Paradigm, Apr-Jun 2022

Volume 1, Issue 2

Apr - Jun 2022

THE PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL OF WBPDCL

BkTPS Dam

1

STPS Powerhouse

3

Content

Editorial Chanchal Goswami 01
Mining 02
HR&A Advancement in Mining Technologies: 08
R&M Project Implementation in Amlohri Area 12
WBREDA 21
Partha Sarathi Chatterjee 24
F&A 29
WBSERC Labour Law: its importance in latest trend of HR 32
Civil-OPH 42
EM-IPH Arundhati Bandyopadhyay 44
Turbine 48
COP26 : Holistic approach to meet the climate 52
C&I challenge 57
Turbine
Turbine Joy Chakraborty, Shreya Karmakar & Reema Ghosh

EV with PV & IoT: Journey from Kolkata

Arpita Maji

Integration of variable RE and it’s implecation
on thermal power tariff

Kaustav Rajpandit

A glimpse of electricity tariff from the perspective
of WBPDCL

Debasish Das

Experience related to Construction and
Maintenance of Ash Pond

Swarup Kumar Mukhopadhyay & Somak Mitra

GT-3 at KTPS : Stepping in to a new epoch

Hiranmay Palui

Air is the gamechanger for reducing BTPS Turbine
tripping

Arup Mondal

METSO DNA DCS : arduous road travelled by
SgTPP.

Nirmalya Paul

Case Study : Unit 5, BkTPS Fire Hazard and LP
Turbine Outer Casing Deformation

Arghya Kanti Kar

A brief report on 1st capital OH of 500MW KWU
turbine of SgTPP #4

Editorial Team

Executive Director Sri Chanchal Goswami
Patrons Sri Aroop Biswas

Chief Advisor Minister-in-Charge
Dept. of Power, Youth Services & Sports, GoWB
Advisors
Janab Akhruzzaman
Editor-in-Chief
Minister-of-State, Dept. of Power, GoWB
Editorial Board
Sri S. Suresh Kumar, IAS
Associate Editor
Published by Additional Chief Secretary, Dept. of Power, GoWB

Dr. P. B. Salim, IAS

Chairman & Managing Director, WBPDCL

Sri Deb Kumar Gupta

Director (F&A & Company Secretary), WBPDCL

Sri Soumitra Sankar Sengupta

Director (HR), WBPDCL

Sri Asit Kumar Mukherjee

Director (Projects), WBPDCL

Sri Utpal Bhadra

CVO & Ex Officio Director, WBPDCL

Sri Subhasis Ghosh

Director (Operation & Maintenance), WBPDCL

Sri Kausik Datta

Executive Director (OS), WBPDCL

Sri Susnata Aich

Executive Director, (FM)

Sri Indranath Chatterjee

Executive Director (F&A), WBPDCL

Sri Samir Chandra Roy

Executive Director (Projects & Planning), WBPDCL

Smt Arundhati Bandyopadhyay

General Manager (R&M), WBPDCL

Sri Ashim Ray Chowdhury

Deputy General Manager (Corp Comm), WBPDCL

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5

BkTPS powerhouse

Editorial

The per capita power consumption is one of the indicators to
measure a country’s development. Thus the power demand
is in perfect synchrony as advancement of mankind . And
we, the generating agencies are leaping forward to diminish
the demand-supply disagreement. But every technology
has its own pros and cons. The generating stations are
also facing a major challenge to reduce their negative
impact on environment in terms of carbon footprint. It
is now a struggle for existence. Environment friendly
renewable resources are day by day sharing a remarkable
chunk of total generation. Older stations are also adopting
fresh technology to mitigate environmental challenges.
Exchange of facts and figures will help us to remain in
line to this continuous process. PARADIGM, the quarterly
professional journal is our fascinating telescopic eye for this
purpose.This “issue“ is only the 2nd step towards our zenith.
We are inviting suggestions from each and every one of
our family to nourish this toddler. Along with the hardcore
technical team we need the support of our Human resource
& development, Finance, Medicos and Teachers for every
development.
WBPDCL had found a niche in Indian power scenario
from the black area of mining to capturing sunshine in the
renewable energy sector. We hope the triumph will continue
and many more pathbreaking experiences will be shared in
this platform.
Progress and sustainability are not a contradiction but
complement that we are committed to prove to our coming
generation through every footstep.
Festive smells are in air. Entire Bengal will soon be decked
up in lights to celebrate a carnival of colours. We will be
happy to provide our service to the nation in these bright
days. Editorial team is extending their heartfelt wishes to
the community for this intangible cultural heritage. Please
enjoy your own and pass on the excess to others.

1

Mining

Advancement in Mining Technologies
Project Implementation in Amlohri Area:
4 MT per annum to 14 MT per annum

Chanchal Goswami INTRODUCTION:
Director (Mining), WBPDCL Singrauli Coalfields, covering an area of about 2202
Did graduation in Mining from ISM sq Km is at present the biggest source of Pit- head
Dhanbad. Joined Central Coalfields Ltd coal for power generation in the country. It is located
in 1984. Completed post-graduation in mainly in Singrauli District of Madhya Pradesh. And
Open Cast Mining Technology from the a small part of about 80 sq km is in Sonebhadra
same Institute. Served Coal India Ltd. at District of Uttar Pradesh. The Kachni river divides the
coalfield into two parts viz, the major South - Western
different capacities for 38 years. After part (Main Basin) and a smaller North Eastern Part
retirement from BCCL as the Director called the Moher Sub- Basin, which covers an area
(Technical), joined WBPDCL in 2022. of about 312 sq.km. and contains large reserves
of quarriable coal. Due to occurrence of flat, thick
Abstract and multiple seams, the area has become of great
The original feasibility Report importance as far as, coal and power are concerned.
for Amlohri Opencast Project
Amlohri Block is located in the South -Western part of
(4MT/a) was prepared by Moher Basin of Singrauli Coalfields. Moher Block lies
CMPDIL in April’82 for a capital on its West & Nigahi Block in East. Amlohri Project, is
investment of Rs. 32.32 crores named after Amlohri Village located just outside the
South - Western corner of the Block. Amlohri Block
and sanctioned by Govt. of stands out as a high plateau over the Talchir plain in
India in June’82. The RCE the South. The Plateau rises to a maximum height
was prepared by CMPDIL in of 440 m above MSL. There is a prominent South
September 1989 for an amount and East-facing escarpment running almost along
of Rs. 527.11 crores and the the southern and eastern boundaries of the block.
same was sanctioned by Govt The escarpment of the western side, is steeper in
of India in Sept 1990. The comparison to the southern escarp face. The incrop
project started its operation in of Turra, Purewa Bottom & Purewa Merged seams
1983-84. It achieved 3.45 MTs are mostly preserved along this escarpment. The
of coal production (86.25% of escarpment rises from an elevation of 325m at the
capacity during the year 92-93). base to around 470m on the top of the plateau. The
The paper covers the journey escarp face is cut across by numerous nallas leading
of the Amlohri Project from 4 to a very rugged terrain.
MT per annum in 1993-94 to 10 The drainage within the block is controlled by number
MT per annum in 2016-17 and of seasonal streams flowing mainly towards South,
14 MT per annum in 2021-22. which in turn are connected to the Amjhar Nallah in
The paper also focuses on the the east & other prominent feeder nallah to Kachani
challenges and bottlenecks in River in the west. Only a part of the run-off in the
the midway of implementation northern most area is discharged into a nallah, which
flows towards north and meets Gorbi Nallah.
of the project.

Mining

PRODUCTION BUILD UP VISA-VIS ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST EPR TARGETS:
PRODUCTION SINCE INCEPTION

TIMELINE AND MILESTONES OF PROJECT:
Milestones of Amlohri Project A Joumey from 4 MT to 14 MT

The original feasibility Report for Amlohari OCP project EPR for Amlohri OCP with
(4 MTPA) was prepared by CMPDIL April’82 for a capital a rated capacity of 10MTPA
investment of Rs. 32.32 crores approved by NC Board for a
APRIL 1982 capital investment of
Rs. 1905.27 crores
RCE was prepared by CMPDIL for December 2003
an amount of Rs. 527.11 crores
SEPT. 1989 EC for 14 MT
Sept. 2015 Commissioning
RCE sanctioned by of New CHP (6 MTPA)
Govt of India
August 2013 Commissioning
Sept. 1990 of HMB-14
Dragline

Jan 2016

1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012

Amlohri Project Approval of 10 MT by GOI Commissioning of
started its May 2016 HIMB-13 Dragline
operation 15 May 2014
Detailing of Approved Techno Economics
Feb. 1984 of Amlohri Opencast Project (10MTPA 10MTPA Project
was submitted by CMPDIL (Additional OB report completed
Feasibility Report outsourcing with Draglines departmental March 2016
sanctioned by Govt. for an additional capital of 1143.54 crores.)
of India August 2011

June 1982 4MTPA Project Report completed at a capital expenditure of
Rs. 423.78 crores with balance activities
March 1993

3

TRANSITION FROM 4 MTPA TO 10 MTPA: Mining
There were three major milestones for the project
implementation in the midway of transition of The delay in commissioning has also hampered
Amlohri Project from 4 MTPA to 10 MTPA- less production from Turra seam. Due to poor
1. Erection of 3 Nos of Draglines 24/88m Turra evacuation there is a shortage of internal
2. Commissioning of Phase -II CHP for handling dump space.
b) Commissioning of Phase -II CHP for
additional 6MTPA handling additional 6MTPA:
3. Railway siding for handling additional A full-fledged Coal Handling Plant of 10MTPA
Capacity is envisaged for Amlohri OCP.
despatch, other than RhTPS. Phase-I: 4 MTPA Capacity (Existing and in
The project faced difficulties due to delay in operation since 1994
commissioning of draglines by M/S HEC. Even Phase-II: 6 MTPA Capacity (Additional)
after commissioning the performance of HEC There was a slight delay in commissioning of
draglines have not been upto the mark. CHP, but old crusher utilization was increased at
a) Erection of 3 Nos of Draglines 24/88m: dispatches were achieved during the production
First dragline 1820 (Akshay) was commissioned build up.
on 01/07/1993, Amlohri Project was then of 4 c) Railway siding for handling additional
MT. HMB-13 (Abhimanyu) and HMB-14 (Ajay) despatch, other than RhTPS.
were commissioned on 09/05/14 and 25/01/2016 In the meantime, Railway siding work has started
respectively. by M/S Rites. Meanwhile the project acquired EC

Delivery &

SL Equipment Erection Remarks Loss in Coal Production @ 1.5 L
Te/ month
No Description Schedule as per

Supply Order

1 HMB-13 30.12.2012 Commissioned on 27 L Te
2 HMB-14 28.03.2014 09.05.2014 28.5 LTe
3 HMB-15 28.03.2015 15 L Te
Delay : 18 months

