max.% 100 175
Permanent set; max. % 25 15
Cold bend test Temperature,
o
C - 40 - 15 - 15
Shrinkage of sheath
Temperature;
o
C / Duration; mins. 120 / 60 150 / 15 130 / 60
Shrinkage, max.% 2 4 4
Thermal endurance (temperature index;
o
C corresponding to 20000 hrs)
NA NA
Sheath resistance against acid and alkaline 23
o
C for 168 hrs NA NA

linked insulation & sheath; special
requirements like low smoke,
halogen free,stringent high voltage
withstand capability; environmental
requirements like Ozone resistance,
UV resistance, flammability
requirements etc. are discussed.
Figure 1 shows the programmable
ozone chamber to evaluate ozone
resistance property. Significance
and specific requirements of major
critical tests are also discussed.
SOLAR CABLES : GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Stand-alone / roof top solar PV
systems are of low voltage level,
in general < 100 volts. The grid
connected solar PV systems are of
higher voltage level and due to the
added complexities and considering
safety aspects, are installed at
separate well protected area and
allowed to operate through skilled
persons only.
The voltage drop between PV
arrays to the inverter is one of the
critical parameter for selection of
size of solar cable. The guidelines
for size selection are specified in BS:
7671. As per NEC norms, the overall
voltage drop between PV array and
inverter is allowed < 3% [4]. In order
to maintain this, in addition to cable
size, the most practicable shorter
length of solar cable is preferred.
To suit the variable weather
conditions, the solar cable designed
to meet the temperature range from
-40 o
C to + 90 o
C. The maximum
conductor temperature of 120 o
C
is expected at a maximum ambient
temperature of 90 o
C.
Depending upon its area of
application, solar cable may be
a single conductor with double
insulation, which is generally routed
through a suitable conduit / trunking
system. For better mechanical robust
solution, single conductor with single
wire armoring is used. For main
DC cable between a PV generator
junction box and inverter, multi core
single wire armored cables are used.
The nominal DC voltage of solar
cable is 1.5 kV between conductors as
wellasbetweenconductorandarmor,
which is upto 1.8 kVmaximum.
SOLAR CABLE : CONSTRUCTIONAL
REQUIREMENT
Solar cable should have flexible,
class 5, heavy duty tin coated copper
conductor. The conductor is to be
provided with low smoke, halogen
free cross linked insulation and over-
sheath. In light of its working in open
atmosphere under sun light with UV
radiation, solar cables arecommonly
black in color. Solar cables after
installation, does not experience
frequent flexing or torsion forces and
therefore these two parameters are
not having major requirements. The
insulation & sheath have to perform
at higher temperature range with
additional high mechanical stability,
flame retardant and free of halogens.
Tomeettheserequirements,generally
cross-linked polyolefin copolymers
are preferred.
Compared to PVC type A as per IS:
694 [5] / IS: 1554-part 1 [6] and XLPE
as per IS: 7098-part 1 [8], the EN:
50618 specifies special requirements
for solar cable insulation / jacket
materials. Few of major physical
requirements are listed in Table 1.
Table 1, shows requirement of solar
cable insulation / jacket material
to meet atmospheric temperature
variation. Solar plants are required
to work under extreme weather
conditions – not only for high
temperature, but at low temperature
also. The ageing temperature, hot
set temperature and cold bend
temperatures are therefore stringent
compared to PVC and XLPE
materials. To ensure the expected
performance for 25 years, standard
specifies thermal endurance test,
whichwilldeterminethetemperature
index and it should be> 120o
C.
In Table 2, few more critical
requirements on as a whole cable are
listed out.
Fig. 2 :Programmable weather chamber
TABLE 2 : REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETE CABLE
Property Solar cable LT PVC cable LT XLPE cable
Reference standard EN 50618 IS: 694
IS: 1554-pt 1
IS: 7098-pt. 1
High voltage test on complete cable at
RT
6.5 kV AC /
15 kV DC
3 kV AC /
7.2 kV DC
3 kV AC /
7.2 kV DC
Long term DC high voltage
Temperature; o
C / duration; hrs
DC voltage; kV
85 / 240
1.8
60 / 240
1.2
NA
Sheath surface resistance >109
ohms NA NA
Ozone Resistance No crack NA NA
Weathering / UV resistance 720 hr
(360 cycles)
NA NA
Dynamic penetration Test force
>Fmin
NA NA
Damp heat test 90 o
C + 85 % RH for
1000 hrs
NA NA
Smoke emission of complete cable as per
IEC 61034-2
- Light transmission, min. 60 %
Under
consideration
Under
consideration
Assessment of helogens for ALL non-metallic materials pH & Conductivity
Chlorine &Bromin
Fluorine
HCl content HCl content
TECHNICAL INSIGHT

