For India’s power transmission & distribution sector, Siemens has been not just a long-standing partner, but also the creator of new-technology paradigms. Siemens has several firsts to its credit—voltage source converter (VSC) technology being a very recent case in point. We have in this exclusive interview, Gerd Deusser, Head – Energy, Siemens India, telling us more about how Siemens is deepening its engagement with India, and that too by extensive localization. Siemens is committed to bringing state-of-the-art technologies to support India’s energy transition, asserts Deusser. An interview by Venugopal Pillai.
Siemens has been at the forefront in supplying HVDC technology to the India’s power transmission sector. We recall that India’s first private HVDC line was supplied by Siemens, way back in 2009. How has India’s HVDC market been for Siemens, over the years?
We take great pride in partnering India in its energy transition and developing state-of-the-art HVDC technologies. HVDC technology offers the most efficient means of transmitting large amount of power over long distances, help connect green power to the grid, and stabilize the grid.
We have supported major initiatives of the power sector to achieve ’24×7 Power for All’ in the country by ensuring reliable power supply, improving the grid’s stability, and facilitating the efficient use of renewable energy.
Very recently, Siemens introduced VSC technology to India in the Pugalur-Trichur HVDC line. Please tell us about this technology. How relevant is VSC technology to India?
Transmission system operators in India need to handle increasingly complex grids and meet new demands. The Pugalur-Trichur HVDC line is India’s first HVDC link, featuring state-of-the-art Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) technology. VSC is the latest innovation in HVDC technology, offering a very stable and highly flexible reactive power control independent of active power control and additional features to support the AC systems like “black start” capability. It makes it possible to combine the advantages of HVDC transmission with extra benefits such as AC voltage control, and other functions that improve the performance and security of any transmission system.
“Our digital technologies will help customers in the transmission industry to achieve efficiency, security and productivity.”
Siemens’ digital portfolio including Sensformer, Sensgear and SensSolution, has been launched worldwide, and more recently, to India. How do you see the way forward for these futuristic solutions in India?
Digital applications enable energy and power operators to have access to a cloud-based platform that visualizes collected data and enables comprehensive overview of all assets and power grid’s status in real time. This platform takes the physical technologies in the digital way and allows users to actively build the energy future.
For reference, Sensgear offers a connective and easy to use platform combined with comprehensive analytic applications which enables faster and intelligent decisions for power transmission equipment
Recently we partnered with three steel manufacturers from Jalna in Maharashtra to deliver advanced power transmission equipment with integrated digital technologies and are committed to drive the energy transition to enable more sustainable, reliable and productive ecosystems in India through our technologies.
These technologies will help customers in the transmission industry to achieve efficiency, security and productivity.
Siemens’ Kalwa factory is often regarded as a world-class manufacturing facility for transformers. How has this factory shaped up, in terms of its capabilities, in recent years?
The Kalwa power transformer factory of Siemens was inaugurated in 2007 and specializes in high-voltage power transformers. The state-of-the-art power transformer factory is capable of designing and manufacturing large power transformers, reactors, HVDC transformers catering to different segments. The factory has shaped up tremendously to manufacture technologies and solutions which form the backbone of modern energy grids in India, and their reliable operation is crucial to ensuring a stable and resilient power supply.
This factory has already received Best Quality Award for three consecutive years and also has the enviable record of 13 new designs of large power transformers successfully passing short-circuit withstand test in its first attempt at global and Indian test labs. This proves our design, manufacturing process, material quality and product testing are best in class.
We recall that Siemens, through its Kalwa facility, recently supplied a green transformer to a private utility. Tell us more. How do you see the road ahead for such green ester oil-filled transformers in India?
Yes, we recently supplied synthetic ester oil-filled 220kV power transformers. Ester oil is bio-degradable as also gives the transformer ability to withstand higher temperatures. Ester oil filled transformers are already well accepted in distribution transformer segment, and we are diligently advocating its usage in power transformers to meet the nation’s ambition of greener environment.
“We take pride in being the only company capable of supporting the entire energy value chain.”
Also read : Siemens Records Highest-Ever Order Backlog
As a small digression, we understand that the global entity, Siemens Energy, has decided to move out of the new-build coal power business. What impact do you see this having on the business in India?
We have discontinued the support for the development of new coal-fired power plants but will continue to offer bridging technologies like gas-fired plants and components for efficient combined heat and power (CHP), waste heat and biomass co-firing projects as also continue its CO2-reducing service and solutions business. These technologies include sector coupling to drive the energy transition, and thus support the reduction of global warming, with Power-to-X solutions and green hydrogen as the main elements.
Globally, this step was not easy from a business point of view, but it was the right step. Decarbonization is a key element of the energy transition.
Siemens, over the years, has played a vital role in providing futuristic solutions to India’s power transmission and distribution space. Given that India’s power transmission network has a large appetite for new technology, how do you see the years ahead? If you were to name some key offerings, what would they be?
We help customers to meet the evolving demands of industries and societies and have a comprehensive portfolio for utilities, independent power producers, transmission system operators, and the oil & gas industry. We take pride in being the only company capable of supporting the entire energy value chain, enabling it through accelerated collaboration and co-creation as well as the strengthened collective know-how of our people.
Our recent successes stand testimony to our commitment to provide the most innovative and cutting-edge technologies for the industry. From installing technologies to optimizing asset performance through digitalization, improving the supply chain with additive manufacturing, protecting assets through cybersecurity and setting up application centers for co-creation and collaboration, Siemens has been at the forefront of bringing state-of-the-art technologies to support this energy transition.
