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Tag: Thermal Power Plants

  • Adani Power to Invest $3 Billion in 2400 MW Thermal Power Plant in Bihar

    Adani Power announced on 7 August that it had obtained a Letter of Intent (LoI) to invest $3 billion in the development and operation of a 2,400 MW greenfield thermal power project in Bihar.

    2,400 MW Thermal Project to Supply Power to Bihar Utilities

    North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. (NBPDCL) and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd. (SBPDCL) will receive 2,274 MW of power from a 2,400 MW thermal power project that will be built at Pirpainti in the Bhagalpur District of Bihar, thanks to the bid that India’s largest private sector thermal power generator won from Bihar State Power Generation Company Ltd. (BSPGCL).

    In a very competitive bidding procedure, Adani Power came in last with a final supply price of INR 6.075 per kWh. A greenfield 3×800 MW ultra-supercritical power plant, to be established under the Design, Build, Finance, Own, and Operate (DBFOO) model, will provide power as part of the contract.

    Project Timeline: First Unit to Be Commissioned in 48 Months

    Within 48 months of the scheduled date, the first unit will be put into service, and the last one within 60 months. Adani Power’s CEO, S.B. Khyalia, expressed the company’s satisfaction at winning the proposal to build and run a 2,400 MW thermal power project in Bihar.

    With a $3 billion investment, it will establish a new greenfield factory that will help the state’s industrialisation even further. He added that the plant will be a state-of-the-art, low-emission Ultra-supercritical, one that will provide reliable, reasonably priced, and high-quality power.

    It is anticipated that the project will create 10,000–12,000 direct and indirect jobs during development and 3,000 after it is operational.

    SHAKTI Policy to Provide Fuel Linkage

    Fuel for the plant will come from the designated coal linkage under the Central government’s SHAKTI Policy. According to the corporation, the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) with the State Utilities would be signed after it receives the LoA (Letter of Award) in due order.

    The biggest private thermal power producer in India is Adani Power, which is a component of the Adani portfolio. In addition to a 40 MW solar power plant in Gujarat, the corporation has an installed thermal power capacity of 18,110 MW distributed across 12 power plants in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu.

    Acquisition Watch: Adani Group Bids for Jaiprakash Associates

    According to media sources, the Adani group has emerged as the front-runner to purchase Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), which is presently going through insolvency processes, with a bid of up to INR 12,500 crore.

    With no limitations attached, the company has offered an upfront payment of about INR 8,000 crore.

    However, if a legal issue pertaining to its JP’s sports city project is settled, Dalmia Group is anticipated to present a serious challenge to Adani Group and maybe outbid Adani’s offer. The Supreme Court of India is still considering the matter.

    Quick
    Shots

    ·       
    Investment: $3
    Billion (INR 25,000 crore)

    ·       
    Capacity: 2,400
    MW (3×800 MW)

    ·       
    Location:
    Pirpainti, Bhagalpur District, Bihar

    ·       
    Model: DBFOO
    (Design, Build, Finance, Own, Operate)

    ·       
    Fuel: Coal via
    SHAKTI Policy

    ·       
    Jobs:
    10,000–12,000 (construction), 3,000 (operations)

  • Reducing Equipment Failures by 40%: Advanced Protection Measures in Thermal Power Plants

    In the intricate and high-stakes world of thermal power generation, the efficiency and reliability of equipment are paramount. Equipment failures not only disrupt operations but also lead to significant financial losses and safety risks. Recent advancements in protection measures have shown the potential to reduce equipment failures by up to 40%, marking a transformative step forward for the industry. This article delves into the strategies and initiatives driving these improvements, with insights from Sree Lakshmi, an expert in thermal power plant protection systems.

    Sree Lakshmi has evolved very successfully in her career by undertaking lead roles in projects that have resulted in the optimization of processes and drastic reduction of downtime in thermal power plants. This includes the successful execution of a comprehensive protection system overhaul at a plant. The result was a 25% reduction in downtime, significant cost savings, and improvement in operational efficiency. It goes from system optimization to training programs she developed and executed for engineers and technicians to orient themselves with new protection technologies so that they can be smoothly fitted in at any site.

    Through her work, Sree Lakshmi has made a measurable impact on her organization. By fine-tuning protection systems to reduce false trips and improve response times, she has increased operational efficiency by 25%. This achievement not only enhanced the plant’s energy output but also ensured cost-effectiveness in production. Her most notable accomplishment, however, lies in reducing equipment downtime by 40%. This was achieved by implementing advanced digital protection systems, including overcurrent and fault detection relays, which minimized unplanned shutdowns and ensured operational continuity.

    Sree Lakshmi’s expertise is exemplified in her leadership of large-scale projects. One such initiative involved upgrading the protection systems of a major thermal power plant by integrating advanced digital overcurrent relays. This upgrade resulted in a 40% reduction in equipment failures and significant cost savings in maintenance and repairs. Additionally, she developed a comprehensive training program for over 40 engineers and technicians, equipping them with the skills to manage and troubleshoot advanced protection systems. This training initiative improved fault response times by 25%, further contributing to operational efficiency.

    Implementing these advancements was not without challenges. Sree Lakshmi encountered resistance from team members and management, who were initially hesitant to adopt digital relays and advanced protection systems. Concerns about the learning curve and upfront costs posed significant barriers. However, through clear demonstrations of long-term benefits and tailored training sessions, she successfully addressed these concerns. Her ability to foster buy-in and demonstrate the tangible advantages of modern protection systems was instrumental in ensuring the smooth implementation of these technologies.

    Sree Lakshmi reflects upon the trend that digital technology plays in protection systems. “The shift from conventional electromechanical systems to digital solutions has been a game-changer,” she says.

    Digital relays and smart protection devices offer improved accuracy, flexibility, and predictive maintenance capability. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will also most probably take fault detection and system reliability to new heights in the not-too-distant future.

    In this respect, the thermal power industry has continued to evolve and is evolving with the adoption of advanced protection measures. Not only does the predictability and prevention of equipment failure ensure continuous operation, but also cost efficiency and safety. The work of Sree Lakshmi thus stands as testimony to how innovative solutions combined with committed professionals can influence a change in the industry.

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