In view to its application in open
atmosphere, solar cable has to
confirm its resistance to weathering
/ UV exposure.Figure 2 shows the
programmable weather chamber to
evaluate this parameter.
Dynamic penetration test will
prove the solar cable for mechanical
load. A long duration damp heat test
gives idea of stability of solar cable
material against any degradation
in mechanical properties due to
temperature and humidity. Smoke
emission tests expects min. 60%
light transmission, in case solar
cable is under fire. Figure 3 shows
the Smoke emission test set up to
evaluate this property.
As solar cables are connected in
vicinity of solar PV arrays, control
panels, electronic controllers,
inverters etc., amount of HCl
content, pH & conductivity, content
of bromine & fluorine requires to
be controlled to meet the specified
limit.
CONCLUSIONS
Solar cables of different sizes and
construction designs are available to
meet the efficiency requirements of
solar PV systems. The international
standard EN 50618 specifies the
performance requirement of solar
cables. It is necessary to evaluate
solar cables before actual installation
to ensure its desired life span of 25
years.
REFERENCES
1. Future Energy magazine, Vol. 07,
No. 04
2. 2 Pfg1169/08.2007, ‘Requirements
for cables for use in photovoltaic
systems’
3. BS EN 50618 : 2014, ‘Electric
Cables for Photovoltaic systems’
4. John Wiles et al. ‘Photovoltaic
power systems and the National
Electrical Code – suggested
practices’ SAND 2001-0674
manual.
5. IS: 694-2010, ‘PVC insulated un
sheathed / sheathed Cables’
6. IS: 1554-part 1 – 1988, ‘PVC
insulated heavy duty electric
cables’
7. IS: 5831-1984, ‘PVC insulation &
sheath for electric cables’
8. IS: 7098-part 1- 1988, ‘XLPE
insulated thermoplastic sheathed
cables.
Fig. 3 : Smoke emission test set up
This article is jointly authored by Shailesh B.
Patel and Sheetal Panchal, both from Electrical
Development & Research Association (ERDA),
Makarpura, Vadodara 390010, Gujarat.
(Images appearing in this article show
testing facilities of ERDA.)

CASE STUDY
acing growing demand
in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley in Southern Texas,
American Electric Power (AEP)
faced a significant challenge. AEP
considered several options which
included building new parallel
lines, replacing existing structures
with new heavier duty structures
which would allow them to install
larger, heavier conventional ACSR
conductors, or utilize new composite
core conductors that offer higher
capacity with improved thermal sag
performance.
Invarconductorwasnotconsidered
due to its high magnetic hysteresis
losses and 3M’s ACCR conductor
was not considered due to its high
cost and limited flexibility which
is of concern, especially during
installation. GAP conductor was
also set aside as an option due to its
installation difficulties, inability to
splice, and repair concerns.
Though able to carry higher
current at higher temperatures,
ACSS was also ruled out as its
sag performance varies very little
compared to the existing ACSR
conductor. Higher temperatures
create excessive thermal sag and
in this case AEP elected to utilize
the existing structures to expedite
project completion, minimize
environmental impact and keep
project costs low.
AEP selected the ACCC®
conductor as it offered the best
performance at the lowest cost. The
project was also located near the
Texas Gulf Coast which exposes
them to frequent hurricanes, storm
surges, and corrosive salt spray air,
all of which the ACCC conductor
is highly resistant to. (In 2013, the
ACCC conductor survived a direct
strike from an EF4 / EF-5 Tornado in
Moore, Oklahoma, US).
The two existing 193-km parallel
circuits had Drake size ACCC
conductor in a vertical, double-
bundled configuration. The lines
were initially installed in the late
1950s. While a few structures had
to be reinforced due to corrosion
damage, this was very limited.
However, due to the substantial
load, size of the project and limited
outage windows, AEP elected to
reconductor the parallel circuits
while the line remained energized.
AEP called upon Quanta
Energized Services that has
developed very safe and effective
procedures to accomplish this, using
live-line techniques and a robotic
lift mechanism. They also installed
temporary wood poles that allowed
them to run a 4th phase conductor.
They used the 4th phase conductor
(double bundled) which allowed
them to simply run current while
each of the actual three phases was
manually replaced.
As the project progressed, lessons
learned on the job allowed them to
fine tune procedures which further
improved safety and productivity.
This resulted in project completion
eight months ahead of schedule. The
project was performed section by
section in segments of approximately
40 km.
While the ACCC Drake size
conductor selected for the project is
thesamediameterastheACSRDrake
size conductor it replaced, the ACCC
conductor’s lighter composite core
allows the incorporation of 28 per
cent more aluminum using compact
trapezoidal shaped strands. While
F
and reliability of two 193-ckm of an existing 345kV ACSR corridor using CTC Global’s high-

the low coefficient of thermal
expansion of the carbon fiber
core mitigates thermal sag,
the added aluminum content
serves to lower electrical
resistance, which, in this case,
reduced line losses by 30 per
cent compared to the ACSR
conductor under equal load
conditions. The new lines
are rated for around 3,300
amps, but the load factor is a
relatively low 34 per cent as
the summer and winter peak
loads are high while the spring and
fall seasons the demand lessens.
In spite of the low load factor, AEP
is currently saving about 300,000
MWh of electricity per year due to
the ACCC conductor’s improved
efficiency. Based on the combined
sources of generation in Texas, this
translates into a CO2
reduction of
over 200,000 metric tons per year
which, in the US, is the equivalent of
removing 34,000 cars from the road.
With wholesale electricity prices in
Texas at around $120 per MWh, that
represents a savings of around $36
million per year. Considering this
factor alone means that the payback
time to upgrade to ACCC from ACSR
can be measured in months, or in
this case, weeks. Another advantage
is that line loss reductions offered by
the ACCC conductor also freed up 28
mw of generation capacity, which is
not insignificant. American Electric
Power received the EEI Edison
Award for best global project
in 2016 which also marked the
largest live line reconductor
project to date.
While AEP has completed
over a dozen projects using
ACCC conductor in the US, to
date there have been over 550
projects completed worldwide
with about 70 projects ongoing
or completed in India so far.
With India’s mandate to
deliver more power to more
customerswhileimprovingefficiency
to reduce technical line losses, this
technology is quickly becoming
ubiquitous. Apar Industries and
Sterlite are currently authorized
to produce and deliver ACCC®
conductor in India.
For more information on CTC
Global’s ACCC conductor, visit
www.ctcglobal.com or write to Dave
Bryant, Director - Technology, CTC
Global, on dbryant@ctcglobal.com

