Siemens Ltd will be focusing on the VSC (voltage source converter) technology within the HVDC (high-voltage direct current) power transmission ecosystem.
Addressing an investor call recently, the top management of Siemens Ltd said that the company will be focusing on the VSC technology, and not the LCC (line-commutated converter) technology. These are the only two technologies on which HVDC power transmission systems are based, it is learnt.
The top management said that the company believes strongly in the VSC technology and will therefore participate in VSC-based HVDC projects only. This is true not only with Siemens in India but globally as well. Siemens feels that VSC technology is a superior technology and is being adopted globally, in preference over LCC.
Siemens feels that HVDC technology will be a growth driver as India moves towards expanding its renewable energy capacities. The engineering major also believes that grid stability will be a big opportunity for STATCOMs, which are coming up fast as grid-stability agents supporting renewable energy integration in the country’s power grid.
Upcoming HVDC infrastructure
According to information available with T&D India, the country has not seen addition of HVDC-based power transmission infrastructure – lines or substations – for nearly three years now. Further, no major HVDC infrastructure is envisaged for addition till end of FY27 except for one project involving 80 ckm of lines and 1,000 MW of transfer capacity.
However, between FY28 and FY32, which is from April 1, 2027 up to March 31, 2032, India is expected to add as much as 15,432 ckm of HVDC lines and 32,250 MW of transfer capacity. This will mean 80 per cent growth in HVDC lines and near-doubling of transfer capacity from current levels.
Very recently, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) finalized the contract for the mega Khavda V-A project, which is the first HVDC project to be awarded using the tariff-based competitive bidding route.
Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) is also expected to soon place contracts for its “Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission Ltd,” which is now the second HVDC project under the TBCB regime.
Inclusive of these two projects, a total of 14,500 MW of HVDC transfer capacity and 5,500 ckm of HVDC lines are expected to come from ISTS-TBCB projects currently under bidding.
Also read: Siemens Gamesa to sell its power electronics business to ABB
Featured photograph (source: Siemens), showing an HVDC converter hall, is for representation only