25.01.2016
Delay: 19 months
Only base and A

frame ready
Delay: 28 months till

date

for 14 MTPA in Sept’15 from MOEFCC and Consent Mining
to Establish from MPPCB, Bhopal and the targets
for 2015-16 has been revised to 10.5 MT. d)Abnormally higher advance of benches above
TRANSITION FROM 10 MTPA to 14 MTPA: Purewa seam in eastern section of Amlohri Mine
A 3 year comprehensive plan was prepared by RI- (850 m of Purewa corridor has been created instead
VI, CMPDIL (2017-18 to 2019-20) with Coal Targets of maximum requirement of 220 m) coupled with
12 MT, 13 MT and 14 MT respectively. relatively poor advance of these benches of Nigahi
A pioneer project of winning boundary coal west section.
between Amlohri and Nigahi Boundary helped for Extension of cut in 2017-18 was done after
the transition of Project from 10 MTPA to 14 MTPA. Nigahi project diverted then existing Haul Road
Also the task was to tackle with the problem of which was at about 45 m above Purewa seam to
Actue dump space and better sales realization. Easternside of Amlohri from the Nigahi dump.
a) Winning Boundary Coal & Maximising Firstly a zero Barrier in Purewa was achieved and
Extraction of Coal Reserve: the turra seam was extended 70m and then 150m
Approx. 20 MT (13 MT in Turra Seam and 7 MT in in subsequent cuts.
Purewa Seam) of coal was locked up in intermine B) Acute Dump Space Problem:
boundary between Amlohri and Nigahi mine. Till the deployment of second dragline, due to
The main reasons for locking up of coal reserve in poor availability of 1820 (Akshay) dragline, Turra
intermine boundary have been: was not extracted in the proportion of Purewa. (ie.
8.20% Turra extraction inYear 2013-14 and 11.62%
inYear 2014-15).
Since 2013-14 to 2017-18,There was a huge backlog

a) Maintaining Intermine boundary at the surface of 11.63 MT in extraction of bottom seam Turra,
instead of Turra seam floor level. as compared to EPR and the same being made
b)Constraint of dumping space in both the mines. by advancement in upper benches by excavating
c)Raising the level of boundary haul-road by additional 12.17 MT Purewa.
dumping to reduce the weighted average lead In lieu of the problems of acute dump space and
and lift for external outsourcing dump in both the poor percentage of Turra extraction, Dragline
mines. bench was considered 27 Ms to expedite Turra
extraction.

5

Further against planned 45% extraction in PR, the Mining
same has been revised to more than 55% to make
up the lag in the last couple of years due to delay 2017-18, 54.24% Portion of Annual Production was
in New Dragline erection and commissioning. In Turra. In 2018-19, Till date the percentage of Turra
is 55.00%

YEAR WISE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:

Mining

Safety Performances: are being integrated into all areas of the
Given the challenges and risks ­facing the industries Mine. If we are to continue on our path to success,
in which we operate, maintaining a safe it is important that we establish active
work environment must always be a top priority. and visible leadership, a knowledge-sharing
To emphasize our strong focus on this culture, strong communication and consistent
area, we have established a “Zero Harm” vision. accountability.
This involves­f­inding ways to more Despite a significant improvement to the Area’s
efficiently coordinate and standardize ­various Injury f­ requency rate in recent years, safety always
activities between the business areas, as well remains a top priority. Amlohri mine was awarded
as driving innovation in the area. Safety activities as the Safest Mine 2017 along with 4 other safety
awards.
Achievement & Growth:

7

HR&A

Labour Law: its importance in latest trend of HR.

Partha Sarathi Prologue:
Chatterjee For doing business with ease the Central government
has consolidated Twenty Nine (29) central industrial
General Manager (HR&A), WBPDCL laws into four (4) codes. This attempt of the central
Having more than 32 years experience Government was initiated for tuning in labour
in HR & IR field in Industries ranging laws with the business growth of the country.
from heavy engineering, construction, India has become a part of global business hub
logistics, chemical, foundry, IT, plastic & and to attract FDI, it is felt that simplification of
power. Being associated with different compliances for labour laws is essential. Initially the
attempt was to consolidate 44 Central industrial
HR forums. National committee laws but it is restricted to 29 labour laws. The point
member of ISTD. Wide exposures in which crops up particularly in this current century
various fields of IR & contractor Labour whether codification of central industrial laws is
management. Passionate about labour really essential or not. The question also comes up
in the mind as to whether existing labour laws have
laws & certified trainer. actually contributed to the interest of stakeholders
for which those were enacted. It is the known fact
Abstract that B- schools of Management have discarded
labour laws from the curriculum of Post graduation
The look & feel of the codes in Management.
appear as an act of consolidation As all of us are aware that industries are now shedding
manpower or discontinuing its business without
rather than reform. However following procedural formalities as enshrined in the
labour codes bring about certain labour laws. It is the weak footing of trade union that
workers are divided under different vested groups.
changes in labour laws that The importance of trade unions is also sinking day by
indicate changes in thought day and vested interest groups locality wise or area
process. People at work strive to wise are filling up the role of the trade union.
achieve meaningful objectives. A new trend is noticeable that unionization of
The role of HR is shifting from permanent employees are gradually decreasing.
serving employees to serving More unionization of contractor labours is taking
multiple stake holders. The sought shape. Apart from that, localized problems related
after skill set of HR people is to land, employment are taken up by political
undergoing revolutionary changes leadership. The Union is failing to address such issue.
where application of HR practices This is a threatening trend. To mitigate this trend, a
are becoming more prominent comprehensive IR/HR approach is to be developed
rather than rule book application. that may not be in line with the defined track of
A compassionate workplace applicable rules and laws.
which is the need of the time Such vested groups have no inkling of ideas about
requires a conscious, organization trade union movement and are throwing up challenge
wide effort.HR plays leading to the running of industries. In the pandemic era,
role in interpreting this classical industries have experienced a severe downfall in
change over of business strategy business and have organized themselves by way of
through its innovative measures relocation of business or reducing the size of the
with less prejudices, more workforce and a lot of employed people have lost
maturity, fairness & objectivity. their employment.
“The greatest danger in times of Whether the employer has taken advantage of the
turbulence is not the turbulence, situation?
it is to act with yesterday’s logic”- The plight of migratory workers was the headline of
the newspaper. How many of them have lost their
Peter Drucker. lives and what a suffering they have faced? No one
cited provision of labour laws that are applicable to

them, particularly, Inter State Migratory Workers HR&A
Act. The most sufferers were those who were
engaged in the unorganized sector. the beneficial it is for contract labour as because its scope has
provision of social security Act was denied.The net widened after introduction of labour codes.
result is- Trust deficit and industries faced another This involves contractor workers in different
trouble of labour shortage when normalcy was platforms. The gig workers, platform workers
restored . have now come under the purview of labour.
Nowhere, compliances of labour laws are This indicates that this code has attempted to
followed or the government has maintained address this employment issues that is now ever
balance between the conflicting zone of industry expanding its role. In such contextual dimension,
and employment crisis. It is appreciable that legal compliance and dispute handling are really
the Central government has issued notification challenging because the traditional concept of
through different autonomous and statutory relationship of employer, employee or existence
bodies in respect of subsidizing ESI and PF of principal employer, immediate employer are
Conbtribution during the pandemic period. being withered away. Nowadays, it is heard of
A few social security schemes are introduced. The strike of Ola, Uber drivers. It is then the issue as to
appropriate Government be it central or state how to deal with such strike.HR needs continual
under the Disastrous Management Act 2015 have improvement in ideas to face the compelling
announced certain beneficial schemes for families situation and no definite boundary line of
who have suffered covid fatality during this period. resolution of dispute or grievance can be drawn
But again the question raises its head as to Even the basic functions of HR and IR are calling
how the compliances of labour laws are totally for more objective oriented interpretation and
bypassed during this period. Normally, as far as execution– This includes initiation of disciplinary
news available from all over India that permanent procedures, implementation of POSH Act,
employment is reducing. Every year there is 10 to redrawing of organization structure and planning
12 percent increase in permanent employment in of Manpower. Basically it is worthy noting that
the organized sector whereas there is 34 percent more imaginative views are essential while
increase in contractual employment either in the dealing with employee issues. Industrial relations
organized or non organized sector. The business are converting into Employee relations. No one
itself is reorganizing on this track and importance should take advantage of legal jurisprudence
of labour laws along with catena of legal cases are without realizing the objective for which those are
not yielding desired result, not for the survival of enacted .Unless, this is understood in clear terms,
the business or for the survival of the employees employment laws shall lose its weightage and shall
themselves. fail to accommodate the ever revisional aspiration
All those challenges are now leading to more of new age employees and also the sheer pressure
evolving role of HR fraternity. The perspective of societal hammering; the basic line of business
upon which IR or HR is so far practiced has orientation should never be missed.
changed. The scope of such changes are so wide Also the wider areas of HR cover training and
that HR fraternity now requires to ponder over development activities , upgradation of skill and
such evolution of HR practices by delivering knowledge and development of organization
an effective result for maintaining equilibrium culture through epmployee friend policies. Any
between the interest of the organization and role of HR fraternity needs appropriate support
employee. The post pandemic situation has given and direction from the higher level ofOrganisation.
us a learning that HR is not only for employee Otherwise, it is really difficult to sustain functioning
welfare, it is for human welfare. Contribution of of HR in this changed circumstances. When the
HR is expanding to family of the employees and motto of the Government as well as industries are
society. The different social welfare schemed to support and continue industrial functions for
launched by Government are endorsing this overcoming the losses that are already incurred
pragmatic role of HR. Therefore, it is the time to due to recessionary effect of pandemic, this newer
ask self who is working in the field of HR whether trend of HR ought to be appreciated..
the roles and responsibility performed so far When deliverables are becoming so important,
are really relevant in the context of changing result is the ultimate target. HR function cannot
parameters of economic struggle. be compartmentalized. Here lies the actual
This area covers application of knowledge in competence of HR fraternity to realize and to
a more pragmatic way not conforming to that initiate HR activities towards the right direction so
business application of laws and theories, whether that not only industry but society and government
are benefitted. It is the acknowledged fact that
this CSR has become an important aspect and a lot
of societal benefits are generated for successful

