ABB India restores crucial power infrastructure in record time for Karnataka, wins smart technology award

03 Apr 2017 CW Staff

ABB’s Symphony Plus system ensures 24/7 reliable power to the backbone of India’s Silicon Valley and 18 million customers across the state.

ABB India has restored and modernised the critical 1,035 MW Sharavathi Hydropower Plant in Karnataka, which approximately accounts for 25 per cent 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, has recognised 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 x 7 reliable power for all with focus on smart power infrastructure and digitalisation. 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 honour. This is a testimony to our customer focus and speed, complementing ABB’s next level automation platform with timely delivery and execution,” says Ahmad Khan, Vice President, Power Generation and Water, ABB India. “Such projects will be key to realising 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 adds.

Karnataka Power Corporation (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 modernisation 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’s Symphony Plus system ensures 24/7 reliable power to the backbone of India’s Silicon Valley and 18 million customers across the state. ABB India has restored and modernised the critical 1,035 MW Sharavathi Hydropower Plant in Karnataka, which approximately accounts for 25 per cent 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, has recognised 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 x 7 reliable power for all with focus on smart power infrastructure and digitalisation. 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 honour. This is a testimony to our customer focus and speed, complementing ABB’s next level automation platform with timely delivery and execution,” says Ahmad Khan, Vice President, Power Generation and Water, ABB India. “Such projects will be key to realising 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 adds. Karnataka Power Corporation (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 modernisation 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.