BHEL becomes sole supplier in the world for high-rating Disc Insulators for 800 kV High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Lines

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has become the only supplier in the world for 420 kN and 320 kN Porcelain Disc Insulators for application in + 800 kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission Lines. 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.

The Final Test Certificate was handed over at STRI, Sweden, recently, by Mr. B.P. Rao, Director (IS&P), BHEL to Mr. S. Mazumdar, Director (Projects), PowerGrid in the presence of Mr. Dan Wikstrom, President, STRI.

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.

These insulators will be used in the first-ever + 800 kV HVDC Transmission Line of PowerGrid from Biswanath Chiryaly 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.

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 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.

In the transmission sector, BHEL has also established HVDC technology for efficient and reliable transmission of bulk power over long distances. The company achieved a major milestone in this area with the successful commissioning of the 1500 MW + 500 kV Chandrapur Padghe HVDC project. BHEL has also successfully upgraded the country's first National HVDC transmission project between Barsoor in Madhya Pradesh and Lower Sileru in Andhra Pradesh.