— Dr. Sadananda B., Managing Director,
Standard Transformers Pvt Ltd
Karnataka-based
Standard Transformers is engaged in manufacture
of power and distribution transformers. It has also diversified into
the EPC contracting space.
discusses his
company's activities in detail and also gives keen insights into
several pressing issues in the transformer industry. While regarding
the mandatory star-labeling for distribution transformers as a good
move, he feels that procurement policies of state power utilities still
need fine-tuning. An interview by
Venugopal Pillai.
At the outset, tell us about your Manipal transformer
manufacturing plant and the various types of transformers
produced by your company.
Established in 1988 and ISO-certified in 2003, Standard
Transformers is a private limited company engaged in
manufacture and testing of transformers in the voltage class
from 11kV to 132kV and rating from 10KVA to 40MVA. Our
Manipal unit commenced production in 1988. Till 2001, we were
manufacturing oil cooled and dry type distribution
transformers in voltage class of 11kV and 22kV, voltage
regulators and rectifiers for electroplating, anodizing,
hydrogenation and zinc extraction.
Given the major investment outlay in the country's power T&D
sector, are you planning any capacity expansion?
In 2001, we upgraded our facilities at Manipal for manufacturing
and testing transformers up to 132kV/40MVA and set up
additional unit at Canacona, Goa for manufacturing distribution
transformers. Around a decade of experience in the distribution
transformer field gave us the confidence to enter the intermediate
voltage class of up to 132kV.
The first 110kV delta-connected 10MVA power transformer was
supplied to KPTCL through turnkey contractor Crompton Greaves
Ltd, Nasik. Though we have so far supplied only few 33kV, 66kV
and 110kV class power transformers to utilities over the past ten
years, all of them are performing well till date with zero per cent
failure rate. However, given that the life expectancy of 20-30 years
for power transformers, this may be a premature evaluation!
Speaking of capacity expansion, we currently have no plans.
What is your view on the mandatory BEE certification for
distribution transformers that has come into effect from January
2010? Do you think the overall efficiency of distribution
transformers has improved?
We appreciate and fully support the BEE Certification that has
come effect from January 2010. Though India's power generation
and transmission infrastructure has seen phenomenal growth,
the distribution sector has been badly neglected. India's T&D
losses are 30-40 per cent compared to the world average of 8 per
cent. As much as 70 per cent of the country's T&D losses are
contributed by distribution transformers.
Strict enforcement on use of star-rated transformers by
discoms and other utilities can reduce transformer losses. Use of
more distribution transformers, especially at load centres to
maintain uniform voltage, feeder separation in rural distribution
system, use of auto-reclosers, avoiding use of under-sized
conductors, minimizing radially-laid 11kV and 0.4kV distribution
lines, etc, can drastically reduce distribution losses apart from
transformer losses.
I must add here that AT&C loss measurement at feeder is
better measure of the overall efficiency of the distribution
losses. Here, we take into account power theft, un-metered
agricultural load, etc. MESCOM, our local power distribution
utility, has effectively implemented many of these measures
and losses of their system are much below the national
average.
The steel ministry is in the process of making it mandatory to use
only BIS-certified electrical steel (CRGO). What is your opinion?
Electrical grade CRGO is not manufactured in India. Lot of second
grade electrical steel was being used in distribution transformers
in the past contributing to higher losses. The steel ministry's move
in this direction is highly appreciated. Though electrical prime
steel is imported, the current CRGO requirement from developed
countries is minimal. Thus there might not be shortage in the
international market.
State government power utilities are your major clients. What is
your view on the L1 procurement policy?
State governments depend on e-tendering for procurement of
materials like transformers. Usually it is a two part tender. In Part-
1, the technical bid is opened and evaluation is done about
tenderer. Proper evaluation of vendors like infrastructure
availability, quality of the technical team, feedback on
performance and service can be done at this stage. After this,
eligible suppliers are selected. If strictly adhered to norms, the L1
procurement system is a good system but utilities accepting L1
bidders that quote lower than "Schedule of Rates" of utilities is
paradoxical!
Perhaps due to this, there is a very unhealthy competition in the
Indian market and lot of compromise done on the quality.
Still, do you find any change in the procurement policies of state
government utilities after the trifurcation of erstwhile state
electricity boards?
Yes, there has been a gradual change in procurement policies and
it is in the positive direction.
Tell us about the projects division of Standard Transformers. What
type of services to you offer?
The Project Division of our company was established in 2003
for execution of substation projects in the 33kV to 132kV class.
The first 66/11KV station incorporating two Standard
Transformer-make power transformers was established for
KPTCL at Kanakapura, Bangalore, in the same year.
Please summarize your business strategy over the next
4-5 years.
Presently we are manufacturing distribution transformers mainly
for discoms and private utilities. We would also continue making
power transformers of up to 132kV class but for a select customer
base. We would also like to concentrate on redesign and
retrofitting of power transformers.
Given that India's transformer base will substantially expand in
the coming years, how do you see the prospects of transformer
repairs emerging as a specialized service?
More than half of the power transformers in India have been in
operation for over 25 years. Considering the average life of a
transformer to be around 25 years, in normal operation, it is
essential to carry out repair and retrofit on transformers
whilst they are in service condition rather than when they fail.
This can extend the life of a transformer—technically and
economically.
Viable repair and retrofit solution can be attained after
recording all parameters of transformers under service. All
original parameters of a transformer can be maintained as there
is only replacement of winding as per the existing design, and new
transformer oil. If there is a redesign or change in parameters, it
is for better performance.
Repaired and fully retrofitted transformers are economical than
new transformers with both having same life expectancy.