9

launching of CSR schemes. The generation of HR&A
profit by industries leads to societal growth and
this fact cannot be denied at this juncture. 1 Being Human
A few industries have embarked upon formulating
newer policies to combat the situational Acquiring and 2
compulsion and to inculcate trend setting appreciating
organizational culture. During the pandemic era, versatility in Caring with
Berger paints, TISCO, BAJAJ and so like have not skills empathy and
reduced salary/wage of employees, nor have they human touch
gone for reducing manpower. Newer schemes like 3
Work from home, concierge services for home
bound employees, medical insurances have been Team 4
introduced. Industries stood by the side of family orientation
members of employees Employment conditions
and services are amended accordingly. All those 5 Continuous
steps are not copied from books of industrial laws. Learning
Needs of stakeholders were addressed whereas
base foundation are made up of labour laws. All possessions, problems, pleasures, power
As enlightened, competent HR fraternity this is poverty, designatioins, titles etc. Whatever are
the call of the day to swim along the tide and can accumulated during life time are man made, only
rightly steer the organization towards attainment thing each one leaves here is the memories of
of revenue/profit-the fuel of growth engine. how much you have made a difference in creating
In doing so, compliance of labour laws so wide happiness or giving pleasures, solving problems,
in numbers and its interpretation have already making lives better
become infructuous. Though the Government It is the cultural change in the organisation that is
has tried to accommodate labour laws into codes to be carefully nurtured. Peter Drucker says that:-
but the practical aspect is clearly indicating
a more pragmatic revisioning of the subject. “Organizational culture eats strategy at
The application of the knowledge in the field is breakfast”. For failing organization, cultural
becoming more important rather than storing in mismatch is 80 percent responsible rather than
the brain. other factors.[ Business Manager, Nov 21 issues].
The labour codes what is introduced is not free HR should be people-centric beside employee-
from criticism. There are overlapping of definition, centred. Engagement of employee is the critical
somewhere they are not very clear in terms of success factor for HR rather than managing
interpretation. For example the definition of employees. This revisional approach denotes an
wages under the wage code is dubious. When the oceanic change in HR perspective. It calls for that
objective is to make the code for simplification, HR should have empathy and this is the most
this leads to more confusion. The post pandemic important trait that has emerged in this critical
era has set a new trend in the field of HR and it situation. Application of labour laws whether it is
should be based on delivering effective result maternity benefit Act or FACTORY Act or Shop
within stipulated time frame. This should be
realistic not jurgonistic. As per definition of wages
under wage code, 15% value of fringe benefits is to
be added to basic wage.This will have further spiral
effect of increased wage cost incidentally, causing
disturbance in the agreed wage package. The
employer is bound to pay higher contribution for
PF and gratuity raising the employee cost. The net
result is an increase in percentage of employment
in fixed terms or increase in employment in the
unorganized sector. The most important shift in
HR will have to be to shift from serving employee
to serving stakeholders, to extend HR net not to
employees but to their families, an ability to think
fast and come up with an agile solution, ability to
continuously be sensitive .The five qualities that
the new age HR should look for are:-

&..Establishment Act whatever should be tuned in HR&A
such a way that they support to the worthy role of
HR in this current era. by qualified and competent professionals and
So the difference that is noticeable is that labour this should be kept in mind that HR does not
laws are now aligned to the newer competencies mean only Administration and Establishment.
of HR Fraternity. Need of the employee, society, A total concept that is generated by HR in terms
customers are to be addressed with fairness rather of addition or deletion of cultural values, that
than practicing labour laws in secluded zone. are to be respected. Accommodating subsidiary
Alignment or synchronization has under scored functioning of HR can be streamlined towards
the employee value addition and competency attainment of one objective- growth of business
of HR functioning to be judged when such with alignment of employee engagement. A
synchronization got its desired result. report of your DOST “The changing landscape of
people managemen- An HR perspective” used on
Society a survey covering 250 HR professionals believe
that pandemic led to rise in the importance of HR
Labour Laws Labour Laws functions. The focus on employee well being is
among a few positive changes that the pandemic
Needs Organisation Needs has introduced.
This is the key differentiation between better
Employee Customer workplaces and those organization have earned
branded reputation that focused on healthier and
Needs happier workforce. There is all around pandemic
Labour Laws impact on the work force in terms of attrition
,new hire, employee engagement and how the
This area indicates that HR practices are to be organization tackled it, HR, first understands
well groomed and arranged in such a way that need for the positional spell that correctly
ultimate objective of the business is attained. onward. Employees’ priorities are changed now.
If there is any lacuna in realizing those finer Even this is the factor now being witnessed in
points then grievances will surface which shall the market of contractual employment. They
hinder the growth prospect of the organization. look for something in the organization and that
This emerging trend of HR should be handled something is the USP - HR most work upon. This
is the most reflecting line of inner realization not
surrounded by rule book boundary of labour laws
but draws the line of creative interpretation upon
the foundational bricks of new HR trend. Always
remember, weak leader does not do right thing
rather than doing things that is right for him. To
strive for emancipation from age old concept of
HR & embracing newer pastures of enlightenment
ought to be the mantra of HR Fraternity.

STPS Control Room

11

R&M

COP26 : Holistic approach to meet the climate challenge

Arundhati The Convention
Bandyopadhyay
The countries that signed the United Nations
General Manager FrameworkConvention onClimateChange (UNFCCC)
(Renovation & Modernisation), WBPDCL - a treaty agreed in 1994, formed the Conference of
the Parties (COP). Its 26th meeting (COP26) with an
Started career as HT Cable design agenda towards a better world to live was a 13 day
engineer at Fort Gloster Cables . long event from 31st Oct to 13th Nov, 2021.
Joined WBPDCL in 1991 at KTPP - C & I From the very 1st day of this year convention
department and was employed as Asst. a powerful demand was pressed by the young
Manager, Manager & Senior Manager generation - LET US LIVE. Apparently this convention
for a total span of 21 years. Then served invited such a gruesome conflict between developed
STPS as HOD (C & I) and SgTPP as DGM & developing country interests that one day
(C & I). Posted at the Corporate office extension of the convention was required to finalise
the resolution. This convention was otherwise going
from July 2022. to stamp a very narrow deadline to the coal fuelled
powers - ultimately allows the continuation of coal
Abstract fired power generation forever if plants capture and
It is the universal objective to store their emissions. A continuous strong current of
limit global warming of this emotions ultimately ended in tears in the eyes of Mr.
Alok Sharma, a British Conservative Party politician,
century within 1.5 degree the Honourable President of COP26, and an Indian
Celsius from pre- industrial by birth. He has to modify the ultimate resolution of
level. This requires fossil fuel this conference at the strong requirement of both the
based units to operate flexibly nations India & China.
and renewable sources to be Backdrop of COP26
accommodated substantially Paris agreement was signed in 2015 by 196 parties
keeping the grid stable and in COP21 to limit current century global warming
well within 2 degree Celsius (rather 1.5 degree to
reliable. remain optimistic) from pre-industrial level. The
corresponding limit of greenhouse gas concentration
in the atmosphere would allow enough stabilisation
time to the ecosystem to adapt naturally and enable
sustainable development. But it is felt in last few
years that if the exact way of mitigation, adaptation
& funding is not formulated, this target is hard to
achieve. Carbon trading can be a suggestion but not
a solution of this pressing danger. Santiago Network
was launched as per COP25 decision to catalyze
the technical assistance of relevant organisations
to address the issue in local, national and regional
level in developing countries that are particularly
vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
Pledge is taken to provide 100 billion dollars annually
from developed to developing countries. Now
UNFCCC, having a near universal membership of 197
parties, pressing strong to translate commitment
into rapid action. Nations are called upon to phase
down unabated coal power. Fossil fuel subsidies are
the biggest barriers hampering the worlds shift to
renewable energy sources.

Indian Scenario R&M
India’s Intended Nationally Determined
Contributions (INDC) include reduction in the other sources to ensure grid security and stability.
emission intensity of its GDP by 33% to 35 % Since thermal power plants are the base load units
within 2030 from 2005 level, and to create an of grid system operating at or near full load for
additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tons of long period of time, the responsibility of providing
CO2 equivalent. CEA planned to install 175 GW maximum flexible generation remains on them. It
renewable (RE) generation capacity by 2022. On is evident in local way that the policy of WDPDCL,
31st March 2022, India reached a very encouraging a coal major, must assist entire power system to
achievement of 109.885 GW; out of which, West ensure security, reliability & stability of electricity
Bengal contributed 586.95 MW . Rajasthan is grid for supplying affordable & reliable power to
the highest contributor having already installed the consumer while maximising generation of
17040.62 MW . In its current technological level, power from renewable sources and integration of
the popular RE sources, wind and solar, have the same into grid.
some unavoidable serious drawbacks related The Roadmap for Coal Fired Power
to their variability (output changes widely in an Addition of RE and flexing of coal are the two
uncontrollable and undesired way), intermittency concurrent roadmaps; The term flexibility was
(unintentionally remain unavailable for a long first introduced in power generation about 13
duration), predictability (correct forecast is years back. In a narrower sense International
not always possible) and dispatchability (very Energy Agency (IEA) redefined this as the extent
poor capacity to change output on demand). to which generation or demand can be increased
So integration of RE into the Indian electricity or reduced over a timescale ranging from a few
grid is an opportunity as well as a challenge. The minutes to several hours.
variability of solar & wind generation has to be 3 major areas are concentrated upon for achieving
taken care by supplying Flexible operation from required flexibility from source end -

1 TMhineiCmounmvelnotaidon
As per Indian Electricity Act 2003, technical minimum load of thermal unit
is 55%. So flexible power available from thermal plant in any day is about
45% of grid connected thermal capacity on that day. In the year 2021-22
till date highest available generation from RES was 108 GW which bench
marked thermal power plant requirement to operate at an average 25.73%
minimum load.

2 The Convention
Start up time
Typically for coal based power plants is 2-3 hrs for Hot , 3-5 hrs for Warm
& 5-10 hrs for Cold machine. This figure will be the deterministic factor for
partial loading or total shutdown during flexing. So this is the major area for
improvement.

3 Ramp rate
Normally 0.5% /min. Requirement is 3%/min or more for proper flexing.

13

R&M

WBPDCL Initiative
SGTPP U#3 was tested as a pilot for assessment of flexibility during June 2019 .
Plan was finalized as:
• Low load operation at 200 MW by gradually reducing the load from 275 MW to 200 MW and subsequently

raising the load to 275 MW gradually without CMC
• 1% load ramp tests between 275 MW and 500 MW
• 3% load ramp tests between 275 MW and 500 MW
• Ramp test carried out in load range of 275 – 500 MW in one shot
For safe unit operation allowable parameter variations are as tabulated :

PARAMETER DEVIATION LIMIT FROM SET POINT
Steam temperature 10-12 degC
5-7 kg/cm2
Throttle pressure 40-60 mm
Drum level 15-20 mmwc

Furnace Pressure

Test result of Pilot tests for load ramping at WBPDCLSagardighi # 3 on June 27, 2019 with ramp rate
achieved are tabulated below:

Sl no Ramp Ramp Load Load Target Target Start End Ramp
Test no target direc- set load load time time rate
tion point set change achieved
%/min point

1 T-1 Low load test at 40% TMCR 12:00 13:00 NA

2 T-2 3 Up 275 275 490 215 15:00 15:26 1.6

3 T-3 3 Down 490 490 275 215 16:15 16:31 2.6

4 T-4 1 Up 275 275 490 215 17:18 17:57 1.1

5 T-5 1 Down 490 490 275 215 18:30 19:33 0.66

R&M

Further observations :
SHO temp fluctuation was in the range of 70 degC
Turbine important metal temp fluctuation was in order of 22 degC.
RHO temp fluctuation was in the range of 33 degc.
Drum level variation observed up to 165 mm.
Excess oxygen variation at economiser outlet observed 3.8%.
TG vibration and other TSI parameters were in acceptable range.
Flame intensity was throughout healthy.
Test day Coal analysis result was FC 35%, VM 25%, Ash 36%.
During 40%TMCR operation FG temp at APH O/L dropped to 110 degC.
Instead of 3 , 4 Mill operation done during 40% TMCR .
Both TDBFP & both PA Fan remained in service throughout.

