Siemens commissions medium-voltage training lab for Indian Navy

Siemens India has commissioned the first-of-its-kind medium-voltage training facility for the Indian Navy that would modernise the naval fleet. The company has constructed a training lab at INS Valsura, Indian Navy’s oldest training establishment near Jamnagar, Gujarat, which will be used for first stage training of naval officers and crew of naval ships, primarily, on Medium Voltage Power Generation, Protection & Distribution and MV Drives & Motors, it said.

“The discussion with Indian Navy staff started about three-odd years ago. And, essentially it has been a decision by the Indian Navy to modernise and go from a diesel-mechanical propulsion to electric propulsion,” said Bhaskar Mandal - Executive Vice President and Head, Process Industries & Drives, Siemens India .

Siemens supplied Motors & Converters, Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Switchboards and SCADA and automation systems. The scope of work also includes training and simulation on concepts of Medium Voltage power systems, including high-power MV Generators, Switchgear, Motors and Drives, as well as practical training on operation, maintenance, repair, safety margins and emergencies.

“The project is significant because the Indian Navy is in the midst of modernizing its fleet, transitioning from diesel and steam propulsion to electric propulsion. The shift in technology to electric propulsion will increase the defense capability of the ships and will provide scope for reducing the carbon footprint of the ships. Once the officers are trained in the lab, they will be able to operate the electric ships that enter the fleet of Indian Navy in the coming years,” he said. “The advantages are many, and of course it is greener, it can go longer distance, it is lighter, because the technology that’s used in the medium is the technology where the cable lines are shorter and smaller and so on,” he said.