INDUSTRY MONITOR
n terms of number of
manufacturers and consumers,
the low-voltage cable segment
is the largest in the electrical cable
industry. Also known as the building
wire industry, this segment refers to
cables that have low voltage rating,
usually 1.1kV. The estimated market
size of the building wire segment
is around Rs.12,000 crore and the
current growth rate is in the region
of 8-9 per cent. Real estate is of
course the biggest demand driver
for this industry.
Though building wires are closest
to human lives—be it in homes,
offices or establishments—the
segment is highly unregulated.
Simply due to the sheer size of the
building wire industry and due to
limited entry barriers, the segment
is crowded with a large number of
players in the unorganized sector.
Reputed manufacturers are well
versed with the huge demand but
cannot penetrate the remote markets
as they just cannot compete with the
local players on the price front.
The reason why local brands
continue to flourish is that they
have a market. Consumers continue
to buy local substandard brands
either willfully—to save on the cost
front—or unknowingly. When it
comes to real estate projects, home
wiring is something that comes with
the house. Consumers are not even
aware of what wires have gone in
their homes. Unfortunately, a critical
aspectlikeelectricalwiresisnowhere
on the priority list and ironically,
something like the kitchen platform
top could merit more attention and
detail. When new homes are built or
re-wiring is done, the choice of wires
is usually left to the electrician or the
contractor. Even here, the electrician
might go in for cheap brands and
still charge the customer based on
the prices of reputed branded wires.
Low-voltage cables made by
reputed manufacturers could be up
to 50 per cent cheaper than local
brands. Products made by marginal
players in the unorganized sector
obviously use inferior material—be
it copper or the PVC insulation.
The copper used is not oxygen-free,
which results in poor conductivity.
Worse is that the insulation is made
from cheap polymer, which can pose
a grave hazard to human lives in case
ofaccidentalfire.Studieshaveshown
casualties during a short-circuit
induced fire are not because of the
fire per se but due to the toxic fumes
emanated during the burning of the
insulation material. Flame retardant
cables of the highest quality are
produced only by organized sector
players but they come at a price.
Unorganized players simply cannot
afford to produce quality material at
prices that they offer.
It is encouraging to note that over
the past decade, home owners and
real estate developers are getting
increasingly conscious of the safety
elementofbuildingwires.Aggressive
awareness campaigns launched
by reputed manufacturers and
trade associations are responsible
for this change in mindset. In
an interaction with T&D India,
Amol Kalsekar, Chief Manager –
Building Wire, International Copper
Association India (ICAI) said that
ICAI does promotion of high quality
wire products through training
programmes on safe electrical
installation practices for both
electricians and contractors. “We
also conduct series of seminars and
workshops for electrical consultants
and government department
electrical engineers that highlight
latest provisions/revisions in Indian
standards and regulations, wherein
use of good quality wire and other
electrical accessories is the primary
message we convey.”
It is worth mentioning that the
government is also a big consumer
of building wires, which is why
organizations like ICAI also work
with related government agencies
like Public Works Departments,
CPWD, Military Engineering
Services, Railway Engineering
Services, housing boards, etc. to
align their specifications to those
prescribed in the National Electrical
Code (NEC) and the National
Building Code of India (NBC). “This
contributes to promoting wiring
products of good quality,” observed
Kalsekar.
It is estimated that in the four
metropolitan and tier-1 cities,
organized sector players have a
market share of 90 per cent in the
building wire segment. However,
when one moves to tier-II and tier-
I
Improving quality and safety awareness in LV cables

III cities, this share drops
sharply to 30 per cent. At a
national level, the share of
unorganized sector players is
around 40 per cent.
This is precisely why
awareness campaigns by
industry bodies like ICAI
are targeted to tier-2 and
tier-3 cities, notes Kalsekar.
The biggest market for local wire
manufacturers is circumscribed
by tier-3 cities, towns and villages.
However, even here, the trend is
slowly but surely shifting towards
nationalbrandslikePolycab,Finolex,
KEI, etc, Kalsekar explained.
“Some credit remains with us (ICA
India) for shifting focus of decision
makers to go for quality products
rather than going for cheaper
options, but still lot of awareness is
required in this segment,” was how
Kalsekar put it.
Finally, it all boils down to lack
of awareness and the absence of
“immediate impact”. Electricians
can easily compromise on quality
because it helps them tender an
“affordable” and “reasonable”
estimate to the property owners.
Most importantly, the ill effects of
using an inferior electrical cable
are not felt immediately. For the
property owner, the use of an inferior
or superior cable makes no visible
difference.
Generally speaking, the Indian
consumer is low on technical
awareness, especially for products
as commoditized as wires. What
is recommended by the dealer or
the electrician is generally
accepted, and the dealers and
electricians in turn promote
those products with which
they get greater financial
incentives, rather than on the
basis of safety and quality.
Thanks to the Centrally-
sponsored Saubhagya scheme
that envisages complete
household electrification of all rural
and urban households by March 31,
2019, the demand for low-voltage
wires will go up even in towns and
villages. It is therefore of utmost
importance that all stakeholders
involved ensure that safety and
efficiency take precedence over
cost. Only this can ensure the usage
of high-quality wires. Some industry
players are optimistic about the
graduallooseningofthegripoffringe
players. In the coming 5-7 years, the
market share of unorganized sector
is set to fall to 10-15 per cent, even
at the national level.