15

R&M

R&M
17

R&M

WBPDCL action plan R&M

From the pilot test observations it was clear that extent of parameter deviations will have added impact on
boiler life consumption during flexing. Thus areas of concern are identified. Here Control & Instrumentation
will play a pivotal role. For smooth drum level control at low load BFP recirculation valves to be made
proportional in place of on-off. Axial fan PA & FD are to run in a very low load but meeting all protections of
the individual equipment. Additional logics need to be incorporated to avoid stalling of FD & PA. Fine tuning
of SH & RH temperature control loops are essential. Auto cut in /cut off of Mills to be incorporated. A separate
set of Advance Process Control may be considered over and above the existing control system for a faster &
more precise response as per demand of the situation.

A considerable expenditure will be there for the retrofits for flexible operation as well as operational
expenditure will increase due to increase in Heat Rate, APC & SOC and due to reduction in life of components.
So challenge for thermal power will be tough to remain competitive unless and otherwise policies of specific
compensation is introduced. But whatever be the policy it is the high time to remain prepared for the need.

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today”

A recent study by the researchers at the University of Leeds in the UK estimated that the Himalayan Glaciers
have lost 40% of their area between 13th to 19th centuries and this century rate is 10 times higher than
previous century . This is just the tip of the iceberg. Global warming if canot be limited to the Paris agreement
value, the effect will be just devastating for world. We must act. Let us play our part as the coal major. A little
inaction / inefficiency today will come as a cosmic bolt to our next generation.

References:
1. Flexible operation of thermal power plant for integration of renewable generation - Report of CEA ; Govt.

Of India , Ministry of Power
2. Economics of variable renewable sources for Electric Power Production - Mohamed EL-Shimy
3. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy website.
4. Flexibility Assessment at WBPDCL Sagardighi#3 (500 MW) –Summery report by BHEL

SgTPP Rooftop Solar

19

Indian Renewable Energy Status (FY 2021-22) R&M

STATES / Small Bio-Power Solar Power
Uts Hydro
Power
Wind BM BM Cogen. Waste to Waste to Bio Pow- Ground Off-grid/ Solar Total
Power Power/ (Non-Ba- Energy Energy er Total Mount- Roof Top Distrib- Power Capacity
(MW) Bagasse Total
Cogen. gasse) (Off- ed uted (MW) (MW)
grid)

(MW) (MW) (MW) (MW) (MW) (MW) (MW) (MW) (MW)

Andhra 162.11 4096.65 378.10 105.57 53.16 29.21 566.04 4149.29 149.13 88.34 4386.76 9211.56
Pradesh
Arunachal 131.11 112.50 2.00 1.32 0.00 1.27 4.34 5.62 11.23 142.34
Pradesh 34.11 272.09 12.20 0.41
Assam 70.70 2.50 2.00 75.03 33.48 9.43 117.94 154.05
Bihar 76.00 24.46 126.02 138.93 30.55 21.15 190.63 387.35
Chhatisgarh 0.05 9209.22 65.30 12.00 0.34 6.14 275.00 288.63 36.70 192.75 518.08 869.08
89.39 151.40 89.26 7.50 1.00 0.95 18.88 0.12 19.95 20.34
Goa 73.50 11.20 0.34 5333.67 1805.33 41.03 7180.03 16587.90
Gujarat 954.11 9.20 109.26 265.80 397.40 247.43 910.63 1242.13
Haryana 258.00
Himachal 144.4 33.15 19.31 23.70 76.16 1040.47
Pradesh 4.05 10.20
Jammu &
Kashmir 4.30 0.00 2.49 22.00 22.44 46.93 191.61
Jharkhand 20.20 4.30 19.05 35.21 88.79 97.14
2.27 1902.15 7213.26 347.24 34.53 7590.81 15904.59
Karnataka 1280.73 5130.90 1867.10 1.00 13.85 2.50 167.90 174.69 363.18 670.70
62.50 0.23 0.00 6.00 1.80 30.31 7.80 47.44
Kerala 242.52 131.33 2459.02 177.29 2717.95 5468.88
Ladakh 39.64 2519.89 92.50 14.85 15.40 8.58 20.59
Madhya 5012.83 2568.00 16.40 12.59 35.16 0.00
Pradesh 99.71
7.45 81.64
Maharashtra 381.08 3.83 2632.15 1646.24 942.05 2631.02 10657.08
42.73
Manipur 5.45 13.80 23.65 0.00 0.00 6.36 12.25 17.70
Meghalaya 32.53 13.84 13.80 0.00 0.21 5.89 4.15 50.48
Mizoram 36.47 50.40 8.82 10.75 72.73 0.00 0.10 1.45 3.94 7.90 44.37
Nagaland 30.67 299.50 173.95 9.22 0.00 0.00 1.00 6.35 3.04 33.71
106.63 4326.82 119.25 2.00 2.53 59.22 403.56 21.66 2.04 451.24 617.09
Odisha 176.10 491.65 828.58 222.51 26.02 1100.07 1767.82
Punjab 23.85 9866.37 969.10 43.55 6.40 125.08 11493.75 748.44 48.98 12564.87 17040.62
Rajasthan 52.11 128.10 158.10 2.00 45.80 0.00 0.00 2.76 322.68 4.68 56.79
Sikkim 123.05 1042.70 4679.53 333.61 1.92 5067.18 16099.30
Tamil Nadu 90.87 1957.50 159.76 219.74 4277.97 233.80 54.04 4520.48 4959.19
Telangana 16.01 72.72 57.50 0.00 5.00 4.41 8.71 14.89 30.90
Tripura 49.10 300.00 19.92 2189.99 1851.50 258.78 5.48 2244.43 4483.52
Uttar Pradesh 218.82 139.44 298.40 262.71 134.15 573.54 931.80
Uttarakhand 98.50 322.45 100.00 53.04 12.43 166.00 586.95
West Bengal 5.25 12.96
Andaman & 0.00 24.63 4.59 29.49 34.74
Nicobar 4848.90 0.27
Chandigarh 0.00 6.34 48.02 55.17 55.17
Dadar & 0.81
Nagar
Haveli 0.00 2.49 2.97 0.00 5.46 5.46
Daman &
0.00 10.15 30.57 0.00 40.72 40.72
Diu 59.00 8.96 200.70
Delhi 59.00 0.00 0.75 0.00 1.46 211.12 270.12
Laksh- 223.14
wadeep 2.52 3.27 3.27
Pondi-
cherry 0.00 0.80 12.71 0.18 13.69 13.69
Others 45793.19 6645.70
Total (MW) 0.00 45.01 45.01 49.31
10682.36 1557.65
40357.58 9433.56 772.05 253.61 53996.54 109885.38

WBREDA

EV with PV & IoT: Journey from Kolkata

Joy Chakraborty As India is one of the worst sufferers of climate
Divisional Engineer,Rooftop Solar change, global warming and severe air pollution, it is
Division, WBREDA the task before all of us to ensure cleaning of air of
& this country.
Convergence of EV with Solar PV and Information
Shreya Karmakar Technology is proposed to ensure more E-Vehicle on
Reema Ghosh road. PV can reduce the cost of charging. App based
single window system for users to take informed
Er. Joy Chakraborty has been graduated in decision. AI application for time optimisation of
Electrical Engineering from the IIEST, Sibpur. He charging exercises for on road e-vehicles can make
has studied Renewable Energy at IIT, Roorkee and things easier for users.
has done MBA in Marketing. He was associated Steps are taken for e-bus penetration, e-two wheeler
with preparation of the first State Level Human penetration, Performance Based Incentive schemes
for indigenous manufacturing of battery, motor in
Development Report for West Bengal and the India, developing more road side Charging Stations
first State Action Plan of Climate Change. He has etc.
publications on Globalisation; Climate Change.
He is a policy level advocator for the propagation Serial Total Considered Expected
of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency to no vehicles % for EVs EVs on
combat Climate Change issues. Presently, he is on road in road in
2025
working with Rooftop Solar 2025
Division of WBREDA as a Divisional Engineer.
Er. Shreya Karmakar has been graduated in 1. 1991219 25 497805

Electrical Engineering from WBUT and has 2. 47825 15 7174
done her Masters from IIT, Dhanbad. She has
specilisation in PV Plant Design and Engineering. 3. 87322 05 4366
She is associated with such projects in National
and International level. She has served for ONergy,
Vikram Solar Limited. Presently, she is working

for a multinational consultancy farm and is
posted at UAE. She has presented papers in IEEE
programmes, Indian Engineering Congress and

others.
Er Reema Ghosh is a MCA from the Calcutta
University. She has specilisation in PV Plant Design
and Engineering and other software applications.
She is associated with such projects in National and
International level. She has served for Department
of IT, Department of Power & NES, Govt.
of West Bengal. Presently, she is working for a
multinational consultancy farm and is posted at

Chennai.

4. 265168 05 13258

Abstract Serial Total Considered Expected
no vehicles % for EVs EVs on
As India is one of the worst sufferer of on road in road in
climate change, global warming and 1. 50 2030
severe air pollution, it is the task before 2. 2030 30 1421691
all of us to ensure cleaning of air of 3. 2843382 10 17171
this country .The country has adopted 10631
strategies to reduce its Green House 4. 57235
Gas (GHG) emissions through enhanced 106129
Renewable Energy penetration and
phase-wise replacement of the fossil 323178 10 32318
fuel driven transport system by electric
• The peak power procurement modality due to
vehicles. [2] increased EV load is to be fixed up.
In the present article, some unique
features like convergence of EV with • The Standard Operational Protocol (SoP) for
Solar PV and Information Technology operational management of EV charging is to be
is proposed to ensure more E-Vehicle framed up.
on road. PV can reduce the cost of
charging. App based single window • App based single window system for users to
system for users to take informed take informed decision, AI application for time
optimisation of charging exercises for on road
decision. AI application for time e-vehicles are to be introduced to ensure hassle
optimisation of charging exercises for on free, faster charging experiences.
road e-vehicles can make things easier 21

for users.
Experts and policy makers are busy
with exercises to reduce the GDP loss
due to climate catastrophes, across the
globe. Here it is proposed to flourish EV
coupled with Solar PV and IoT ,so that
after mitigating the climate issues, India
can enhance its GDP through export
of de -carbonization and can be in the

Driver’s Seat in EV .

• Introduction of Grid Connected and Off Grid WBREDA
Solar charging stations to reduce dependency
on coal based electricity. 3 Checking station ratings and
description.
• Developing an eco-system for easy availability
of spares and post-sale maintenance services. 3 Notification to alert when there’s
a charging station nearby.
Salient features of an EV charging app:
An EV charging app must have the following Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) for an
essential features: EV charging station:
It is an application protocol that allows
1 Real-time location detection communication between charging stations and
and providing information about their management systems, which is as follows:
available charging stations. • As soon as, the charging station is turned

2 Scheduling of charging date and on, the OCPP tries to connect with the
time, setting reminders, getting management software. The software verifies
notifications and tracking usage. the identity of the charging station. After
successful verification, the IT backend sends a
3 Real-time updates of the signal to the EV charging station management
charging status. system to identify its availability. The station
responds by providing its current status with
3 Feedback from users about the date and time.
charging station • The authorization process begins when a user
requests to start the charging. In response
3 Payment directly through the to the request, the power supply nozzle is
app. unlocked and plugged into the e-vehicle to
start charging. At this stage, OCPP sends
3 Finding all stations along the another transaction message denoting that
road trip route. the charging process has begun.
• When the user wants to stop charging,
identification verification is required again at
the charging station through the mobile app.
When the StopTransaction message is sent to
the station, the charging is stopped and the
user is ready to leave the charging station.
Costing Solar PV Charging Stations:
For a 120KW Fast DC Charger, a solar PV power
plant of 150kWp capacity (with 0.8 Power
Factor) can meet the purpose. Considering the
present benchmark cost of the MNRE, Govt. of
India (notification no.:318 dated 18/08/2021: @
Rs.39,080/-per kWp; this cost is applicable for
the range of 100kWp to 500kWp PV power plant)
comes to Rs.58,62,000/-.

