A First for India: GE Vernova Commissions Pumped Storage Unit at Hydro Complex

Energy equipment group GE Vernova said it has commissioned the first of four 250-MW variable speed units at THDC India Limited’s Tehri Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant, part of the Tehri Hydropower Complex. The 1-GW expansion will increase the facility’s power generation capacity to 2.4 GW, making it the country’s largest hydropower plant.

GE Vernova on June 6 said it has been selected to deliver a full water-to-wire solution for the complex, including generating equipment, power electronics and controls. The project’s reservoir also will provide water for drinking and irrigation during non-monsoon periods to the state of Uttarakhand, home to the Tehri plant. GE Vernova said the variable speed units will allow short response times during periods of changing power loads, providing more network flexibility.

“With this project, Tehri will become India’s first power plant to use variable speed pumped storage technology and the country’s most modern hydropower station. With fast transition between the turbine and pump operation, the four new units are expected to enable power control, leading to significantly improved grid flexibility. These are all crucial capabilities as more renewables are integrated into the country’s energy mix,” said Frederic Ribieras, CEO of GE Vernova’s hydropower business.

Hydropower is a major part of India’s renewable energy portfolio. The country as of last year had an installed hydro generation capacity of about 51 GW, making it the fifth-largest producer of hydroelectricity worldwide.

GE Vernova on Friday said pumped storage units help stabilize the grid by essentially acting as giant batteries. Water is pumped from the lower to the upper reservoir in times of surplus energy; in times of higher power demand, water from the upper reservoir is released, generating electricity as the water passes through the turbine. This technology is the largest source of long-duration energy storage globally, representing about 94% of total energy storage capacity, according to the International Hydropower Association.

GE Vernova said the project includes several of the company’s technologies, including electrical, electrical, hydraulic machines, and converters. The project includes the integration of the four doubly fed induction motor generators and the associated pump turbines with the power electronics and control systems.

The Tehri Hydropower Complex was initially commissioned in 2006, with 1 GW of generation capacity. The associated 400-MW Koteshwar Hydropower Plant was commissioned in 2012.

GE Vernova has a substantial presence in India, across generation, transmission and distribution. The company has five Technology and Engineering Centers focused on advancing research, development and innovation in new technologies and solutions. Additionally, the company operates 11 manufacturing sites that are undertaking local production and generating employment. The company’s workforce in India comprises more than 10,000 employees, including more than 3,000 engineers and technologists.

—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.