Electrical Research Development Association (ERDA) is a professionally managed not-for-profit technical organisation serving industries and utilities for over 40 years in the areas of test, evaluation, certification, consultancy and R&D related to electrical products and systems. In this exclusive exchange, H.K. Mishra, Acting Director, ERDA, exudes confidence in ERDA improving its range of services and enlarging its acceptance level beyond Indian shores.
What would you regard as ERDA’s biggest achievements in financial year 2017-18? Please summarize.
During the year 2017-18, ERDA tested more than 53,000 numbers of samples, and 19,000 numbers of customer work orders were prepared. ERDA provided services to 55 electrical utilities in India. Apart from in-house testing, ERDA also catered to more than 5,500 inspection calls for third-party inspection and 600 field/site testing jobs.
Distribution transformer testing section has shown nearly 30 per cent growth as compared to last year. Nearly 2,500 transformers have been tested at our laboratory. At site, we carried out testing of approximately 600 transformers. So the total number of transformers tested by this section is 3,100 in just one year. The Quality Control order for distribution transformers has become a success due the excellent work done by ERDA.
ERDA also enhanced its solar pump testing capabilities to support government initiative of wide spread use of solar pumps in place on conventional diesel pump sets. ERDA has tested more than 190 solar pumps and more than 1900 solar PV modules in 2017-18.
Among the new facilities created during the year, ERDA has established testing facility for IEC 61850 communication protocol testing for Intelligent Electronic Devices (Numerical Relays). This facility is unique in the country.
In this year, ERDA was independently approved as accredited laboratory from ADWEA, Abu Dhabi and TNB, Malaysia. ERDA has expanded its international business over 15% compared to last year.
During this financial year ERDA was awarded the patent on “Fault Current Limiter”. We also filed a patent application on “Anti Dust coating for Solar PV modules”.
ERDA strengthened its commitment towards energy efficiency by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic partnership in the area of energy efficiency with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), on February 12, 2018.
In this year ERDA received accreditation from NABCB under ISO 17020 to provide inspection services as Type “A” inspection body. This accreditation will immensely help us in providing high quality third-party inspection services nationally and internationally.
Tell us more on the testing facilities based on IEC 61850 communication protocol, developed in association with DNV-GL.
Yes, ERDA has established testing facility for IEC 61850 communication protocol testing for Intelligent Electronic Devices (Numerical Relays). Communication protocol testing tool has been provided by DNV GL, The Netherlands. With introduction of this testing facility, ERDA can take up communication protocol testing, as per IEC 61850, of Numerical Relays including functional performance requirement, product safety requirement, contact performance test, climatic performance test, thermal requirement test and IP test. Earlier manufacturers had to go abroad to do this testing at an exorbitant cost. This unique facility will help manufacturing and testing of numerical relays in India and will give a boost to ‘Make in India’ program of the government of India.
We also learn of ERDA now offering services with respect to LED lighting equipment. Tell us also about the MoU with EESL, in this regard.
Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL) has empanelled ERDA as an independent NABL accredited test laboratory for sample testing of LED bulbs under the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP).
ERDA is equipped with state-of-the-art testing facility in its photometry testing laboratory e.g. computerized spectral flux measurement system with integrating sphere, Goniophotometer with dark room, computerized life test rack for life testing of lamps, draught-proof thermal enclosure for temperature rise test, environmental chamber with automatic temperature and humidity control for temperature cycling test.
ERDA strengthened their commitment towards energy efficiency by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic partnership in the area of energy efficiency with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) on February 12, 2018. ERDA and ESSL joined hands to work in the fields of quality assurance programmes, training and skill development, energy audit, and other related areas. The synergy between both the organizations will bring significant improvement in the demand side management of energy in India.
When it comes to testing of high-voltage electrical equipment, especially transformers, please orient us with ERDA’s current capabilities and future plans.
ERDA has complete type testing facilities for distribution transformers as per IS1180 for rating up to 33kV, 2.5 MVA. ERDA can conduct short circuit test on distribution transformers of rating up to 4 MVA, 33kV at its Savli Laboratory at Vadodara. ERDA can also conduct high voltage impulse test on up to 220kV, 100 MVA power transformers at its laboratory. ERDA is also NABL accredited for on-site testing (at manufacturer’s works) of routine tests, temperature rise test and other specified tests up to 220kV, 100 MVA power transformer with its own instrument.
ERDA is setting up, at Vadodara, a high voltage partial discharge laboratory for electrical equipment up to 220kV, which can be extended up to 400kV in future. This laboratory will have facility for partial discharge test and measurement of capacitance and Tan δ up to 220kV for current transformers, voltage transformers, high voltage cables, condenser bushings, dry type transformers and hybrid GIS. This laboratory will supplement the High Voltage Impulse Laboratory up to 1600kVp already available at ERDA Vadodara and ERDA will be able to offer complete type testing services for these high voltage products.
ERDA has a future ambitious plan of setting up of a Medium Voltage Short Circuit laboratory for short circuit testing of power transformers (up to 160 MVA, 245kV) and medium voltage switchgears. Detailed technical feasibility report has been prepared by CESI, Italy. However, the project is awaiting financial closure due to non-availability financial commitment from the Central government and the Gujarat government.
What are ERDA’s current testing capabilities in upcoming areas like renewable energy (mainly wind and solar equipment) and also Smart Grid architecture?