Type of Type of fuel used Cost ( Rs. / WBREDA
Bus km)
Diesel 35 Carbonizationto the world. India can act now to
Non-A.C Diesel 50 prevent the country 35T$ in economic potential of
A.C damage in next 50 years due to unlimited climate
change. So, more and effective penetration
A.C EV Conventional 25 of E-Vehicles with PV Charging and IoT based
Electricity infrastructure management mechanism will not
only reduce fossil fuel dependency, but also , it will
AC : EV + Solar 16 lead India’s transition towards a Green Economy
PV which can export de-carbonization through
technologies like PV,EV and PV-EV combined.
Worldwide countries are fighting for climate Other than organised sector employment, an eco-
mitigation exercises because climate induced system for ancillary, maintenance services can also
calamities correspond to loss of G.D.P. On part of be developed like what has happened for India’s top
India, it can be an unique opportunity to enhance car maker Maruti. India has a distinct opportunity
its G.D.P in the name of aggressive and planned to become the global leader in the upcoming
intervention in PV & EV through Export of de electric vehicle revolution. This will reduce the
GHG emissions, enhance EV penetration and will
provide new scope of employment to the youth of
this country. Converging EV with PV, IT &IoT can
ensure best possible penetration for EV in India
and India can be the Global Leader in EV in coming
days.

23

F&A

Integration of variable RE and it’s
implecation on thermal power tariff

Arpita Maji Present scenario of Indian Power Generators:
India being the third largest producer & consumer of
Assistant Manager (F&A), electric worldwide has an installed power capacity of
BkTPP, WBPDCL 399.49GW as on 31stmarch 2022. Power consumption
during 2019-20 was 1383.41 TWh. Although India
Joined WBPDCL in 2019 as Assistant has a surplus power generation capacity, the main
Manager F&A. Qualification-ACMA . constraints are lack of fuel supply, transmission
and distribution infrastructure. Basically, the Indian
Abstract power sector is dominated by fossil fuels in particular
Integration of a major portion coal. The Indian government had fixed a goal of
of variable renewable energy reaching 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022.
in the grid will impact viability The present scenario of installed generation capacity
(as on 31st March,2022) of all over India are asunder:
of investments in thermal
power plant. This article aims Sector Central State Private All India percen-
to shed light on the effect of 66832 73198 tage
flexible generation of coal based
Coal 64050 204080 51.08
thermal
power plant on the cost of Lignite 3640 1150 1830 6620 1.66
7087 10574
thermal power. Thermal Gas 7238 236 273.7 24900 6.23
(MW) 75304.9 85876

Diesel 0 0 0 509.7 0.13

Sub- 74927.9 236109 59.1
Total

Nuclear(MW) 6780 6780 1.7

Hydro(MW) 15665 27127 3931 46723 11.7

Renewable(MW) 1632.3 2423.31 105829.8 109885.4 27.51

Total(MW) 99004.93 104854.98 195636.71 399496.61 100

Flexible Operation:
As per the table, total amount of renewable energy
is 27.51% out of total generation. India is committed
to achieve 40% of installed capacity by 2030.Due
to this high penetration of renewable energy in the
grid, power system operators are also undergoing a
transition i.e. towards balancing supply. Balancing
supply means to supply electricity in accordance
with the demand of electricity. In Indian power
system all the regional grids have been integrated
into one and have one frequency i.e. 50Hz.So to
maintain balancing load in the grid thermal power
plants need to be operated flexibly. Traditionally to
maintain equilibrium between load and generation
and to maintain the constant frequency of the grid,

power system operators dispatch the least cost F&A
generation at the same rate of load subject to
various operational constraints.Flexible operation So, although as per the technical provisions the
of thermal plants refers to their capability to cope generators require to be capable of providing
with the variability and uncertainty that solar ramp rate between 3% to 5% the actual ramp
and wind generation introduce at different time rate of thermal generators are much less
scales in the grid, avoiding curtailment of power than this. Usually generators in India declare
from these VRE (Variable Renewable Energy) their ramp rates to the system operators
and supplying all customer energy demand. As which is within the range of 1%.Hence to
per International Energy Agency, “Flexibility incentivize the generators to provide more
expresses the extent to which a power system can ramping capability the CERC came out with
modify electricity production or consumption in the regulations to provide financial incentive
response to variability, expected or otherwise”. to those generators which provides ramping
One measure of this flexible operation is ramp rate capability beyond 1% and to penalize in case
i.e. the rate at which a power plant can decrease of failure to provide 1% ramp rate, in terms of
or increase generation. For instances, the periods return of equity
when load is increasing and VRE generation is
decreasing, the conventional generators (i.e. As per proviso (iii) to regulation 30(2) of CERC
thermal and hydro) could require to generate at a (Terms and Conditions of Tariff) regulations,
faster rate than usual requirements to compensate 2019(applicable to generators whose tariff
for lost supply. So, in layman’s words increasing is determined by CERC) “In case of thermal
or decreasing generation to maintain schedule is generating stations with effect from 01.04.2020:
called ramp up or ramp down.
a) Rate of return on equity shall be reduced by
No other resources can offer efficient 0.25% in case of failure to achieve the ramp rate
balancing power solution: 1% per minute
Solar & wind are the variable energy resources.
Basically, solar generation falls after 2pm & b) An additional rate of return on equity of 0.25%
in a cloudy day. Wind power generation also shall be allowed for every incremental ramp rate
dependent on weather and much unpredictive. of 1% per minute achieved over and above the
However hydel and gas can offer a better stable ramp rate of 1% per minute, subject to ceiling of
supply but India failed on both fronts. additional rate of equity of 1%.

Current Regulatory Provision regarding A summary of the ramping capability assessment
ramping:- process is given below:
As per the existing provisions of CEA (Technical
Standards for construction of Electrical Plant and 1. Calculate proportion of blocks (Td) out of total
electric lines) regulations 2010 prescribe +/-3% to (Tm) in a period, in which the ramp up/down rate
+/-5% (supercritical) per minute ramp rate for coal declared by interstate generation stations (ISGS)
fired plants. is 1% per minute or more (i.e. Td/Tm).The blocks
“7 (4)-The design shall cover adequate provision in which no units are on bar (i.e. zero DC on bar)
for quick start up and loading of the unit to full load and the blocks in which the schedule is less than
at a fast rate. The unit shall have minimum rate of technical minimum (i.e. start-up or shutdown)
loading or unloading of 3% per minute above the shall not form part of Tm and Td.
control load (i.e. 50% MCR). For supercritical and
ultra-super-critical units, minimum rate of loading 2. Calculate number of blocks (D) out of declared
or unloading shall be 5% per minute above the blocks (Td), in which ISGS is scheduled by regional
control load (i.e., 50% MCR).” load despatch centre with ramp up/down rate of >
On the other hand The Indian Electricity Grid Code 1%/min. 3. Calculate proportion of blocks (E) out
(IEGC) has provisions requiring only +/- 1% ramp of scheduled blocks (D), where ISGS has achieved
rate only. actual ramp up/ down rate > scheduled ramp
“5.2(i) -The recommended rate for changing the rate (when it is > 1%/min) i.e.,(E/D). 4. Calculate
governor setting i.e., supplementary control for proportion of blocks (F) out of scheduled blocks
increasing or decreasing the output (generation (D), where ISGS has achieved actual ramp up/
level) for all generating units, irrespective of their down of > 1%/min, when scheduled ramp rate
type and size, would be one (1.0) per cent per > 1%/min i.e., (F/D). 5. Calculate actual average
minute or as per manufacturer’s limits.” ramp rate (AARR) in the blocks when scheduled
ramp rate is 1% min or more.

25

Determination of additional ROE/reduction in ROE - F&A
Start

Td/Tm≥0.85?

D≥ 90*M? 60*M ≤ D <90*M

F/D ≥ 0.75? E/D ≥0.75?

Reduction Additional ROE No change in
in ROE by (%) = (Integer ROE
(AARR)-1)*0.25
0.25%

Stop

F&A

Number of months in computation(M)=1

Total No No of the No.of time Out of (D) Out of (D), Average Recom-
of time blocks blocks no.of time no of time actual ramp mended
Station Blocks(Tm) Where Td/Tm where rate during E/D E/D change in
i.e 96*no of blocks blocks blocks when
A Declared scheduled where ac- where scheduled 0.85 ROE(%)
B days Ramp Up& ramp> 1%/ tual ramp> actual ramp ramp> 1%/ 0.8
C Down Rate scheduled >1%/min(F) min (%/min) 0.7
D > 1%(Td) min(D) ramp(E) 0.65
E (AARR) 0.65
F 0.5
2880 2600 0.90 100 85 95 2.2 0.95 0.25
2880 1500 0.52 0.85 -0.25
2880 2880 1.00 100 80 85 1.1 0.76 0
2400 2400 1.00 0.72 -0.25
2880 2880 1.00 100 70 76 1.1 0.73 0
2880 2880 1.00 0.57 0
100 65 72 1

80 52 58 0.9

30 15 17 0.9

Remarks on sample cases: - Station E: Td/Tm>0.85,D<90*M-therefore no
Station-A: Td/Tm> 0.85, F/D>0.75.Therefore no reduction in RoE. E/D<0.75-therefore no additional
reduction in RoE. Additional RoE of 0.25% due to ROE Station F: Td/Tm>0.85,D<60*M-therefore no
AARR>2% /min and E/D>0.75 reduction in RoE and no additional RoE.
Station B: Td/Tm<0.85,therefore reduction of RoE Availability Based thermal power plant
by 0.25% tariff:
Station C: Td/Tm>0.85,F/D>0.75-therefore no Availability based tariff is a frequency based
reduction in RoE .E/D<0.75-therefore no additional pricing scheme adopted in Indian Power Sector
RoE to maintain Grid Discipline and for unscheduled
Station D: Td/Tm>0.85,F/D<0.75-therefore electric power transactions. It is a three part
reduction in ROE by 0.25% pricing scheme i.e. Fixed Charge, Energy Charge
and Unscheduled Interchange Charge.