T&D NEWS
terlite Power has won a power
transmission concession
worth $800 million in Brazil,
it said in a statement. The 1,800-km
long project was won in a reverse
auction tender with State Grid of
China, Engie Elecnor and Power
Grid Corporation of India being
contenders. This is the third power
transmission project of Sterlite
Power in Brazil.
Sterlite’s bid had a discount of
35.72 per cent over the proposed
maximum annual revenue and
was one of the lowest discounts of
the auction, which had an average
discount of 40.46 per cent, the
statement added. The project will
be executed in the north of Brazil, in
Pará and Tocantins.
The project will be part of the
North-Southeast and North-
Northeast interconnections. It is
critical for the power evacuation
from Belo Monte Hydroelectric
Power Plant, the third-largest
hydropower plant in the world. The
transmission project will increase
the reliability of the system in the
northern region of Brazil and has
the potential to create more than
5,500 direct jobs, according to the
National Electric Energy Agency
(ANEEL), the company said.
With this third project, Sterlite’s
investment in Brazil has crossed
over a $1 billion, the largest ever
by an Indian company in Latin
America. The company has set up a
local team with a couple of advisors
such as Charles Putz, partner of Rio
Bravo Investimentos and former
chief financial officer of Telefónica
and CSN, and José Luiz Alquerez,
former chief executive officer and
chairman of Eletrobras.
T&D India in October this year
had reported that the Brazilian
power transmission market was
attracting Indian companies,
including Central transmission
utility Power Grid Corporation of
India. China is also a big investor
in Brazil’s power sector—not just
power transmission but also power
generation.
S
Discoms turn major
buyers of RECs on IEX
A total of 32.39 lakh non-solar RECstotal of 32.39 lakh non-solar RECs
were traded in the REC trading session
held on December 27, 2017 on Indian
Energy Exchange (IEX). This is the
highest ever trade of non solar REC in a
session, a release from IEX noted.
With the Union ministries of new
& renewable energy, and power
proactively pursuing RPO enforcement,
the distribution companies emerged as
major buyers in this trading session.
The trade in this session saw an
increase of 71 per cent over November
2017 when around 18.90 lakh non-solar
RECs were traded.
December) of FY18, IEX traded 66.77
lakh non-solar RECs, which was over
four times the 15.78 lakh non-solar
RECs traded in the same period of
FY17.
Overall, a total of 3,554 participants
are registered in the REC segment at
IEX. Of these around 1,816 are obligated
entities, including discoms, open access
consumers and captive generators.
Sterlite Power wins third concession in Brazil
chneider Electric recently
launched its digital architecture,
EcoStruxure Grid in Hyderabad. The
architecture is an open IoT-enabled
framework for digital transformation
of distribution utilities and utilises
disruptive technology to generate
higher efficiency. EcoStruxure
leverages the IT/OT convergence,
ensuring higher efficiency in
grid operations, enabling overall
digital transformation and optimal
asset management, a release from
Schneider Electric said.
While Telangana is striving to
become power surplus, the newly
formed state is witnessing strong
demand from agriculture, domestic
and industrial sectors and the metro
city of Hyderabad. The overall
energy requirement in the state is
set to see a quantum jump.
Grid modernisation addresses
reliability and resilience of aging
infrastructure, as well as the
flexibility to accommodate a growing
presence of Distributed Energy
Resources (DER) connected to the
grid. Schneider Electric future-
ready grid management solutions,
helping players in the energy sector
bring innovation to every level of
business, the release noted.
Schneider Electric is currently
working with various state discoms
to provide digital technologies as
well as modernisation solutions for
the grid.
Last year, the company
commissioned a SCADA-DMS
project for the Bihar Power
Distribution Company that helped
thestateutilityreduceitsoverallcosts
by curbing power theft and losses,
reduce unscheduled downtimes,
improve customer usage mapping,
detecting faults at a faster pace, and
gaining capabilities to scale up to
meet increasing power demand, the
release added.
Schneider Electric launches
EcoStruxure Grid in Hyderabad
Schneider Electric launches
EcoStruxure Grid in Hyderabad. The
architecture is an open IoT-enabled
framework for digital transformation
of distribution utilities and utilises
disruptive technology to generate
higher efficiency. EcoStruxure
leverages the IT/OT convergence,
ensuring higher efficiency in
grid operations, enabling overall
digital transformation and optimal
asset management, a release from
Schneider Electric said.
While Telangana is striving to
become power surplus, the newly
formed state is witnessing strong
demand from agriculture, domestic
and industrial sectors and the metro
city of Hyderabad. The overall
energy requirement in the state is
set to see a quantum jump.
reliability and resilience of aging
infrastructure, as well as the
EcoStruxure Grid in Hyderabad
S

Power Equipment
harat Heavy Electricals Ltd has won the
fourth successive order placed by Tamil Nadu
power utility Tangedco for supercritical power
generation equipment.
With an estimated value of over Rs.7,300 crore, the
EPC order involves setting up of the 2x660-mw Udangadi
supercritical power project in Tamil Nadu.
Tangedco (Tamil Nadu
Generation & Distribution
Corporation Ltd) is setting
up the 1,320-mw coal-fired
power plant at Tiruchendur
taluka in Tuticorin district of
the southern state. BHEL’s
scope of works in the contract covers design, engineering,
manufacture, supply, erection, commissioning and civil
works for the entire plant including sea water intake and
outfall systems.
Over the past three years, Tangedco has finalized four
orders for supercritical power generation equipment and
BHEL has won all of them. The previous three orders
relate to the Ennore SEZ power plant (2x660-mw), North
Chennai thermal power plant-Stage III (1x800-mw) and
the Uppur project (2x800-mw).
For the Udangudi project, key equipment will be
manufactured at BHEL’s Trichy, Haridwar, Bhopal,
Ranipet, Hyderabad, Jhansi, Thirumayam and
Bengaluru plants while the company’s Power Sector -
Southern Region shall be responsible for civil works,
erection and commissioning of the equipment.
As of mid-December2017, BHEL had an order book
(including completed orders) of 50 sets of supercritical
boilers and 43 sets of supercritical turbines, placed by
a variety of clientele—Central, state and private power
utilities.
A decade of delay
The Udangudi power project has been in the making
since 2007. It was originally to come up as a joint venture
between Tangedco (74 per cent) and BHEL (26 per cent).
BHEL was to be the deemed EPC contractor for the project.
Due to alleged delays in mobilizing the project, Tangedco
decided to scrap the JV and implement the project on its
own. BHEL, officially exited the joint venture (Udangudi
Power Corporation Ltd) in April 2013 and Tangedco
subsequently floated tenders for the project. BHEL and a
Chinese consortium (Trishe-CSCEPDI) were in the final
fray. The project was awarded to BHEL but the Chinese
consortium moved court, seeking fair assessment of
bids. In June 2015, the Madras High Court scrapped
the tendering process; bids, on international competitive
bidding basis, were sought afresh. BHEL emerged
successful; there were no Chinese bidders, it is reliably
learnt, as the tender had specified a condition that bidders
needed to have local manufacturing facilities, or would
be setting up the same within a stipulated time frame.n
Power Equipment
B
BHEL commissions second
unit at Tuirial HEP
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has successfully commissioned
the second unit of the 2x30-mw Tuirial hydropower project
in Mizoram, within less than 100 days from commissioning
the first. Located in Kolasib district of Mizoram, the greenfield
project of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd
(NEEPCO) has been set up on the river Tuirial.
The order for electrical mechanical works for two
units of 30-mw each was placed on BHEL by NEEPCO, for
design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning
of two 30-mw vertical shaft Francis turbines and matching
generators, transformers and switchyard.
NEEPCO’s entire installed hydropower capacity of 785 mw
has been supplied and commissioned by BHEL, a statement by
the PSU engineering firm observed. The other hydro project of
NEEPCO currently under execution by BHEL is the 4x150-mw
Kameng HEP in Arunachal Pradesh.
BHEL wins fourth straight supercritical order from Tangedco