ERDA currently has MNRE-approved solar pump test facility (up to 10 HP) and solar home/street lighting system and solar lantern test facilities. ERDA is also having solar PV panel test facility up to 400Wp, size 2m x 1m. We also have solar cable, solar batteries and solar inverter test facilities.
ERDA provides a range of expert services for the renewable sector. These include power system studies, power quality measurement, mitigation solutions and integration studies. We have also worked intensively with various wind farm developers and solar park developers for integration of renewable energy with the grid.
ERDA is also having smart meter including DLMS protocol testing facilities and IEC-61850 Protocol testing facilities to support Smart Grid architecture.
We learn that ERDA offers a wide range of consultancy to power T&D projects. Tell us more on the scope of this consultancy and the various utilities that ERDA is currently offering such services to.
T&D losses are the main cause of higher financial losses on the state distribution utilities. Inefficient use of electricity, metering error, faulty meters and lack of consumer awareness are the main causes of T&D losses. Hence there is large scope to reduce the energy losses in the power system to an optimal level by some changes in the system. ERDA assists discoms and transmission companies in attaining the bench mark AT&C losses.
ERDA is one of the Third Party Independent Evaluation Agency (TPIEA) for a massive programme of upgradation of sub-transmission and distribution system and reduction of aggregate technical & commercial losses under the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (R-APDRP) for the states of Goa and Chhattisgarh.
The quality of materials and installation practices (electrification) with respect to construction standard like REC norms, IE Rules, Indian Standards and also the safety of personnel and equipment needs to be ensured. ERDA as TPIA has played a significant role in supervising, inspecting and certifying the erected network of more than 3,00,000 ckm line/cable under different schemes covering 107 districts of India. ERDA has gained experience for such type of consultancy work of project value exceeding Rs.3,000 crore.
ERDA has experience in designing of high voltage distribution system as per REC norms, IE Rules, Indian Standards. ERDA designed, supervised and monitored more than 500 feeders in high voltage distribution system (HVDS) in Ajmer Vidhyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (AVVNL) and Madhya Pradesh Poorva Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd.
What is your view on the challenges that you face on the manpower front?
Like any other traditional industries, ERDA also faces tremendous challenge in attracting and retaining quality talents in its fold. First of all getting quality engineers with good employability suitable for a laboratory and R&D institution like us is a challenge. We overcome this challenge by employing good quality fresh engineers directly from colleges and then putting them through yearlong intensive training with regular structured reviews to make them ready for our kind of institutions.
ERDA provides excellent opportunity and encouragement for higher studies and skill development for its young engineers. It also provides an exciting work culture and an ideal learning atmosphere for its employees. Since ERDA is a growing organization, the scope of career growth is also available in plenty. The excellent professional working atmosphere provided by ERDA has managed to retain many good engineers for more than 20–30 years in the organization.
What is the overall inclination of engineering students to take up R&D as a career choice?
Yes, in the engineering sector there is only a miniscule section of engineers opting for R&D as their career choice. But for those having an inclination to R&D, ERDA becomes an ideal choice. We still get a good number of students who are ready to work in the R&D field with us, however retaining them with exciting research projects are a challenge with us.
With facilities at Vadodara, Navi Mumbai, Rajahmundry and Gurgaon, ERDA has broadly covered three major regions of India. Do you have plans to set up new labs, especially to cater to the East Indian Market?
Though ERDA presently operates on a self-sustaining business model, but it is dependent on government financial support for setting up of new large projects or new satellite laboratories. Setting up laboratories requires availability of large area of land with requisite infrastructure like dedicated high voltage feeder connection, good road connectivity and steady power supply. Also it requires substantial electrical manufacturing industry concentration in its nearby areas. We need active government support in these fields also to set up a new laboratory. We are very positive and open about setting up a new laboratory in Eastern India as it does have any major laboratory in this area. In fact we prepared a business proposal for setting up a testing laboratory in West Bengal and submitted it to WBSEB. We are awaiting a positive response from their end.
ERDA recently completed 44 years of service to the Indian electrical industry. What would you regard as ERDA’s main growth drives in its journey to 50?
From a humble beginning, ERDA today has reached its position as one of the largest and most diverse testing laboratories in India. This was possible due to long term vision of ERDA’s guiding pioneers. ERDA has always kept pace with the development of electrical industry in India both technologically as well as in terms of capacity. This is the secret of success of ERDA. If ERDA has to remain relevant in future also, it has to keep pace with the changing scenario of the electrical field in India.
This requires a two pronged action plan. First ERDA should invest and develop testing facilities in emerging technology of future. For example renewable energy, electrical vehicles, smart grid are the areas of growth in future. ERDA has a well laid out plan to support growth of electrical industries in these emerging technology areas.
Secondly ERDA has to expand its areas of operation and acceptance level beyond India. ERDA is already working in this area for last few years. Our acceptance by ADWEA, Abu Dhabi and TNB, Malaysia is a small step in this direction. We are continuously working towards spreading our wings to other Middle East countries, SAARC Countries, Far East Countries, African countries and other areas. The mission statement of our organization aspires to become “An Internationally Renowned Laboratory and Center of Excellence in R&D for Electrical Industries and Utilities”. We hope to march to our mission within the 50th year of operation.
