BHEL becomes the largest supplier in the world for high-rating Disc Insulators for 800 kV HVDC Transmission Lines; Bags single-largest order for 4.53 lakh Disc Insulators

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)’s sustained focus on developing new technologies and products through in-house R&D initiatives has once again paid rich dividends to the company with the successful commercialisation of the world’s first indigenously-developed 420 kN Anti-fog Porcelain Disc Insulators for application in + 800 kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission Lines.

In the face of stiff international competition, the company has won the single-largest order, valued at Rs.2,000 Million, for the supply of 4.53 lakh 420 kN Anti-fog Porcelain Disc Insulators from PowerGrid. These insulators will be used in the first-ever + 800 kV HVDC Transmission Line of PowerGrid from Biswanath Chariyali in the North East to Agra. The HVDC transmission line will be a major step ahead in implementing a bulk power transmission system in the country. This interconnection is envisaged to bring surplus, low-cost power from the North Eastern Region to the power deficit states in the Northern region.

After exhaustive R&D efforts, BHEL has successfully designed, developed and tested these insulators at STRI, Ludvika, Sweden, the only internationally accredited laboratory equipped for testing of such insulators in the world.

These insulators have a special material composition to perform reliably under HVDC voltages and are also required to have different profiles to perform well under polluted conditions, which is one of the most critical requirements of HVDC applications.

BHEL has developed these insulators after conducting several experiments in India and abroad over the last three years. The design has also been patented. The testing, at STRI, was carried out in three phases and the final phase was completed in December, 2008. The Disc Insulators are envisaged to be manufactured totally with in-house technology and facilities at BHEL’s Electro Porcelains Division (EPD), Bangalore.

BHEL has established leadership in the high-tech area of Ceramic Technology for both HVDC as well as Ultra High Voltage Alternating Current (UHVAC) applications. Earlier, the country was largely dependent on a few foreign sources for higher rating Disc Insulators required for + 500 kV HVDC as well as 800 kV HVAC Transmission lines. BHEL is presently meeting all the insulator requirements for transmission lines, eliminating India’s dependence on costly imports.

In the overseas market, BHEL has exported ceramic insulators to several countries including UK, Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, Ghana, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nepal and Trinidad & Tobago.