Government Engineering College
Sreekrishnapuram
Department of
Electrical Engineering
INDUSTRIAL VISIT
REPORT
POWER GRID CORPORATION OF INDIA LIMITED
(PGCIL), BHIWADI
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Power Grid Corporation of India
Ltd. (PGCIL), Bhiwadi, for granting us the opportunity to visit their highvoltage
substation and HVDC converter station. This visit provided valuable practical
exposure to modern power transmission technology, grid stability mechanisms,
and HVDC systems.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr.Anil Sharma who guided us throughout the
visit, explaining the technical aspects of HVDC transmission, SCADA systems,
switchgear operations, and grid management. Their expertise and patience in
addressing our queries were truly commendable.
I am also deeply grateful to our faculty members and college administration at
Government Engineering College, Sreekrishnapuram, for organizing this visit
and giving us an opportunity to enhance our practical understanding of power
systems. Special thanks to Prof Vineetha Chellapan , Assistant. Proffessor
Faseen K and Assistant Proffessor Vipin Kumar for their constant support
and coordination.
Lastly, I would like to express my appreciation to Power Grid Corporation of
India Ltd. (PGCIL) and the Ministry of Power, Government of India, for their
commitment to advancing India’s power grid and making such learning
opportunities available for engineering students.
This visit has significantly enhanced our technical knowledge and industrial
exposure, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity.
Students
S8 EEE
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INTRODUCTION
Electricity is the backbone of modern civilization, and efficient power
transmission is essential for ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted electricity
supply. The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) plays a crucial role
in managing India's high-voltage transmission network, ensuring the seamless
flow of electricity across regions. As part of our curriculum, we had the
opportunity to visit the PGCIL Bhiwadi HVDC substation, which is a critical
component of India’s power infrastructure. This visit provided valuable insights
into high-voltage power transmission, grid interconnection, and the role of
HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) technology in reducing transmission
losses over long distances.
The primary objective of this industrial visit was to gain first-hand exposure to
substation operations, HVDC transmission, and SCADA-based monitoring
systems. We explored various components such as converter transformers,
thyristor valves, circuit breakers, and switchgear, which are essential for
maintaining grid stability. Additionally, we learned about fault protection
mechanisms, load dispatching, and real-time grid automation. The visit also
highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of advanced transmission
technologies like HVDC, which enable efficient long-distance power transfer
with minimal energy loss.
This visit was particularly relevant to electrical engineering students, as it
allowed us to observe the practical applications of theoretical concepts related
to power systems, protection devices, and grid synchronization. By interacting
with industry experts and witnessing live operations, we were able to bridge the
gap between classroom learning and industrial practices, enhancing our
understanding of modern power transmission infrastructure.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL), commonly known as Power
Grid, is a central public sector undertaking (CPSU) under the Ministry of
Power, Government of India. Established in 1989, PGCIL is responsible for
managing India's high-voltage power transmission network, ensuring the
efficient and reliable transmission of electricity across the country.
Headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, the company owns and operates
approximately 85% of India’s interstate and interregional power transmission
system, playing a key role in maintaining grid stability and energy security.
PGCIL’s core functions include the construction, operation, and maintenance of
high-voltage transmission lines and substations, as well as the integration of
renewable energy sources into the national grid. The company has successfully
developed advanced transmission technologies, including Ultra High Voltage
(UHV) AC and DC transmission systems, High Voltage Direct Current
(HVDC) projects, and Smart Grid solutions. It also operates National and
Regional Load Dispatch Centres using SCADA-based automation systems for
real-time monitoring and efficient power distribution.
With a vast infrastructure, PGCIL manages over 1,75,000 circuit kilometres of
transmission lines and substations with a transformation capacity exceeding
5,00,000 MVA. Some of its landmark projects include the North-East Agra
±800 kV HVDC Transmission Link, one of the world’s longest multi-terminal
HVDC projects, and the Green Energy Corridors, which support large-scale
renewable energy integration. The company has also played a crucial role in the
successful implementation of the "One Nation, One Grid" initiative, unifying
India’s five regional grids into a single synchronized network.
In addition to domestic operations, PGCIL has undertaken international projects
in Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, strengthening cross-border power exchange.
The company continues to focus on grid modernization, smart transmission
technologies, and AI-driven power management to enhance efficiency and
reduce transmission losses. Through its commitment to technological
advancement and sustainability, PGCIL remains a key pillar of India's power
sector, driving economic growth and ensuring a stable and reliable electricity
supply for the nation.
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SECTIONS VISITED AND
TECHNICAL LEARNINGS
During our visit to Power Grid Bhiwadi, we explored various critical sections
involved in high-voltage power transmission and grid management. Each
section provided in-depth technical insights into how electricity is transmitted,
protected, and monitored in a large-scale power network. This section
highlights our key learnings from the visit, focusing on HVDC substations,
switchyard operations, SCADA systems, and grid interconnections.