FACT FILE
TD India January-February 201832
Energy conservation by Indian Railways
he Indian Railways is
estimated to consume 2 per
cent of the entire electricity
generated in the country. With a view
to lowering its energy consumption
and its carbon footprint, the Indian
Railways is taking a number of
steps that includes induction of
energy-efficient equipment and
increasing adoption of renewable
energy sources. Presented below is
a summary of such initiatives.
ELECTRIFICATION OF RAILWAY TRACKS
The Indian Railways has planned
to electrify 33,000 route km (rkm)
by 2021-22 with a view to achieving
100 per cent railway electrification.
Currently, around 40 per cent of
the total network of 67,000 rkm is
electrified though it carries 55 per
cent passenger traffic and 65 per
cent of freight traffic, at only about
35 per cent of the total fuel bill of the
Indian Railways.
Once the entire network is
electrified, there will be a reduction
in the annual energy bill from the
current Rs.26,500 crore to about
Rs.16,000 crore, Indian Railways has
estimated. It is worth mentioning
that Central PSU Power Grid
Corporation of India is also actively
involved in railway electrification,
supporting the activities of railway
PSUs like Rites (India) and Ircon
International.
OPEN ACCESS
Indian Railway have started
procuring power through ‘Open
Access’ and in FY18, the electric
traction bill is likely to reduce by 25
per cent when compared with the
bill of FY15.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Indian Railways has planned to set
up about 1000 mw solar and about
200 mw wind power plants by 2020-
21 across its various railway zones
and production units. So far, more
than 60 mw of solar and wind power
plants have been installed covering
270 railway stations and 120
administrative buildings (including
hospitals). Orders for about 150 mw
of further projects have been placed.
Indian Railways is also working
towardssettingup400mwofcapacity
through various other agencies
to source energy in various states
through land based solar plants.
The RESCO (renewable energy
service company) model is also
being adopted by Indian Railways
for rooftop solar plants, under PPP
mode. In this model, Indian Railways
will be procuring electricity at lower
rates and that too without any capital
investment. About 150 mw of solar
plants have been ordered till date,
under this model.
HIGH HP LOCOMOTIVES
Indian Railway is also on the path
of development of high speed
passenger locomotives with speed
potential of 200 kmph. Works on
high speed locomotive is going
on full steam and is expected to
be turned out by Chittaranjan
Locomotive Works (CLW) in March
2018. In addition, Indian Railways is
planningtoacquirehighhorsepower
(9000HP) passenger locomotive
capable of hauling trains at 200 kmh
on routes identified for semi-high
speed operation (160-200 kmph). It
is planned to upgrade the existing
6000HP freight and passenger locos
to 9000HP to improve the hauling
speeds for freight trains and number
of coaches for passenger trains. It’s
a ‘Make in India’ initiative already
started at CLW.
HEAD-ON GENERATION
Indian Railways has introduced
HOG system wherein the lighting,
air-conditioning and other electrical
loads of passenger coaches would be
feddirectlyfromelectricpowerdrawn
by locomotive from grid. This system
will do away with the requirement of
diesel power car for feeding electric
supply to coaches and also enable
in carrying additional passengers.
Currently, 34 trains are running on
HOG system, yielding a saving of
Rs.87 crore per year. Additionally 64
trains will be taken on HOG system
in the current fiscal year.
ELECTRICAL MULTIPLE UNITS
All new EMUs produced will
be energy efficient with three-phase
technology having regeneration
capability. Working on multi
prolonged strategies to reduce
this energy consumption India
Railways are now inducting
only 3-phase energy efficient
regenerative locomotives and EMUs
from 2016-17.
T