Thermal Plant Tariff

Capacity Charge(Fixed Cost) Energy Charge(Variable) Unscheduled Interchange Charges

Recovery of Recovery of Landed Fuel Cost of
Annual Fixed Secondary & Primary Fuel
Primary fuel
Cost Cost of Secondary
Fuel

Return on Interest on Depreciation Interest on O&M
Equity Loan Capital Working Expenses
Capital including
Salaries

27

Impact on cost of thermal power generation F&A
due to flexible operations: -
The cost involved in enabling a coal based thermal when the unit is operating at low load. A higher
power generating unit to operate flexibly can be heat rate indicates increase in fuel consumption
categorized under two heads. and expense. Furthermore, due to frequent
1. Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) change of loads auxiliary power consumption will
Capital expenditure is one time expenditure also increase resulting in less ex-bus generation.
incurred for installation of various equipment to b. Cost due to increase in Operation and
make the plant capable of low load operation. Maintenance Cost due to reduction in life
To operate a thermal unit below minimum load of components. Flexible operation leads to
will require implementation of various measures deterioration of plant components at a higher rate
dependent on the unit design type i.e. coal which ultimately will result in higher O&M cost.
quality, maintenance of units & age of the units. c. Cost due to Increased Oil Consumption due to
The accumulated fatigue in the equipment due to frequent start stop
frequent load variation will depend on historical In thermal power plants with coal fired Boiler, the
operational duties and maintenance practices fuel oil plays a vital role in initial firing of the boiler.
which in turn will provide the guidance of It gives the ignition energy to the pulverized
remaining useful life of the equipment & the extent coal. During flexible operation, there may be a
of interventions required to operate flexibly. It will requirement of increased number of Cold, Warm
also depend on the regime of flexibility that the or Hot start-ups as per the requirements of grid.
unit is expected to support i.e. low/very low load, This would lead to increase in oil consumption
start/stop daily/weekly basis of operation which ultimately will result in an additional cost to
2.Operational Expenditure (Opex) - the power station.
The operational expenditure involved in the Transition cost involved in integration of
frequent ramping can be categorized under three higher share of renewables: -
heads: - During the last few years coal-based generation
a.Cost due to increase in net heat rate and auxiliary capacity increased in excess of 150GW.Now
power consumption integration of larger share of renewable energy
The heat rate of thermal power plant is influenced in the grid will result in underutilisation of the
by load factor. Heat rate is a measure of energy generating capacity of thermal power plants
conversion into efficiency, defined as how much ultimately leads to locked finance.
fuel energy must be expended to obtain a unit of Conclusion: -
useful work. Heat rate is inversely proportionate So, it is crystal clear that variable renewable
to efficiency. A fully loaded operation of thermal energy will have a great impact on thermal power
power plant results in higher operational efficiency generation cost. Optimization of the generation
than partially loaded. So, heat rate gets increased of coal based thermal power utilities have become
a hard row to hoe in context of present Indian
Power Market.

References:-
“Detailed Guideline for Assessment of Ramping Capability” of Interstate Generating Stations issued
by Power System Operation Corporation Limited.
2. “Flexible Operation of Thermal Power Plant for Integration of Renewable Generation” issued by
Central Electricity Authority.

WBSERC

A glimpse of electricity tariff
from the perspective of WBPDCL

Revenue is the ultimate desired result for the power
we generate and that is earned through tariff which is
regulated. The regulator for WBPDCL is the Hon’ble
West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission
(Hon’ble Commission) and the prevailing regulation
is the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission
(Terms and Conditions of Tariff) Regulations, 2011 as
amended (Tariff regulations). We are all acquainted
with the Annual Capacity Charge and Energy
Charge of our plants in Multi Year Tariff (MYT) order,
approved by WBERC which is reproduced below for
ready reference for the financial year 2021 – 22:

Kaustav Rajpandit Name of the Energy Annual Normative
Power Station charge Capacity Plant
Joint Advisor (Engineering) (P/kwh) Charge
WBSERC - in Deputation (Rs Lakh) Availability
Factor (%)
The author has joined the organization
in 2001 and served in electrical O&M KTPS 278.41 47364.02 75
in STPS, KTPS and BkTPS as well as in BkTPS 180.15 78361.80 85
BTPS-U#1&2 271.80 5312.42 70
Planning & Engineering Department of
Corporate Office. 85

BTPS-U#5 217.09 14859.16

STPS 194.97 44699.33 85

SgTPP 179.11 37798.78 85
U#1&2 173.92 98752.40 85

SgTPP
U#3&4

Abstract The energy charge and fixed charge are realized by
Revenue is the tangible product WBPDCL from sole beneficiary WBSEDCL.In addition
for generators. Multi-year tariff to the energy charge above, WBPDCL is further
entitled to additional sums towards enhanced cost
order (MYT) for FY 2021-22 of fuel as Monthly Fuel Cost Adjustment (MFCA)
in WBPDCL perspective is after the date of tariff order, if any. Availability of
discussed in this article. installed capacity for any of the generating stations
of WBPDCL may be adjusted downward against
enhanced performance of any other generating
stations of WBPDCL which may register capacity
availability over the target availability guided by
regulation 2.8.6.7.Apart from the above, WBPDCL is
also entitled to get Fixed charge from WBSETCL for
transmission systems associated with BkTPS.
But this is not final since MYT order for ensuing years
is issued based on projection by WBPDCL guided by
the Tariff Regulations. After elapse of the financial
year, the revenue is adjusted through Annual
Performance Review (APR) and Fuel cost Adjustment

29

(FCA) based on actual audited figures. This is also WBSERC
called Trueing-up exercise in regulatory jargon.
Chronologically, MYT order is issued before Operation & Maintenance (O&M) expenses
the respective year and APR & FCA order for This ‘controllable’ tariff element is 2nd largest
respective year is issued after the concerned year. element under fixed cost. Thenorms for annual
There are also provisions for incentives for better O&M expenses in Rs lakh/MW for each generating
performance in the Tariff regulations. station is mentioned in tariff regulations/tariff
There are multiple tariff elements under Fuel and order.The O&M rate in Rs lakh/MW and Rs lakh
fixed cost and they are categorised as ‘Controllable’ allowed in last MYT order are as follows:
or ‘uncontrollable’ in tariff regulations or MYT
order. During the APR &FCA, the amounts of Name O&M Cost in O&M Expense in Rs
‘controllable’ elements are allowed based on the of the Rs Lakh/MW Lakh
limit and principles set in MYT order. However, Power
for ‘uncontrollable’elements the cost incurred at Station 2021 2022 2021 – 22 2022 – 23
actuals are allowed subject to – 22 – 23
A glimpse of tariff from the perspective of
WBPDCL KTPS 18.14 18.87 13804.90 14522.76
performance within normative figure. Let us 14.59 15.18 14816.79 15587.26
discuss, some of the major tariff elements of fixed BkTPS 19.89 20.69 2386.80 2482.80
and fuel costs.
Fuel costs: BTPS- 17.91 18.63 3850.65 4005.45
This is an ‘uncontrollable’ element and accounts U#1&2
for more than 60% of expenditure. The fuel cost
per unit is determined in MYT order based on BTPS-
normative operative parameters and projected U#5
landed coal cost (Rs/MT), oil cost (Rs/KL) etc. The
normative operative parameters are as below STPS 11.30 11.76 5650.00 5875.00
which we always monitor:
SgTPP 9.62 10.01 5319.77 5596.40
U#1&2 7.09 7.38 7090.00 7380.00

SgTPP
U#3&4

Name of the AEC SHR SOC Transit The above O&M rate in Rs lakh/MW is arrived by
Power Station (%) (kcal/ (ml/ & successively applying Hybrid Inflation rate 4.02%
kwh) kwh) handling of 2019 – 2020 on O&M rate in tariff order of 2019
loss of – 20. The 4.02% hybrid inflation is comprised of
coal 60% weightage on WPI and 40% on CPI. The O&M
expenses comprises of Repair & Maintenance
expense, Administrative and General expense
(rent, lease, legal charges, Auditor’s expense,
consultancy etc.)

KTPS 9.60 2700 2.00 0.80% performance within normative figure. Let us
2470 1.30 0.50% discuss, some of the major tariff elements of fixed
BkTPS 9.00 3050 2.50 0.80% and fuel costs.
1.75 0.80% Fuel costs:
BTPS-U#1&2 10.40 1.00 0.80%
This is an ‘uncontrollable’ element and accounts
BTPS-U#5 9.00 2430 1.00 0.80% for more than 60% of expenditure. The fuel cost
per unit is determined in MYT order based on
STPS 9.00 2425 1.00 0.80% normative operative parameters and projected
9.00 2345 landed coal cost (Rs/MT), oil cost (Rs/KL) etc. The
SgTPP normative operative parameters are as below
U#1&2 9.00 2424 which we always monitor:

SgTPP Name of the AEC SHR SOC Transit
U#3&4 Power Station (%) (kcal/ (ml/ &
kwh) kwh) handling
During trueing-up, the actual costs of fuels and KTPS 9.60 loss of
actual operating parameters are considered along 2700 2.00 coal
with normative parameter. The gains from actual
performance better than operating norms are 0.80%
shared with the beneficiary as laid down in tariff
regulations BkTPS 9.00 2470 1.30 0.50%

Employee Cost WBSERC

BTPS-U#1&2 10.40 3050 2.50 0.80%
1.75 0.80%
BTPS-U#5 9.00 2430 1.00 0.80% This ‘uncontrollable’ tariff element is largest under
1.00 0.80% Fixed Cost. In the MYT order, employee cost is
STPS 9.00 2425 allowed by the Commission based on projection
9.00 2345 1.00 0.80% by WBPDCL within the Man/MW norms subject to
SgTPP prudence check. In theAPR order, actual employee
U#1&2 9.00 2424 cost is considered subject to normative Man/MW
ratio. The normative ratio is as under:
SgTPP
U#3&4 Name of the Power
Station
During trueing-up, the actual costs of fuels and KTPS Man/MW
actual operating parameters are considered along BkTPS
with normative parameter. The gains from actual 2.00
performance better than operating norms are BTPS-U#1&2 1.60
shared with the beneficiary as laid down in tariff BTPS-U#5 4.80
regulations STPS 1.95
Operation & Maintenance (O&M) expenses 2.45
This ‘controllable’ tariff element is 2nd largest SgTPP U#1&2 1.35
element under fixed cost. Thenorms for annual SgTPP U#3&4 1.35
O&M expenses in Rs lakh/MW for each generating
station is mentioned in tariff regulations/tariff The above Man/MW ratio for different plants has
order.The O&M rate in Rs lakh/MW and Rs lakh considered all regular employees of own establishment
allowed in last MYT order are as follows: as also all contracted manpower engaged directly or
through man power supply company for working in the
Name O&M Cost in O&M Expense in Rs regular establishment.This ratio in the above table is only
of the Rs Lakh/MW Lakh for the purpose of determination of the cost of employee.
Power Due to decommissioning of old unit(s) of any existing
Station 2021 2022 2021 – 22 2022 – 23 generating station, the expenditure of the surplus man
– 22 – 23 power is allowed in the tariff after considering the due
adjustment of such man power to any new unit(s) of any
KTPS 18.14 18.87 13804.90 14522.76 generating station or any other part of business.
Other elements of FixedCosts
BkTPS 14.59 15.18 14816.79 15587.26 Other than O&M expenses and Employee cost, the
other tariff elements of fixed costs in the prevailing tariff
BTPS- 19.89 20.69 2386.80 2482.80 order are (i) Coal and Ash handling charge (ii) Rates and
U#1&2 17.91 18.63 3850.65 4005.45 Taxes (iii) Tariff filing Fees to WBERC (iv) ERPC Charges
(v) Insurances (vi) Financing charges (vii) Interest on
BTPS- borrowed capital (viii) Interest on Working Capital (ix)
U#5 Water charges of STPS (x) Depreciation (xi) Advance
against Depreciation (AAD) (xiii) Return on Equity (ROE)
STPS 11.30 11.76 5650.00 5875.00 (xiv) Maintenance charge to PGCIL for 400 kv line of
SgTPP.
SgTPP 9.62 10.01 5319.77 5596.40 The summation of Fuel and Fixed costs is Gross
U#1&2 Aggregate Annual Requirement (ARR). Then incomes
other than sale of electricity (Non Tariff Incomes) are
SgTPP 7.09 7.38 7090.00 7380.00 deducted from Gross ARR to derive Net ARR. The Non
U#3&4 Tariff Incomes mentioned in the Tariff order are from
sale of scrap, interest on short term bank deposits.
The above O&M rate in Rs lakh/MW is arrived by Expenditure wise, for BkTPP for the year 2022 – 23, Fuel
successively applying Hybrid Inflation rate 4.02% costs account for 66.21%, followed by Employee Cost
of 2019 – 2020 on O&M rate in tariff order of 2019 (9.71%), Depreciation (9.47%), O&M expenses (8.43%),
– 20. The 4.02% hybrid inflation is comprised of Interest on borrowed capital (3.62%).
60% weightage on WPI and 40% on CPI. The O&M Tariff may be apparently a boring subject for technical
expenses comprises of Repair & Maintenance persons but the appreciation of our hard work may
expense, Administrative and General expense be enhanced by better consciousness on regulatory
(rent, lease, legal charges, Auditor’s expense, framework.
consultancy etc.)
31

