Hitachi Energy introduces Relion REF650 to the Indian market

The all-new Relion REF650 relay is designed to enhance distribution automation and medium-voltage applications nationwide, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply that supports a sustainable energy future.

Hitachi Energy in India has reached a significant milestone by introducing its latest innovation, the Relion REF650, a versatile protection and control relay designed for multi-application use. Tailored specifically for the medium-voltage power distribution grid, the Relion REF650 stands out for its enhanced flexibility, modularity, and robust security features. Its intuitive user interface further elevates its functionality, making it exceptionally well-suited to meet the evolving power quality demands of utility and industrial operations nationwide.

Distribution network protection system 

The release of this product in India from Hitachi Energy comes at a crucial juncture, aligning seamlessly with the Indian government’s strategic focus on enhancing and modernising the nation’s power distribution infrastructure. Through transformative programmes like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), and Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA), the government is actively working to ensure a robust and resilient power distribution network. A strong distribution network protection system is crucial for overall grid stability, which is key in reducing and preventing unnecessary outages. This effort directly supports the National Electricity Policy’s emphasis on delivering reliable, high-quality power nationwide.

The Relion REF650, with its cutting-edge protection and control capabilities for power distribution applications, is ideally suited to meet India’s expanding electricity demands. It ensures a sustainable, flexible, and secure power distribution system. As the country’s distribution network increasingly integrates renewable energy sources – driven by initiatives from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, such as rooftop solar and the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) – the complexity of the grid will intensify with the distributed connectivity of solar installations and EV charging stations. REF650 addresses this challenge by enhancing the precision of distribution grid management, enabling more autonomous and responsive operations to ensure a stable and reliable power supply across the nation.

Advanced protection and control

The REF650 offers an advanced solution for protecting and controlling primary distribution systems, combining cost-efficiency, ease of use, and high performance. With a modular, single-device design, it is built for long-term deployment and is scalable to meet evolving needs. Its Human Machine Interface (HMI) touchscreen provides real-time voltage and current data, giving operators full control with an intuitive interface. Certified to industry standards (IEC 61850 Ed 2.1), REF650 supports interoperability, is compatible across vendors through PCM600 3.1, and ensures top-notch performance. Simplified engineering and streamlined configuration make setting adjustments, testing, and maintenance processes more efficient. Its compact design saves valuable space, especially in constrained environments, while the modular hardware allows for increased uptime, greater sustainability, and operation across a wide range of temperatures and vibrations. Enhanced after-sales service enables reconfiguration with additional modules, adding flexibility to accommodate project changes at any stage.

The introduction of the Relion REF650 represents a significant expansion of Hitachi Energy’s distribution automation offerings, further solidifying the company’s commitment to modernising India’s power distribution grid. The product enhances Hitachi Energy’s solutions portfolio. It reinforces its power automation and communication leadership—a position underscored by its technology being deployed by more than 50 percent of global utilities. This milestone underscores Hitachi Energy’s ongoing dedication to driving innovation in the energy sector and supporting the evolving needs of utilities worldwide.