T
he National Solar Mission
(NSM) announced in
January 2010 laid emphasis
on the solar manufacturing
space, apart from envisaging
national grid-connected solar
capacity of 20 GW by 2020, which
was subsequently revised to 100 GW
by 2022. The stated objective of the
mission was “to create favourable
conditions for developing solar
manufacturing capacity in the
country.”
When the NSM was announced,
India had but a few megawatts of
grid-tied solar capacity. Though the
capacity today has reached nearly
16 GW, not much was achieved in all
these years in terms of development
ofindigenoussolarpowerequipment,
mainly solar photovoltaic cells and
modules.
In this reckoning, it is worthwhile
to mention that in December 2017,
the Union ministry for new and
renewable energy (MNRE) floated
a concept note as a precursor to
launching a scheme to promote
domestic capacity and competency
across the solar photovoltaic
equipment manufacturing value
chain from polysilicon to wafers/
ingotstosolarcellsandfinallytosolar
modules. The policy’s objectives are
noble. It is aligned to the “Make in
India” philosophy and ultimately
seeks to make India’s PV equipment
globally competitive. It also seeks to
insulate India from vagaries in the
international market, on which it is
currently highly dependent. Besides,
the policy can also be leveraged to
create skilled jobs and to achieve
domestic self-sufficiency.
In its concept note, MNRE has
proposed a bouquet of subsidies
and incentives that includes fiscal
support of over Rs.11,000 crore
for manufacturers to expand and
upgrade their capacities. It has
also proposed Central financial
assistance, cheaper loans, customs
duty exemptions, etc.
In a related development,
nodal agency Solar Energy
Corporation of India (SECI) has
invited expressions of interest from
prospective manufacturers to set
up an integrated manufacturing
facility in India within a three-
year timeframe. The total capacity
envisaged in 20 GW per year. What
is more significant is that selected
manufacturers will be given assured
LEAD STORY
Solar power to get manufacturing boost
Manufacture of silicon wafers
Stringing of solar cells into modules

solar projects to be developed by
them in a phased manner. This will
ensure that manufacturers get an
assured market for their equipment.
Manufacturers planning to
participate must be willing to set up
vertically integrated solar PV module
manufacturing facility in India
that would include ingots, wafers,
cells, and modules. Prospective
manufacturers will be allowed to
form joint ventures/consortiums
with other entities. The scheme
even accords eligibility to existing
manufacturers of solar cells and
modules that are willing to set up
integrated facilities.
The two schemes, in conjunction,
several present inadequacies in the
solar PV manufacturing space.
CURRENT SCENARIO
India’s solar power ambitions
have heavily relied on imported
equipment – solar cells and modules.
In fact, cost-effective imports from
countries like China and Taiwan
have also resulted in aggressive
bidding by solar developers and, in
turn, in a steep fall in solar tariffs. In
the entire value chain: polysilicon-
ingot/wafer-solar cell-solar module,
India has capacity only with respect
to solar cells and solar modules.
According to government
estimates, India had a total solar cell
manufacturing capacity of 3,164 mw
per year, as of May 31, 2017. Out of
this, around 1,667 mw (or just over
half) was operational. In terms of
solar modules, total capacity was
8,398 mw out of which only 5,507 mw
was in operation. The reason why
this capacity is not being utilized is
because the technology is obsolete
and the equipment is not cost
effective. Solar cells made in India
are largely based on conventional
multi-crystalline aluminium-back
surface field technology, which
has limitations on efficiency. Very
few players have ventured into the
passivated emitter rear cell (PERC)
technology which is much superior.
Even if we consider solar cells
manufacturing capacity of 3 GW, it
is far lower than India’s requirement
of around 20 GW per year. Domestic
sufficiency (even discounting the
technology aspect) of just 15 per
cent is unhealthy. “Energy security
demands that at least 60-70 per
cent of the manufacturing capacity
should be located in the country,”
the concept note by MNRE notes.
The biggest challenge in the Indian
solarPVmanufacturingindustryisthe
absence of capacity in the upstream
products – polysilicon and silicon
wafers/ingots. These are extremely
energy-intensive processes and the
relatively high electricity tariffs are
understood to be a big deterrent.
Even interest rates in India are much
higher compared with countries
like China, which today has nearly
75 per cent of the world’s solar cell
manufacturing capacity. Industry
observers point out that getting bank
credit in India for an area like solar
cell manufacturing is difficult. Even
if one procures finances, the lending
rates are extremely high. On the
other hand, in a country like China,
bank credit is easier to obtain and is
also cheap. This is because much of
the banking sector is government-
owned.
ASSURED MARKET FOR DOMESTIC
MANUFACTURERS
Right from the launch of the National
Solar Mission, the government
January-February 201835TD India
The year 2017 was very
eventful for the Indian solar
industry. Solar tariffs touched
an all-time low and there was a
record addition of 8 GW of grid-
connected capacity. Though
the solar rooftop programme
did not see much traction,
the government announced
a package to incentivize
discoms in speeding rooftop
installations. The highlight of
solar-related policies in 2017
was the 20GW push that was
offered to domestic solar power
equipment manufacturers.
Venugopal Pillai, in this special
story, delves into the subject
of domestic competency in
manufacture of solar power
equipment.
Solar cells

