Interview
The demand for power quality solutions is expected to grow manifold: IEEMA
Apex industry body IEEMA (Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers’ Association) has been addressing the critical issue of power quality through its Capacitors & Power Quality (CAPQ) division for the past several decades. In this exclusive interaction, we have Baldev Narang, Chairman, CAPQ Division, IEEMA, discussing the intricacies of power quality whilst clearing several popular industry-related misconceptions. Narang asserts that the core issue, often ignored, is the presence of harmonics at the consumer’s non-linear loads. These harmonics are exported to the grid and return to consumers in the form of voltage distortions, Narang explains in an interview with Venugopal Pillai.
Reinhausen aims to keep contributing to power transformation
- Aug 18, 2022
The grid of the future will be dominated by DC-based power sources like solar and wind, as well as battery-based consumption avenues like electric vehicles. Switching from AC to DC at multiple stages is bound to bring inefficiency to the grid. In this context, Germany-based Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH (popularly known as MR or Reinhausen), is working towards a medium-voltage DC grid, thanks to its innovative solutions like GRIDCON DCT – a direct current transformer. In this exclusive interaction, Dr Stephan Rupp, Grid Expert, Reinhausen, takes us through the intricacies of DC grids and Reinhausen’s pioneering work in this domain. An interview by Venugopal Pillai.
Ecozen has brought in new-age analytics for smart irrigation
- Jul 12, 2022
Ecotron, from Ecozen Solutions, aims to be a solution for sustainable irrigation – given that India annually uses about 4 billion litres of diesel and 85 million tonnes of coal to support its irrigation activities. In this interaction, we have Devendra Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Ecozen Solutions, telling us more on the scope for Ecotron in an agrarian economy like India. Solar pumping in agriculture has made a good beginning in India thanks to Central government support, Gupta notes whilst explaining why Ecotron is today the most advanced solar pump controller available to Indian farmers.
Consumer interest and knowledge is scaling up: Polycab India
- Jul 5, 2022
Polycab is today India’s biggest name in the wire and cable segment, catering to a wide spectrum of industries. We have, in this exclusive interview, Bhushan Sawhney, Executive President & Chief Business Officer (Cables), Polycab India, taking us through the company’s journey – from its humble beginnings to the formidable position that it holds today. Sawhney also shares keen insights on the emerging deployment areas for cables – like renewable energy and electric vehicles — as well as general issues affecting the industry. Sawhney asserts that thanks to the unrivalled competency that Polycab has built over the years, the company is well poised to meet any variety and scale of demand in the future.
We have overcome the cost barrier in LED adoption: EESL
- Jun 27, 2022
A joint venture of Central PSUs in the power ministry, Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), is spearheading a number of flagship programmes that are helping the nation achieve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. EESL’s activities span lighting, domestic appliances, electric vehicles, etc. As far as lighting is concerned, EESL is championing the energy-efficiency cause through two programmes – UJALA and SLNP. In this exchange, we have Animesh Mishra, Chief General Manager (PR), EESL, asserting that these two programmes are making a huge contribution in India’s journey towards becoming a low-carbon economy. LED lighting, once considered a niche segment meant only for the affluent, has now reached even rural roads.
Online monitoring of SF6 is highly recommended: WIKA
- Jun 21, 2022
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is the most popular insulating medium used in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). SF6, however, has been regarded as a “greenhouse” gas and can cause potential ecological damage. Due to this, monitoring of SF6 present in switchgear, especially for leaks, is a very important activity for any GIS installation. WIKA has been addressing this market globally for over 40 years and is present in India since 2007. We have Vishal Patil, Senior Consultant, WIKA India, discussing technical and practical aspects of SF6, whilst orienting us with WIKA’s solutions in this highly specialized field of SF6 monitoring.
Hydrogen energy storage is a reliable alternative to batteries: Black & Veatch
- Jun 13, 2022
Earlier this year, Black & Veatch (B&V) was selected as EPC service provider for the world’s largest green hydrogen facility coming up at Utah in USA – a very significant development for B&V, a global enterprise that supports its clients with a full suite of solutions in the green hydrogen space. In India too, green hydrogen is attracting high levels of private sector involvement, coupled with government support. In this backdrop, T&D India got in touch with Rajiv Menon, Country Manager & Managing Director – India, Black & Veatch, to understand intricacies of the green hydrogen ecosystem, and B&V’s role in the upcoming mega facility at Utah. An interview by Venugopal Pillai.
Floating solar power is now getting much attention in India: Ciel & Terre
- May 19, 2022
Ciel & Terre is a global specialist in floating solar power technology with over a decade of expertise in this niche market. Today, Ciel & Terre has a presence in over 30 countries and has grid-connected over 600 projects globally. The company in 2018 launched its operations in India where it is rapidly establishing its footprint. In this exclusive interview, we have Deepak Ushadevi, Managing Director & CEO, Ciel & Terre India, giving us an in-depth understanding of floating solar power, and its relevant to India. Deepak Ushadevi notes with appreciate that the outlook for floating solar power in India is incredibly positive and that Ciel & Terre is poised to make a significant contribution towards developing this nascent industry in the subcontinent.
Energy storage will be crucial in net-zero energy systems: DNV
- May 10, 2022
In April this year, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) floated a tender to set up a 500-MW battery energy storage system on the build, own, operate (BOO) model. In the backdrop of this tender, T&D India got in touch with DNV to understand the issues that India will need to contend with in the quest of setting up the targeted 27 GW of energy storage capacity by FY30. In this interaction, we have Modini Yantrapati, Senior Consultant – Energy Storage Services APAC, DNV, taking us through the intricacies of energy storage systems, and their increasing relevance to India.
Energy storage will complement India’s renewable energy goals: Fluence
- Apr 19, 2022
Fluence is poised to play an important role in India’s energy storage ambitions. In 2019, Fluence supplied technology to India’s first grid-scale battery-based energy storage system, and now, it has teamed up with ReNew Power with the overall objective of supporting India’s energy transition. In this exclusive interview, we have Achal Sondhi, Vice President – Market Growth, APAC at Fluence, explaining the criticality of energy storage systems in India’s emerging landscape. Sondhi asserts that India’s massive plans of renewable energy generation are closely aligned to the country’s progress in the field of battery-based energy storage systems. An interview by Venugopal Pillai.