Bangalore: ABB India has restored and modernized the critical 1,035 mw Sharavathi hydropower plant in Karnataka, which approximately accounts for 25 percent of the state utility Karnataka power corporation’s power generation. the india smart grid foundation (isgf) innovation award, one of india’s most prestigious ones, recognized ABB India’s efforts by awarding the “smart technology of the year 2016” to this project. The Sharavathi project with seamless integration of complete plant data is an example of ABB’s future-ready technologies enabling the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and aligns with the government’s push for 24×7 reliable power for all with focus on smart power infrastructure and digitalization. Bengaluru, which is home to ABB’s headquarters in India, has over 1,550 engineers and technologists working across the entire power value chain solutions, helping power producers operate their plants in a more optimal and reliable way.
“We are delighted to receive this honor. This is a testimony to our customer focus and speed, complementing ABB’s next level automation platform with timely delivery and execution,” said Ahmad Khan, Vice President, Power Generation and Water, ABB India Limited. “Such projects will be key to realizing the objective of India’s National Smart Grid Mission, for customers to reap the full benefits of digitalization with seamless integration thereby contributing to reliable supply of electricity,” he added.
Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL), the state-owned electric utility, in-charge of Sharavathi, expected the renovation of its second largest generating station to take two years. Working round the clock, the ABB team with support from KPCL management, helped restore the entire plant – comprising ten units – in just six months. The restoration and modernization will help lower overall costs generally associated with higher capex and maintenance costs for individual systems like advanced alarm management and remote communication with the state power grid and KPCL headquarters. Based on Symphony Plus, ABB’s flagship automation system for power generation and water industries, the solution implemented will seamlessly integrate the plant’s generating and electrical processes into a common system allowing operators to monitor and control the entire plant – its 10 generating units, governor, switchyard and protection systems, from a single screen, either in the plant or by remote.
ABB is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 132,000 employees.