was supportive of the domestic
solar manufacturing industry. This
support was extended in the form of
a “Domestic Content Requirement
(DCR)” policy that mandated that a
certain proportion of solar capacity to
be built in India would be based on
domestic equipment. However the
DCR policy could not gain traction
due to a World Trade Organization
(WTO). It may be recalled that in
September 2016, the Appellate Body
of WTO upheld an earlier ruling to
disallow DCR in solar projects. The
dispute had arisen from a complaint
lodged by USA against India.
Currently, around 1,436 mw of
solar power capacity has been
commissioned under DCR under
various schemes of MNRE. Another
1,000 mw or so is under construction.
The WTO ruling impacted around
850 mw of solar capacity that was
planned or in tendering stage, under
the viability gap funding (VGF)
scheme.
It should be appreciated that
WTO ruling is applicable to private
projects and that DCR will be allowed
for government-owned projects. In
the past, a CPSU scheme had seen
1,000 mw of solar power generation
capacity using domestic solar
equipment. Apart from this, there
is only a “Defence Scheme” with
a modest target of 300 mw where
the DCR norm could be applied.
With this in mind, the concept note
of MNRE has planned a CPSU
(Central Public Sector Unit) scheme
with a target of 12,000 mw where
the DCR norm could be applied.
This will give an assured market
for domestic manufacturers. Apart
from this, the DCR norms would
also be progressively reviewed with
the objective of ensuring greater
domestic content even of upstream
products like polysilicon and silicon
wafers/ingots, and not just solar cells
and modules.
CONCLUSION
These two major developments –
the concept note by MNRE and the
expressions of interest from SECI –
are very significant in creating the
necessary environment to develop
solarmanufacturingcapacityinIndia.
However laudable the intentions
be, there are some limitations that
one must take cognizance of. In the
first week of December 2017, TD
India interacted with various solar
experts at the InterSolar 2017 event
in Mumbai. This interaction brought
fresh insight into to the subject of
domestic manufacturing of solar PV
equipment. Experts feel that even if
India were to take large strides in the
manufacturing space, it will not be
able to compete with China, at least
in terms of price, as that country
enjoys tremendous economies of
scale. India’s technology is obsolete
and RD in the solar equipment
space is not too much of a dedicated
activity. Leading global suppliers,
like China and USA, have invested
in creating manufacturing capacities
and in RD activities. It may not be
surprising that solar cell efficiencies
that are in the range of 15-20 per cent
could see a significant jump, thanks
to the emergence of disruptive
technologies.
India can definitely embark on an
integrated domestic manufacturing
programme—right from silica to
solar module. However, Indian
equipment will need the support of
the government in ensuring offtake
of equipment. This is reminiscent of
not so long ago when solar power,
in general, was dependent on
government support as the cost of
generation was many times that of
conventional power.
By creating an integrated
manufacturing base for solar
photovoltaic equipment, ranging
from polysilicon to solar PV modules,
India will definitely establish
its competence and a national
objective of self-sufficiency will be
established, in principle. However,
how competitive the domestic
solar equipment industry will be in
the highly matured global market
remains to be seen.
Experts even feel that while the
solarmanufacturingobjectiveshould
be engendered, and also developed
with full sincerity, attention must
also be paid to giving India the
early-mover advantage to emerging
industries like electric vehicles,
energy storage and blockchain
management. Given India’s prowess
in computer software, taking the lead
in making blockchain technology
more cost-effective, for instance,
could be among the various options
on hand.
LEAD STORY
Concept note could bring focus
on manufacturing
— Ashish Khanna, Executive Director CEO, Tata Power Solar Ltd
“The concept note shared by MNRE, if implemented, will be good news for the Indian solar
sector as it will bring focus on manufacturing sector along with technology incentivisation via
‘Technology Upgradation Fund’. The said proposal not only aims to help Indian solar sector be
independent of imports, but also allows it to grow and aspire to be globally competitive. Since
it will incentivize domestic solar manufacturing sector in India through provision of long term
demand visibility for domestic solar products, it will in turn enable the solar manufacturing
sector to reach its true potential. These policy interventions also attract huge investment in the
photovoltaics industry.Solar industry in short and long term perspective has the potential to
country’s long-term growth and power security that we also build strong capabilities in these
initial stages of deployment. Focusing on imports to add solar power generation is not sustain-
able and hence should be balanced by way of encouraging indigenous solar manufacturers.
The concept note syncs with ‘Make in India’ initiative and draws up a roadmap for the de-
velopment of a mature and balanced solar energy sector with adequate thrust on the upstream
manufacturing sector in the country.”

DT Copper Ltd is India’s most
advanced and environment
friendly ETP copper rods producer,
using Southwire Technology from USA. TDT
plant is located at Bawal Cluster, Haryana, in
NCR region of India with installed capacity of
79,200 MTPA.Location of our plant is at the
heart of Northern India’s industrialactivities,
perhaps only plant for ETP grade copper
rods in this belt.
TDT was set up in India as 100% FDI by
Tahian Electric of Korea and Toyota Tsusho
of Japan. The Company was later taken over
in 2009 by the Ladha Group, professionals
with long standing experience of over four
decades in the copper industry. TDT under
the new leadership of the Managing Director,
Mr. Avinash Ladha, with his entrepreneurial
acumen and vision, and ably supported by
histeamofprofessionals,havesincereached
new heights. TDT hasbeen successful in
evolving their business model as per market
conditions to ensure that the company’s
EXPANSION
TDT Copper has since expanded into
manufacturing Oxygen Free Copper Rods
and Drawn Copper Wiresand is presently the
third largest manufacturer of Copper Rods
Wires in India. TDT plant complies with
all the stringent environmental, safety and
quality standards. It is also the only copper
producing company exempt by the Pollution
Control Board and hence has no risk of
disruptions due to India’s commitments to
achieve global environmental standards.
TDTisanISO9001:2008,ISO14001:2004
OPPORTUNITY
TDT is an established brand and offers widest
range of ETP CC Copper Rods of diameter 8
mm, 9.5 mm, 11 mm, 12.5 mm, 16 mm and
19.6 mm of international quality, conforming
to ASTM B49 standards. Stringent norms are
followed for the quality check during online
TDT Copper Rods are primarily used
by OEMs in power, electrical, telecom,
automotive, railway and electronic sectors.
High quality conscious consumers
manufacturingultrathinenamelledwireshave
successfully indigenised their requirements
and have reduced their dependence on
imports due to TDTs comparableand
consistent quality.
In addition to the domestic supply TDT
also exports their ETP Rods to several
countries round the world.
Considering the current market size of CC
Copper Rods in India vis-a-vis the availability,
and theprojected annual growth of copper
consumption at 7-8% in the coming years,
there is a huge opportunity for TDT as India
is fast becoming an emerging market for
quality products. The growth sectors are
largely going to be power and electrical with
focus on transformers and alternate energy
segments (both solar and wind energy)as
well as electric vehicles segment.
India is on the verge of becoming an
emerging power nation among developing
economies. The availability of electricity
is directly linked to the GDP growth of
developing economies. Growth of the
Indian electrical industrylargely depends on
government policies which is already under
major shift with increased focus on the rural
cities. The transformers sector is expected
to play a major role in this transformation.
TDT’S FOCUS
Energetic vision of the MD, Mr Avinash
Ladha: With Indian economy projected to
development of smart cities,
the copper consumption in
power sector will be near to
double digits. It means big
opportunityfor allof us.
OUR VISION
1) Double the business in 3-4 years’ time.
2) Taking customer satisfaction to new
heights with 360degrees views of
satisfaction parameters.
3) Study emerging products and our
customers’ technological trends
andthen develop products through RD
accordingly.
FUTURE TEAM AND SUSTAINABLE
BUSINESS MODEL FOCUS
Aligning sustainable
development with the
business goals / Younger
generation from family with
International Management
education and exposure, Mr
Ritesh Ladha is involved in building next
generation of Professionals in marketing
and internationaltrade, manufacturing,
future.Till date journey has been roller-
coaster and now slowly and steadily
emerging as “youthful ETP grade copper
rod manufacturers of different approach to
market”. Perhaps, that will make us to be
game changer of this business trend and
activities …….only time will tell!...an honest
confession from the young leader.
Our Marketing Head,
Parimal Das has in hand
a cut out plan for short/
midterm aswell long-term
strategy for the market on
four basic parameters:
1. PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION: There
are generic products which have been
theresince ages. However, technology
applications are changing atNano
levelat customer end/segment. We have
be in place.
2. CUSTOMER FOCUS:
T
TDT Copper – India’s most advanced ETP copper rod producer
COMPANY PROFILE

