India crossed an important milestone in the field of electrical equipment testing with National High Power Test Laboratory Pvt Ltd , India’s newest and most modern laboratory, announced commercial operations of its first phase on July 1,2017. We have R. Ranjan, in this exclusive interaction, taking us through the competencies of the new lab and discussing how NHPTL can develop itself into the most sought-after testing lab for high-voltage equipment, globally. An interview by Venugopal Pillai.
The electrical equipment industry, especially transformers, was keenly awaiting the launch of operations of NHPTL. Tell us when you expect commercial operations to start, and what testing facilities will be available in the first phase?
National High Power Test Laboratory Pvt Ltd (NHPTL) is a joint venture company of NTPC, NHPC, Power Grid Corporation of India, Damodar Valley Corporation and Central Power Research Institute. It was planned for the establishment of a fully independent, standalone, state-of-the art, professionally managed, international class, online high power test laboratory in India to provide full range of short circuit testing for the electrical equipment manufacturing industry and power utilities in conformance to Indian and International Standards.
Recently, NHPTL has tested a 120MVA, 400/11.5-11.5kV, 3-phase, station transformer of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) as first commercial test on July 1, 2017, and declared the high voltage transformer (HVTR) section of its laboratory under Stage-I, commercially operational at 400kV. Stage-I, located at Bina in Madhya Pradesh, shall cater to the requirement of short circuit test of electric transformers from 50MVA, 132kV class to 315MVA, 400kV Class.
The commissioning and commercial operation of the lab at 765kV for the short circuit test of 765kV class transformers is expected shortly.
What testing facilities are envisaged in subsequent phases?
In the first phase, the laboratory is being developed in two sections. As mentioned earlier, the first one is the high voltage transformer (HVTR) section for short circuit testing of transformers from 132kV class to 765kV class and the second one is medium voltage transformer (MVTR) section for short circuit testing of transformer from 33kV class to 90kV class. HVTR section of Lab is already commercially operational whereas, MVTR section of the Lab is expected to start tentatively during the first quarter of 2018.
The second phase envisages construction of high power synthetic (HPS) laboratory for testing of switchgears up to 550kV, 63kA level and high current low voltage (HCLV) laboratory for HT/LT switchgear, bus ducts, CTs, isolators etc. for short time current withstand test up to 400kA RMS for one second.
Please discuss how NHPTL is poised to reduce the dependence of Indian electrical equipment manufacturers on overseas testing labs.
At present, for short circuit testing of transformer, Indian manufacturers have to send their transformers to KEMA, Netherlands for short circuit testing which takes a lot of time, involves high risk of transportation of transformer through ship for a long distance, and involves heavy foreign exchange outgo. After start of our facility, the time required in testing will be reduced to just half with respect to that taken if services of KEMA are used, leading to reduction in the delivery time of equipment and thus saving in time and cost of the project as well as foreign exchange.
Is there any estimate made on the foreign exchange savings that India can potentially make, due to NHPTL?
Definitely, the test facility will save foreign exchange, as now, with the commencement of commercial operations of the facility, there is no need to send the transformers to foreign test laboratory. In terms of saving on foreign exchange, whatever is the (sales) turnover of NHPTL with respect to 400kV class and 765kV class transformers, shall be the saving of foreign exchange in future.
The test services of NHPTL may also be utilized by SAARC countries, ASEAN & Middle East countries. This will also have lower testing and shipping cost as compared to the testing facilities in other countries. Hence, the facility will also earn foreign exchange.
NHPTL has been a project of massive scale. Please recall the main challenges that were encountered and overcome, so far.
Yes, you are absolutely right. NHPTL is a unique type of project in itself and it is a first online grid-based testing facility in the world up to 765kV level. Equipment from more than 10 countries has been imported. Hence engineering co-ordination/clearances was very critical. Since the facility is grid-based, study on impact on grid through system study and satisfying to different officials of different statutory clearance bodies during the technical discussion was very challenging. Hence, even as construction work was completed, going for commercial clearance was a big challenge as a number of clearances were required.
Please discuss how NHPTL will complement the working of existing testing labs like CPRI and ERDA.
NHPTL will complement the working of existing labs like CPRI and ERDA because NHPTL is equipped with different range of testing, which is higher than the capacity of existing labs. This aspect has already been taken care of so that business of other labs may not be affected in the wake of commercial operation of NHPTL.
How do you see NHPTL meeting its requirements of skilled manpower?
At present, we have only CPRI in our country that has research facility in high voltage area. Definitely, in future NHPTL will also be a destination for engineering student where they would like to work for research & development in our world-class laboratory.
Once fully developed, how will NHPTL compare with global standards? Do you envisage that NHPTL will cater to the equipment testing needs of the world?
Once fully developed up to 765kV class and with the securing of various accreditations, I am sure that we will be able to meet the global standard of quality in the field of testing and customers from all parts of the world will visit us as a most preferred testing destination in the world. With incessant efforts, I am sure that our laboratory shall become unmatched and unparalleled with respect to any other laboratory o f its kind in the world.
