Siemens and Sumitomo Electric win order for transmission project in India

A consortium between Siemens and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. has been awarded an HVDC order from Indian transmission operator Power Grid Corporation of India to supply a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system.

The about 200 km long HVDC connection will be India’s first DC link featuring voltage-sourced converter (VSC) technology. VSC is the latest innovation in HVDC technology offering a very stable and highly flexible reactive power control independent of active power control and additional features to support the AC systems like blackstart capability.

Furthermore, this solution is ideal to be combined with XLPE cable technology. Siemens will be supplying two converter stations with two parallel converters, each rated 1000 MW, featuring its VSC HVDC technology while Sumitomo Electric will be responsible for the XLPE HVDC cable system in the DC circuit. The combined order volume for Siemens and Sumitomo Electric is approximately US$520 million. The grid connection is scheduled to go into operation in the first half of 2020.

Ralf Christian, CEO at Siemens Energy Management, stated:

"We are proud to announce that this project will be the first HVDC link in India featuring VSC technology. Latest innovations will help achieving ambitious grid programs, like the "24 x 7 Power for all" initiative of India’s Ministry of Power, to meet the growing power demand."

The Pugalur-Trichur ±320 kV HVDC system will connect Pugalur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu to Trichur in Kerala State in South-West India. The Trichur converter station will be connected via underground XLPE HVDC cable to a transition station also being built by Siemens. Sumitomo Electric's DC-XLPE cable has unique characteristics among industries to maximize utilization of HVDC system, enabling normal operation temperature at 90 degree, which is suitable for the hybrid system with bulk power overhead line.

Sumitomo Electric will supply a 128 km XLPE HVDC cable system comprising four cables for a route of 32 km each. From the converter station at Pugalur power will be transmitted via an overhead line to the transition station. The Siemens scope of supply for the turnkey project encompasses design, engineering, supply, installation as well as commissioning and major equipment supplies of the complete HVDC stations, including converter valves, transformers, cooling systems and control and protection technology.

Sumitomo Electric of Japan and Siemens have entered into a cooperation agreement to collaborate in the field of HVDC transmission for selected projects to combine the innovative technologies of both parties. The partnership of Siemens with its recent achievements in DC converter technology and Sumitomo Electric, a pioneer in developing HVDC cables with cross linked polyethylene insulation, aims to provide optimized customer tailored solutions to enhance performance capabilities in the field of HVDC transmission systems.

Mirko Düsel, CEO of Transmission Solutions at Siemens Energy Management, stated: 

"With this project, Siemens will increase its local presence by expanding its engineering and manufacturing capability for HVDC technology in India. Furthermore we are glad to partner with Sumitomo Electric to contribute to the continuous support of stable energy supply and economic development in India."

Masaki Shirayama, Managing Executive Officer at Sumitomo Electric, states:

"We are pleased to announce this innovative partnership which accommodates the needs of the growing HVDC transmission system market, and we believe this cooperation between technology leaders, Siemens and Sumitomo Electric, will strengthen both company’s capability to provide state-of-the-art HVDC solutions to the customers worldwide."

The new transmission link will support major initiatives of India's Ministry of Power to achieve '24 x7 Power for all' in the country. By bringing in new technology Siemens and Sumitomo Electric will help in achieving this ambitious grid program to meet India's growing power demand.