HVDC Substation & Converter Station
The HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) substation and converter station play
a crucial role in long-distance power transmission by efficiently converting
alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for transmission and then back to
AC at the receiving end. During the visit, we observed key components
essential for HVDC operation. The converter transformers step up or step down
the voltage levels required for AC-DC conversion, ensuring compatibility with
the transmission system. Thyristor valves, which are semiconductor-controlled
rectifiers, perform the actual conversion of AC to DC and vice versa, enabling
efficient control of power flow. Smoothing reactors help minimize current
fluctuations in DC transmission, ensuring stable and continuous power flow.
Filter banks are used to eliminate harmonics generated during the conversion
process, maintaining power quality. Additionally, ground electrodes are
implemented for safety, providing a stable reference point and dissipating
excess current during faults. The key takeaway from this section is that HVDC
technology significantly reduces power transmission losses over long distances,
enhances grid stability, and enables the efficient integration of renewable
energy sources into the power system.
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Switchyard & Circuit Breakers
The switchyard is a critical part of a power transmission system, serving as the
interface between power generation and distribution networks. It consists of
essential high-voltage equipment that regulates power flow and ensures the
stability of the grid. During the visit, we explored two major types of
switchgear: Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) and Gas Insulated Switchgear
(GIS). AIS is the conventional type, using open-air as an insulation medium,
which requires a large space and is more affected by environmental conditions.
In contrast, GIS uses sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) gas for insulation, making it a
compact and highly reliable alternative, especially in space-constrained areas.
We also studied various types of circuit breakers, which are essential for fault
protection and grid safety. SF₆ circuit breakers use gas for arc quenching,
providing fast and efficient fault isolation. Vacuum circuit breakers (VCB) rely
on a vacuum chamber to extinguish the arc and are commonly used in medium
voltage systems. Oil circuit breakers (OCB), though now less common, use oil
to absorb and extinguish arcs during faults. Additionally, we observed
protective relays, which detect faults and trigger circuit breakers to prevent
large-scale failures. This section highlighted the importance of protection
systems in ensuring grid stability, minimizing damage to equipment, and
preventing prolonged power outages.
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SCADA & Remote Monitoring System
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is an advanced automation
system used for real-time monitoring and control of power grid operations. At
the facility, we observed how SCADA integrates with sensors and control units
to collect data from substations, transmission lines, and power stations. This
system allows grid operators to monitor voltage levels, power flows, frequency
variations, and fault conditions from a central control room. The visit also
provided insights into how load dispatch centres use SCADA for grid
synchronization, ensuring that power demand is balanced with supply. A key
function of SCADA is fault detection and isolation, which helps prevent
blackouts by identifying system failures and redirecting power accordingly.
Additionally, SCADA facilitates remote operation of circuit breakers and
transformers, reducing manual intervention and improving system reliability.
We also observed the integration of automation and artificial intelligence (AI)
in SCADA, which helps predict system failures and optimize energy
distribution..
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Power Flow Analysis & Grid Interconnection
Power flow analysis is essential for ensuring the stability and efficiency of an
interconnected electrical grid. During the visit, we studied how power is
transmitted across different regions, specifically the interconnection between
India’s Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern (NEWS) grids. The grid
interconnection allows power to be transferred between regions based on
demand variations, ensuring a stable electricity supply across the country. We
also observed how load balancing and frequency control are managed to
maintain grid stability. The use of Automatic Generation Control (AGC) plays a
key role in adjusting power generation in real-time to match load fluctuations.
Another crucial aspect of power flow analysis is the concept of reactive power
management, where devices like Static VAR Compensators (SVC) and
capacitor banks are used to regulate voltage levels and improve power factor.
The integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power into
the national grid was another important topic we explored, as it requires
advanced grid management techniques to handle intermittent generation
patterns. The key learning from this section was that effective power flow
management and interregional grid interconnections are critical for maintaining
a stable, efficient, and resilient electricity transmission network across the
country.
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CONCLUSION
The visit to Power Grid Bhiwadi provided valuable insights into the functioning
of high-voltage power transmission systems, grid management, and modern
automation technologies. We gained a deeper understanding of HVDC
technology, which enables efficient long-distance transmission with minimal
losses. The exploration of switchyards and circuit breakers highlighted the
importance of fault protection and grid stability. The SCADA system
demonstrated how automation and remote monitoring enhance operational
efficiency, while power flow analysis emphasized the role of grid
Interconnection in ensuring a balanced and reliable electricity supply across the
country.
This industrial visit helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and
real-world applications, reinforcing key electrical engineering concepts. The
advancements in power transmission technology, coupled with automation and
renewable energy integration, are crucial for the future of the power sector. The
experience gained from this visit will undoubtedly contribute to our academic
and professional growth in the field of electrical engineering
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