Civil-OPH

Experience related to Construction and
Maintenance of Ash Pond

Debasish Das Introduction:
Out of various alternatives for disposal of fly ash, use
Sr. Manager (Civil-OPH),BkTPP, of ash pond in which ash slurry is discharged is most
WBPDCL widely used by thermal power plants. Fly ash and
bottom ash from the power plant is mixed with water
Started as Asstt. Manager (Civil) from in a ratio varying from 1 part ash and 4 to 20 parts of
BTPS in March 2004. Worked as Asstt. water. The slurry is then pumped up to the ash pond
which are located within few kilometres distance
Mgr and Mgr from 2004 to 2015 at from the power plant. Depending on the distance and
BTPS. Started at BkTPS from March elevation difference, energy required for pumping
is very high and often requires booster pumps at
2015 and is continuing till date. intermediate locations.
There is a basic difference between an ash pond and a
Abstract: water reservoir. The major differences are highlighted
Thermal Power Plants using coal below.
is chief source of energy in our Only the ash particles settle close to the bund and the
country and it is likely to remain water after decantation travel away from the bund
forming a sloping beech.
so in near future. The bund is not subjected to hydrostatic pressure over
The total production of fly ash the full height of the bund as the water travels away
per annum has already crossed from the bund. Due to provision for good drainage
all along the bund, the phreatic line is maintained at
100 million tones and the very low level to ensure that the bund section and the
disposal of the fly ash is causing deposited ash particles closer to the bund are in dry
condition.
several challenges. The water, after decantation is not allowed to
Utilization of fly ash has picked accumulate in the pond but it is removed from the pond
to ensure that the phreatic line is maintained at lower
up but till the percentage level. The ash pond can be designed economically
utilization is far below utilizing the advantage of low phreatic line as
mentioned above. This paper describes important
satisfaction and power plants issues related to design, operation and maintenance of
are no option but to dispose the ash pond. It is noticed that in many cases, some of the
important requirements have not been met with which
fly ash in ash pond. results in unsatisfactory performance of the ash pond.
No well defined design Ash pond layout
procedure or codal provision 1. The area shall be as close as possible to the power
exists for the ash pond plant to reduce the pumping cost.
construction and maintenance. 2. Provisions shall be made for vertical and horizontal
Fly ash being a waste product, expansion of the ash pond depending on estimated life
power plants does not always of the power plant.
pay much attention on 3. To the extent possible, the area shall be away
maintenance of the ash pond. from water bodies such as river, lake, etc. to prevent
There are number of serious pollution of the water body due to the seepage of water
failures in ash pond which from ash slurry even if it is away from water bodies,
resulted in escape of ash slurry it is preferable to have a fairly impervious stratum to
into the surrounding areas, prevent migration of ash water into the ground water.
including water bodies and As per Pollution Control Board norms, an impervious
created environmental hazard. membrane HDPE lining has to be provided to prevent
This paper describes various pollution of the ground water.
issues related to the design and
maintenance of ash pond.

4. In interior areas, even if it is away from water Civil-OPH
bodies it is preferable to have a fairly impervious
stratum to prevent migration of ash water into been deposited is allowed to dry and there after
the ground water. Asper PCB norms an impervious the height of the pond is further increased. If the
membrane (HDPE) has to be provided to prevent area comprises of a single pond, it is not possible to
pollution of ground water. increase the height while the pond is in operation.
5. In most of the ash ponds, the total area available Each compartment is required to have certain
is divided into two or more compartments so that minimum area to ensure that there is adequate time
any one of the compartment can be in operation available for settlement of ash particles while this
while other compartments were ash has already slurry travels from the discharge point to the outlet
point. This distance should be minimum 200m to
ensure that only clear water accumulates near the
outlet.

Satellite view of ash pond I at BKTPS

Detail Layout of ash pond II at BKTPS

33

Civil-OPH

Satellite view of Ash pond II at BkTPS

GEOTECHNICAL ISSUES and regular testing was done for suitability
• Some of the ash dykes have large length checking.
• At present, most of the existing power
(exceeding 5-8km) and large height (20-30m). plants utilize fly ash itself as borrow soil to
Such structure can be classified as large dam construct the ash dyke. This reduces cost
as per the prevailing classification of earthen of construction and increases the storage
dams. It is therefore very important that all capacity of the pond depending on volume
the Geotechnical aspects in the design is of fly ash excavated. However, fly ash can
carefully looked into.The embankment length get easily eroded under flow of water. It is
for both the ash ponds at BkTPS is 4 km and its therefore necessary to provide an earth cover
maximum height is (18+3.5 mtr). (generally thickness varies from 0.5m to 1m)
• Detailed Geotechnical investigation along the to protect the compacted ash against erosion.
dyke alignment and at few locations in the Soil used for such earth cover shall be of CI/
ash pond area is essential. As per standard CL/GC type having liquid limit less than 50%
practice, the soil data shall be available for and clay content not more than 30%.Similarly
every 50m distance along the length of the the fly ash used shall be collected closer to
dyke. The investigation shall be carried out the discharge point were the particles are of
upto a hard strata or upto a depth likely to larger size and expected to give a higher angle
be influenced by the construction of ash of friction. It is possible to compact fly ash
pond, whichever is earlier. Presence of weak at varying degree of moisture content. The
layer such as soft clay or loose sand which optimum moisture content generally varies
is likely to liquefy has to be established by from 25-35%. As such it is possible to carry
this investigation. In addition tests are also out the construction even during monsoon.
required to be carried out on identified borrow The fly ash is normally placed in layers not
soil to check its suitability for construction of exceeding 200-300mm in loose thickness
ash dyke. About 1/3rd of borrowed soil was and compacted to 70% related density using
used for construction Ash pond II at BkTPS

a vibratory roller. Stringent quality control is Civil-OPH
necessary to check the type of material used,
construction method, degree of compaction, exercised to ensure that a minimum freeboard
etc. At BkTPS Ash pond –I ash dyke raising of 0.5m is available at the dyke location.
was done by using ash from ash pond itself • When the free board in the reservoir is less
and 300mm ash cushioning was done over the than 0.5m, further discharge shall be switched
raised embankment. over to the other pond.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES • Decanting System should be such that clear
• Though fly ash is known to be an inert material, water is achieved for recirculation
there is an apprehension about certain soluble • The elevation of cascade wall or flash bar or
chemicals in the decanted water which can opening in decanting shaft is very important.
have adverse effect if such decanted water is This shall be chosen to ensure the following:
let into a river body or ground water. • i. Minimum beach length as mentioned above
• For this purpose, the norms of Pollution is formed. If the elevation of outlet wall is
Control Board insist on providing a plastic liner increased, the beach length will get reduced.
(High-density polyethylene) over the entire • ii. The quality of decanted water should be
bottom of the pond and upstream face of the satisfactory with total suspended solids less
ash dyke. New ash ponds being constructed than 100ppm. If the elevation of outlet is low,
have to provide the plastic liner to prevent the suspended solids will increase.
pollution of ground water. HDPE sheet was Maintenance of Ash Dyke
used during construction of ash pond II at It is very important to constantly supervise the ash
BkTPS. dyke and carryout necessary remedial measures.
• Apart from pollution to ground water, Following aspects have to be considered during
another major concern is dust pollution in inspection of the dyke:
the surrounding area during heavy wind. To i. Wet patches on downstream slope. This
prevent dust pollution, water sprinklers shall is possible only if the beach length is not
be arranged in the beach area which is in dry adequate and/or the drainage is choked.
condition. Sprinkling is being done at BKTPS Corrective measures shall be taken
ash pond-II during dry season. immediately. If the wet patches continue to
• For the pond which has reached the ultimate appear, the area shall be protected by placing
height and no further extension of height is a sand filter layer followed by a layer of stones
warranted, the surface shall be covered with to prevent piping failure. Wherever relief
a 300mm thick soil layer. Suitable vegetation wells are provided, the outflow from the relief
shall be grown over the area which ensures no wells shall be monitored. A register shall be
dust pollution. maintained recording rate of flow from each
MAINTENANCE OF ASH DYKE relief well. Such measurements shall be taken
• The discharge points have to be uniformly a frequency of 15 days. If any of the discharge
distributed. pipes from the relief well is found to have been
• If any leakage is formed in the slurry discharge blocked, the same shall be cleared for effective
pipe, the same shall be immediately blocked relief of the seepage water.
as this will otherwise create erosion of the ii. Gulley formation the downstream face can
downstream face and deposition of ash on the have gulley formation due to surface water
downstream face leading to dust pollution. flow during rain. This can be prevented by
• If the distance between discharge points is maintaining grass turfing and by selecting
more than 30m, it is preferable that one or two non erodible earth cover during the dyke
flexible hoses of 15 to 20m length are attached construction. If any gulley formation is noticed,
to the discharge point and the other end of the the same shall be back-filled with cohesive soil
hose is manually shifted within a radius of 15- (not fly ash) and covered with grass turfing.
20m on either side of the discharge points. iii. Rat holes / animal burrows during inspection
This will prevent local heap formation and if any rat holes or animal burrows are noticed,
provide uniform beach. the same shall be plugged using cohesive soil
• Apart from the above, careful watch shall be and covered with grass turfing.
iv. Softening of downstream area Apart from the
dyke slope, the area adjacent to downstream

