Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd has commissioned what could be the first-of-its-kind submersible distribution transformer in the country, installed by any power utility.
The innovative submersible power substation has been commissioned in Gujranwala Town, New Delhi. In technical collaboration with in collaboration with Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt Ltd, Tata Power DDL has installed the 630KVA submersible transformer under the parking space of its substation building The setup will help in providing continuous and reliable power to key consumers during exigency, including consumers providing essential services, a release from Tata Power DDL said.
The submersible substation was inaugurated at the hands of Dr. A K Ambasht, Member, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) in the presence of Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO, Tata Power-DDL and other senior officials of the company.
Sensors, special relays
The transformer is equipped with temperature and pressure sensors for monitoring and planning maintenance activities. The equipment is suitable for water submersion. Smart meter with Digital Input/Output has been installed for monitoring the load and raising alerts in case of an issue.
The 11kV supply for transformer is fed through ring main unit (RMU) having special relay which controls the switching and automatic tripping under abnormal network conditions. All this along with the robust technology make it low maintenance and capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions.
New benchmarks
Speaking on the installation, Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO, Tata Power-DDL said, “As a utility of the future, we are constantly focussed at innovating and becoming future ready. This utility installation of submersible power station will not only further strengthen our network but also ensure reliable power supply to our consumers in all times. This initiative is in line with our mission to set new benchmarks in the power distribution space by delivering change.”
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Indigenous technology
Focusing on innovation, this technology has been fully developed in India after thorough research on the standards used by global benchmarks. It can function upon complete submersion under water and is particularly useful in today’s time when metro cities are facing steep load growth and space crunch due to urbanization.
This transformer can be easily installed under the multilane main roads, service roads, public parks, building parking, basements, and public parking places. Hence it is virtual zero space installation, as the top surface can be used for general purpose application like walk ways, roads, parks etc.
Fighting the space crunch
A submersible duty transformer would be an ideal solution for these emergency situations for reliable network and will also prove beneficial in coastal areas where storm, flood etc. disrupt the power supply, the release said. Load growth in a city like Delhi is almost a vertical curve and there is space crunch for installation of new substations. During such times, the supply is affected and electrical equipment gets damaged due to water ingress, hence restoration of power supply takes longer time.
Featured photograph is a graphic illustrating the topography of the submersible substation. Inside photograph shows the submersible substation, as seen from the ground surface. Photos provided by Tata Power DDL.
