Eaton focuses on next-gen distribution solutions for power utilities

ELECRAMA is among the incredible international platforms for the power and electrical industries. Again this year, both the exhibitors and the attendees displayed tremendous excitement. “To further improve our customers’ electrical installations, we identified several futuristic technologies and presented them,” says Ripunjay Parikh, Director of Sales for Power Distribution at Eaton.

Please talk about your participation and focus at ELECRAMA.

We put a lot of emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and emerging digitalisation trends. One of the most critical trends nowadays, which is also the need of the hour too, is using sustainable SF6-free switchgear, particularly in power distribution. We now have solid-insulated, SF6-free switchgear up to 1250 amps and 25KA/1sec on display. We have improved the current range, voltages, and breaking capacities.

Regarding EV charging and the EV vehicle category, the adoption of EV vehicles is rising rapidly nowadays. And we need to provide the power to charge the EV, which necessitates the development of a nationwide infrastructure. Eaton is now uniquely positioned to offer a complete solution, right from the MV switchgear to LV switchgear and EV chargers. And this does not stop here. Considering the availability of sustainable solar energy, the next step is to create a solar power generation facility and integrate that into the power requirement of EV charging infrastructure. Eaton also offers solutions for battery energy storage systems, which can store the power from renewable sources when there is low demand and feedback to the Charging network when there is peak demand or there is no generation from solar energy.  These solutions are on display in our exhibit, and we’ll be pleased to demonstrate them.

We are glad to introduce the new generation of air circuit breakers (ACB) and moulded case circuit breakers (MCCB)on the low-voltage front. They are made in India, per the Make in India initiative, and will be available as a competitively priced innovative product.

At display, we also have next-generation automation systems and digital solutions for utilities, data centers, and microgrids. In the future, electricity users will also be power generators. Communities will have solar power-producing equipment, requiring smart infrastructure and a software solution to efficiently handle the available power sources. Eaton provides smart grid solutions that can integrate numerous power sources and deliver the optimal solution.

How do you see the need for existing and future product innovation and capacity expansion to maintain an uninterrupted and efficient power supply?

Although India is uniquely positioned with surplus power generation capacity, There is still a power deficit in some remote geographies. Infrastructure and effective distribution patterns must be built to make round-the-clock electricity available to the entire nation. Also, the availability of uninterrupted power is a key requirement to drive economic growth in a region.

Indian utilities have already embarked upon a journey of implementing power distribution reforms, intending to reduce the T&D losses as well as uninterrupted power availability. An important element of these distribution reforms is to change over from overhead distribution lines to underground cable networks and implementation of smart Ring Main Units (RMU) in the distribution network. Eaton offers the state of the art

As the distribution network is built underground, surges, malfunctions as well as misuse are unlikely, which are the major causes of poor quality. We believe that government programmes like RDSS will now ensure that cities and towns have consistent access to high-quality power.

How will these advancements in innovative products, solutions, and technologies affect consumer and user costs?

As India embarks upon the development goals, we are also committed towards the sustainability goals and are taking concrete steps in that direction, whether it is the implementation of Electric Vehicles or the reduction of usage of fossil fuel and reduction of greenhouse gases.

The use of innovative products will help our customers achieve their goals of sustainability. In addition to this, the use of smart devices will help customers get real-time information about their systems as well as provide them insights about the health of their system which can help them take preventive actions to address any potential outages.

What is Eaton’s commitment to developing and stabilising India’s green energy transition?

We are a Global intelligent power management company with operations in 175 countries and manufacturing in 70 countries, and we have access to the technology required to bring what matters to the market.  Eaton also has a world-class innovation centre in Pune with over 3000 engineers that help create new products and innovative engineering worldwide.

A positive move by the government of India is to transition from the usage of fossil fuels to electric vehicles. And the ministry, NHeV and the associated departments are discussing ways to create a robust EV charging infrastructure across key cities and highways. The government has dedicated resources in this budget to focus on electrification and green sustainability. Eaton is uniquely positioned to provide complete end-to-end products and solutions that benefit clients.

Regarding EV charging infrastructure, we can provide a complete solution, including medium-voltage switchgear, compact substations, lower-voltage switchgear, and EV chargers, as well as integration of these with an energy storage system and solar power generation. We can provide the corresponding technology and systems and also can work with partners to provide a complete solution.

The second key factor is the proliferation of solar power generation at the domestic level. This is where Eaton comes in, with a complete basket of 800V/1140 VAC and 1000V/1500VDC switchgear and PV fuses building a foundation for a safe and dependable system for PV solar power generation.

Which Eaton innovations can we expect to improve the power transmission and distribution sector?

Eaton is committed to growing in India and we are expanding our production facilities around the country, especially in Pondicherry. Localisation is being done for the next-generation circuit breakers, energy storage systems, and EV chargers. Eaton is also expanding to include the next generation of UPS with the highest efficiency level, and integrated with lithium-ion batteries which ensures a very high operation life. All of these will be produced at our world-class facility in Pondicherry.

For more details visit: https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us.html