35

of the rock toe shall also be inspected. If any Civil-OPH
softening of the ground is noticed due to
seepage of water, the area shall be provided the bund throughout its operation. The equipments
with an inverted filter blanket. At such for such monitoring are same as that used for
locations, relief well shall be installed for safe monitoring of dams. These are readily available in
exit of the seepage water. the market and does not cost much. Instruments
v. Growth of plants No plants / trees shall be commonly provided for such monitoring are listed
allowed to grow on the downstream face. If below:
any such growth is noticed, the area shall be • Settlement gauges along the top of the bund.
cleared by removing all the roots, plug the • Piezometers, minimum 3 to 4 nos. at critical
area with selected cohesive soil and cover
with grass turfing. sections to check the phreatic line during
vi. Choking of surface strains Due to deposition of various stages of operation to verify the
soil particles in the toe drain or drains provided efficiency of internal drains.
on the downstream face, the function of the • Inclinometers to check for any instability in
drain is affected. This results in stagnation the slope and lateral movement of the dyke.
of seepage water in the drain which is not • Dyke rising of Existing Ash pond for capacity
desirable. All toe drains and surface drains Augmentation.
shall be cleared by removing soil or vegetation • Inmostoftheashponds,thetotalareaavailable
for smooth flow. is divided into two or more compartments so
vii. Along the ash dyke, if reduced free board is that anyone of the compartment can be in
noticed at a local point due to settlement operation while other compartments were
of the dyke of erosion of earth cover at ash has already been deposited is allowed to
the surface, the same shall be rectified by dry and there after the height of the pond is
providing additional earth fill on the top of further increased. If the area comprises of a
the dyke. If the earth cover is formed to be single pond, it is not possible to increase the
missing or eroded, the area shall be covered height while the pond is in operation. Each
by additional earth cover of minimum 0.5m compartment is required to have certain
thickness. minimum area to ensure that there is adequate
viii. Site shall maintain a record of total inflow into time available for settlement of ash particles
the ash dyke through various discharge pipes while this slurry travels from the discharge
as well as total outflow over the spillway. point to the outlet point. This distance should
Suitable measuring system such as “V” notch be minimum 200m to ensure that only clear
or venturymeter shall be fitted for such water accumulates near the outlet.
measurements. • The pond which has already been filled-up
ix. The dyke shall be visited particularly after shall be allowed to dry without any further
events like earthquake, cyclone, heavy rains, discharge of slurry for a minimum period of 1
high flood in the river, etc. and a report month before the construction for raising the
prepared based on the observation. If any height is taken up.The pond which is not being
damage is noticed, the same shall be rectified used shall be provided with water sprinklers at
as per the guidelines given in this note. If no regular intervals to ensure that the surface of
suitable guidelines are found for the nature of the pond is maintained moist to prevent dust
the damage, the designer of the dyke shall be pollution. Too much of water spraying shall be
consulted immediately. avoided as this is likely to make the surface
x. The beach area of the pond which is under slushy and movement of the vehicles for
operation shall be inspected. If any subsidence construction purpose will be difficult.
or sink holes are noticed along the beach, the DESIGN OF DYKE RISING
downstream side at the same location shall be Type of raising: The height of dam is gradually
inspected. A site report of such observations increased after raising of fly ash level.This also saves
shall be communicated to the designer. the overall cost compared to first stage construction.
Monitoring the Dyke Raising of embankment are commonly done by
In view of various uncertainties in the design of ash following method:
pond, it is preferable to monitor the performance of • i) Upstream method
• ii) Downstream method
• iii) Central line method

Out of the above 3 alternative methods, the Civil-OPH
upstream method is mostly chosen due to its
minimum cost. The aspects to be taken care are • Adequate transverse and longitudinal drains
adequacy of the deposited particles to support the shall be provided on the downstream face.
additional weight. Apart from the stability of the Wherever the height of the dyke is exceeding
dyke, following features shall be included in the 5m, berms shall be provided at ever 3m vertical
design: intervals with a longitudinal drain to prevent
• erosion.
• The entire upstream face of the dyke shall be
• Decanting system shall be provided to ensure
provided with stone pitching or brick lining that free water inside the ash pond does not pile
or precast tile lining to prevent erosion of the up to a large head. After decantation, the clear
slope by wave action during heavy wind. water shall be drained off ensuring minimum
• The entire downstream slope shall be provided height of water above the ash deposition at
with grass turfing to prevent erosion of the the outlet such that the suspended particles
downstream side during rains. are within the permissible limit of 100ppm.
• A rock toe and toe drain shall be provided for
safe exit of seepage water into a natural drain Other General Recommendations Related to
without any inundation of the downstream Operation and Maintenance of Ash Pond.
area and thereby softening of the natural • The entire area of the ash dyke shall be
strata.
provided with fencing and unauthorized entry
within this ash pond area shall be strictly
prohibited. Security guards shall be posted for
vigilance of the ash dyke area round the clock.
This is very important as there are chances of
sabotage.
• The entire dyke perimeter shall have accessible
roads with atleast WBM topping.
• The entire dyke area shall be provided with
street lights or flood lights for inspection
purpose. These lights need to be turned on
only in case of inspection during night.
A site office shall be constructed with a full time
Engineer responsible for inspection and monitoring
of the ash dyke

The Followings are Few Pictures showing different steps of construction of Ash Pond II at
Bakreswar Thermal Power Station.

Excavation in progress

37

Civil-OPH
Work in progress
Compaction in progress

Civil-OPH
Embankment work in progress

Embankment Drawing and Actual

39

Civil-OPH
GrassTurfing downstream side

Rock toe

Civil-OPH
RockToe And filter media Drawing and actual

Inside view

41

EM-IPH

GT-3 at KTPS : Stepping in to a new epoch

Swarup Kumar Prologue:
Mukhopadhyay Following approval in CAPEX 2018-2019, TWO 250
MVA, 15.75/230 kV transformer (Make: BHEL) was
Manager (PS), EMOPH, KTPS, WBPDCL procured from the OEM. After phasing out of Unit-1
& 2 of KTPS due to verdict from NGT, it was decided
Joined KTPS on 2008. Previously by the competent authority that existing 235 MVA,
worked in CHPEM, KTPS for 04 years. 15.75/230 kV GT-3 (Make: TELK) would be replaced
with ONE 250 MVA, 15.75/230 kV transformer
(Make: BHEL), hereinafter will be referred as ‘the
transformer’.
Tank mounted cooler banks: less space, more
flexibility:

Somak Mitra RIP bushing: First in WBPDCL
A pioneering technology for WBPDCL took off
Manager (PS), EMOPH, KTPS, WBPDCL with the inception of 245 kV RIP bushings for BHEL
Joined KTPS on 2008. Previously 250 MVA YNd1 transformer. Coming from the
manufacturing unit of M/S MGC MOSER GLASER
worked in Mechanical Operation and LIMITED, SWITZERLAND; the same enhances the
System Operation. safety factor over conventional OIP bushings. RIP
bushings contain no oil, which considerably decreases
Abstract the probability of catching up and propagation of
The old 235 MVA, 15.75/230 kV fire. In resin impregnated paper (RIP) transformer
GT-3 (Make: TELK) was replaced bushing type the major insulation consists of a core
wound from paper and subsequently impregnated
with 250 MVA, 15.75/230 kV with epoxy resin. Needless to say, such feat of safety
transformer (Make: BHEL) has been achieved without forfeiting any dielectric
during overhauling of Unit-3 parameter.
in the year of 2022. This article
explains the different challenges
mitigated successfully while
firmly planting our feet in to
the era of modernization with
adoption of new technologies.

Gas Analyzer 2.0 – newer, better, smarter: EM-IPH
BHEL 250 MVA GT-3 came with a sidekick in the
form of Online Multi-gas Analyzer. Although an NIFPES: Safety ensured
earlier version of the same was commissioned for Following modern practices of safety, the said
TELK 250 MVA GT-2, the recent MGA 2000 unit, transformer is equipped with NIFPES system,
manufactured by M/S NINGBO LIGONG ONLINE commissioned under the supervision of the OEM
MONITORING TECHNOLOGY CO LTD from PR M/S VENDERE.
CHINA, renders many features and accessibilities
which were not present in the earlier one.
“MGA2000 Series Transformer Online Multi-

Number Man/MW Detecting range
(ppm)

1 H2 2-5000

2 CO 10-10000

3 CO2 20-30000

4 CH4 0.5-5000

5 C2H4 0.5-5000

6 C2H2 0.5-3000

7 C2H6 0.5-5000

8 O2 500-25000

Gas Analyzer” is a highly reliable, online
monitoring instrument and system. Analyzing the
concentration and accumulation rates of dissolved
gases of transformer oil continuously, real-time
based, and providing online information. The
automatic diagnosis of transformer faults can be
performed by its faults diagnosis expert system is
significant as an accident prevention tool.

43

Turbine

Air is the gamechanger for reducing BTPS
Turbine tripping

Hiranmay Palui History of the Machine:

Sr. Manager (PS) The M/c is SKODA design 215 MW (modified retrofit)
T&A Dept., BTPS, WBPDCL impulse turbine having three-cylinder i.e HPT,
Joined BkTPP in 2004. Then posted at IPT&LPT mounted with total 07 bearings (HPT-02
SgTPP from 2005 to 2019. In-charge of nos., IPT-01 nos., LPT-02 & Gen-02 nos.).
mechanical maintenance of turbines.
Presently posted at BTPS from 2019. The 1st synchronization of the unit#5 after EERM
project was done on 21.09.2015. The M/C had no such
Abstract: trend of vibration at the first synchronization after
EEPM Project was done on EERM. The problem of high shaft vibration started
BTPS#5 during 2015. After that, after M/C tripped on HPDE High (+5.2mm) in the
repeated unit tripping happened month of Nov,2015 and since then M/C had a trend
due to high vibration of turbine. of high shaft vibration (mainly 1X,1Y,2X) in rolling
Article described steps taken to condition only. The tripping of M/C through 1X high
solve the problem. Now all the occurred on 11.01.2018 in steady state condition.
TSI parameters of the turbine The M/C had a tendency of high shaft vibration only
are satisfactory during rolling, in rolling condition prior to that tripping. There had
been a practice of increasing the load in case of high
synchronization &amp; shaft vibration also.
running condition. All the
bearing pedestals vibration are Several attempts were taken to analyse the root
below 3mm/sec & amp; shafts cause of vibration at that point of time, but afterwards
vibration below 90 µ compare the trend of increase of shaft vibration disappeared
to alarm value:206 µ, trip in the month of March 2018 without any findings
value:325 µ. There is no tripping or recognized reason. Unit was desynchronized on
occurred due to vibration after 05.12.2018 for the purpose of mainly Boiler and
completion the job to till now. Generator Overhauling along with some job planning
on Turbine also.

The total nos. of tripping of Turbine due to
high shaft vibration mainly through 1X (325
micron; pk-pk) reached to 28 nos. during the
period from January, 2018 to July, 2019.

The briefs of Turbine Jobs done in Dec,2018:

Major Findings:

1 Scoring marks on Babbitt metal
of bearing no.1&2.