PROFILE:TDT COPPER
have a long advantage for them and
their products and services are being
incorporated in our customer focus
strategy.
3. RELATIONSHIP MARKETING: TDT follows
a customer relationship management
that focuses on customer loyalty and
long-term customer engagement rather
than short term goals like customer
acquisition and individual sales.
4. COST QUALITY APPROACH:
by producing and supplying world class
quality and in time.
material natural as well as recycling of
material and reduction of waste wherever
possible.
TDT is already heavily into exports.
Considering PM’s approach for new
INDIA:“MAKE IN INDIA” we have good
opportunity for quality products for the world
.We are adding more and more markets
across globe as well as new products for
exports market. Next three years, there will
be a big turnaround in TDT on export front in
terms of geographical penetration as well as
new range of products
PRESENT PRODUCT RANGE
1) Continuous Cast Copper Rods:
8mm,9.5mm,11mm , 12.5mm , 16mm
and 19.6mm TDT has extensive presence
across andespecially in the North India in
the production of Electrolytic Tough Pitch
(ETP) copper rods. It uses LICENSED
technology SCR2000 of Southwire USA
2) Cast Bar: Standards: ASTM B 5 (UNS No.
C 11000). Raw Material: Electrolytically
As per ASTM B115.
3) Bare Wires: TDT has capability to
produce bare wire up to 1.6mmpresently.
It has advantage for the manufacturers
to improve in their production process
4) OFC (Oxygen Free Copper Wire): OFC
Rod with ten upward casting lines from
Rautomead, UK with a total capacity of
8000 tons a year. It has superior quality
features like high electrical conductivity,
high thermal conductivity, high ductility,
less surface oxide, high creep resistance,
good weldabilty, good for low frequency
signal transmission.
5) Copper Cathode: Our raw material is
per ASTM – B11500 standards with
99.99% purity. We use LME GradeA
Copper Cathodes only which are sourced
from countries like Zambia, Chile,
Japan etc. We market/import our best
quality cathodes for different customers
across India according to their
requirements.
FUTURE PRODUCTS
TDT is aiming to produce 23mm onwards
CCCopperRodsin future in their plant to set
a platform in Indian Railway as an import
substitute and become the leading supplier
of copper rods with best quality assurance
and excellent service facility. Indian Railway
are modernising the railway tracks for the
fast service of the system where higher
diameter rods will play crucial role.
Contact:marketing@tdt.co.in
Website:www.tdt.co.in
Suzlon Group along with its associates,
undertheguidancefromChennai-based
National Institute of Ocean Technology and
approvals through National Institute of
Wind Energy (also based in Chennai), have
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
based wind measurement station in the
Arabian Sea, south west of Jakhau port in
Kutch, Gujarat. The met station is expected
to collect data for a period of two years.
The offshore wind data collection
platform is installed at about 16 km from
the shore in the territorial waters of Gujarat
under the control of the Gujarat Maritime
Board (GMB) at a water depth of about 11m
(w.r.t Chart Datum), where the tidal range
is 4m. The support platform is at a height
of about 14m above water level. Gujarat
Maritime Board (GMB) has provided
the project with valuable insights about
sea properties during various seasons,
navigation routes apart from administrative
permissions and facilitation.
The unmanned met station will be
powered by solar energy and will be
remotely monitored for maintenance
needs. Engineers will visit the site for
general inspection periodically and cater to
the servicing needs.
Additionally, an onshore mast of 150m
has also been installed for validation/
correlation purposes.
J.P. Chalasani, Group CEO, Suzlon Group
said, “Having pioneered the wind industry
in India, it is indeed a proud moment for
Offshore Met Station. The installation of the
offshore wind met station will aid in better
assessment of offshore wind and will lead
the way in harnessing India’s vast offshore
wind energy potential.”
Suzlon Group commissions offshore met station on west coast

T&D India (Jan-Feb 2018) - Rethinking power distribution policies

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