Hemant Bhagat’s Post

Addition of substation (transformation) capacity in FY24 was 6.8 per cent lower than in FY23, according to a special study by T&D India. The study, based on time series data released by Central Electricity Authority, suggests that substation capacity addition in FY24, at 70,728 MVA, was not only 6.8 per cent lower than in FY23, it was also the lowest addition in any year since the past three years, at least. Substation capacity addition stood at 78,982 MVA in FY22, falling to 75,902 MVA in FY23 and further to 70,728 MVA in FY24. #substation Central Electricity Authority (Cea) #utilities #discoms

Tata Power has been named L1 bidder in two transmission schemes being awarded under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route. According to a recent investor presentation, Tata Power has been named as L1 bidder in two TBCB-based transmission schemes – one interstate and one intrastate. TATA Power #tbcb #powertransmission

Substation capacity addition during the first eight months (April to November) of FY24 fell substantially short of the target, especially considering the 765kV voltage class. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g6zwXiVr #SubstationChallenges #PowerInfrastructure #CapacityAdditionIssues #ElectricGridConcerns #EnergyTransmission

By end of the first quarter of FY25, five interstate transmission schemes (ISTS) schemes awarded under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism are scheduled to complete, thereby capitalizing assets worth over Rs.5,000 crore. According to a special study done by T&D India, based on official statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), a total of five ISTS-TBCB schemes involving aggregate project cost of Rs.5,062 crore are likely to be commissioned by June 30, 2024, which is the end of the first quarter (Q1: April to June) of ongoing fiscal year FY25. #ists #tbcb #powertransmission #cea

This is an innovative move from BT.   Electric vehicles are the future but the UK’s infrastructure isn’t currently equipped to support the switch on a mass scale. With the government unveiling plans to reach 300,000 public EV chargepoints by 2030, the approach by BT to repurpose existing infrastructure is a smart one. Not only will this approach reduce cost and waste, but it requires a lot less digging. This can only be a good thing to reduce the risk of teams hitting a high-pressure gas, oil, or chemical pipeline. Nevertheless, digging will still be involved to upgrade the UK's infrastructure and design teams should ensure they are searching for underground pipelines using LSBUD (Linesearch BeforeUdig)'s free service.   Read more on the news below 👇 #evcharging #infrastructure

The interstate transmission system (ISTS) network has seen an increase of 4,815 MVA in transformation capacity but there has been zero transmission line addition, during the first four months (April to July) of FY25. According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the first four months of the ongoing fiscal year FY25 saw total substation capacity addition of 14,620 MVA, out of which 4,815 MVA was towards the ISTS network and the remaining 9,805 MVA on the intrastate transmission system (InSTS) side. #ists #cea #powertransmission

Substation capacity addition during the first eight months (April to November) of FY24 fell substantially short of the target, especially considering the 765kV voltage class. According to latest statistics released by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India could add 4,500 MVA of 765kV-based transformation (substation) capacity during the April-November period of FY24, which was just 30 per cent of the 15,000 MVA targeted. State government utilities were expected to add 7,500 MVA of 765kV substation capacity, accounting for half of the overall target. As against this, actual addition stood at nil. (See table). #substation #cea

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has been awarded three interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes under the RTM route. In its latest meeting, National Committee on Transmission (NCT) approved the implementation of three ISTS schemes by PGCIL under the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) modality. The three schemes have an aggregate estimated outlay of Rs.452 crore and would be implemented over the next 18-24 months. Each of the three projects involve augmentation or upgrade of existing transmission assets owned by PGCIL, which possibly explains why they were awarded to PGCIL on the RTM route, instead of tendering them as independent projects on TBCB (tariff based competitive bidding) basis. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited #ists #tbcb #nct #powertransmission #rtm

Capacity isn't just about having power—it's about being ready for peak demand. To meet that need, PJM Interconnection invests in keeping generators on standby. This means paying for power plants to be built, maintained, and ready to meet the highest electricity needs throughout the year. This proactive approach helps prevent shortages and keeps our power supply reliable and stable, even during those peak times. https://lnkd.in/dTRn5YAn #PJM #Electricity #SustainableEnergy #PeakDemand

The integrity of towers must be guaranteed by assessing the compatibility of existing foundations and towers, and evaluating mechanical stresses and tension. If there is a requirement for reinforcing any towers, such measures can be taken concurrently with the reconductoring process. Reconductoring extra high voltage lines on towers that support multiple voltages and circuits may pose challenges. The­re­fore, it is essential to implement effecti­ve strategies, especially when an adjacent circuit on the same tower needs to re­main energised. The growth in load and the need for economical system operation adapted to the load necessitate the adoption of cost-effective approaches to meet transmission capability requirements. In such scenarios, reconductoring using high temperature low sag (HTLS) conductors emerges as a viable option to au­gment power delivery to the load. HTLS allows for a relatively high current to flow through the conductor without compromising sag parameters. The elevated current rating substantially en­ha­n­­ces the thermal capacity of the overhead line, typically doubling its limit. The potential to deploy HTLS conductors, without simultaneous upgrades in towers and insulators, positions them as a promising option to increase the thermal rating of existing transmission pat­hs. This becomes particularly significant in urban areas where obtaining new RoW approvals proves challenging. Costs and tariffs According to the draft paper, a crucial aspect in the reconductoring process is determining the tariff mechanism. The choice lies between the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) and tariff-based com­petitive bidding (TBCB). Transmission schemes with a cost lower than Rs 1 billion require approval from the Central Transmission Utility (CTU). Meanwhile, schemes with a cost ranging from Rs 1 billion up to Rs 5 billion are sanctioned by the National Committee on Transmission (NCT). For schemes estimated to cost above Rs 5 billion, the NCT recommends approval to the Mini­stry of Power. The sanctioned schemes are then implemented through either the RTM or the TBCB route. RTM is a cost-plus model overseen by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited for project execution. In this system, reconductoring works are assigned to the licensee of the original line. Since the ac­tivities associated with reconductoring are typically classified as technical upgra­des, these projects are implemented in RTM mode by the owner of the original transmission line. Top of form However, concerns have been raised by transmission associations and industry stakeholders regarding the RTM approa­ch. They have apprehensions about hi­gher implementation costs and a perceived lack of transparency in the allocation of reconductoring works to the tra­nsmission licensee of the original line.