New Initiatives

Collaborative Research and Development

• R&D plays an important role and provides platform for creativity and innovation and contributes in technological development and thereby in sustainable growth of organization. It can lead to operational improvements that can increase productivity.
• In this direction NHPC has adopted new initiative and has redefined the guidelines for R&D activities which is collaborative in nature and involving the various Department / Projects / Power Stations in the field of their expertise for improvement in the methodologies or up gradation of technologies which can play a crucial role in the growth of organization. Accordingly R&D proposals are being invited from all location of NHPC in the area of their operation.

List of ongoing R&D Projects

• R&D Pilot Project on Green Hydrogen Mobility Station at Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. Hydrogen generator will be powered by solar power of 300 KWp. The generated Hydrogen will be utilised for Fuel-Cell electric bus mobility in the local area of Chamba.
• R&D Pilot Project Green Hydrogen Mobility Station at Kargil, UT of Ladakh. Hydrogen Generator will be powered by renewable solar power of 500 KWp. The generated Hydrogen will be utilised for Fuel-Cell electric bus mobility in the local area of Kargil.
• R&D Pilot Project Green Hydrogen Based Fuel-Cell Micro grid (25 KWe) at NBPS Guest House, Leh. Hydrogen Generator will be powered by solar power of 225 KWp. The generated Hydrogen further generates electricity and feed to Guest House during night.
• Conducting trial to find out suitability for execution of Rockstab 1.2PU and Tamerete SSL” of Parbati-II HE Project.
• Logistic of Transportation of Fly Ash for Dibang Dam
• Optimization of Earthmat Design by Resistivity Imaging Technique
• Development of a suitable risk free cleaning arrangement of trash at Dam Intake.
• Analysis of strong motion accelerograph data recorded at NHPC Power Station for development of site specific peak ground acceleration attenuation relationship for Himalayan region.
• Development of inflow forecasting system for Chamera-III Power Station.
• Modelling to benchmark the operational availability of Hydro Generating Units of Power Stations
• R&D work for development of monitoring & diagnosing technique in reservoir area of Chamera-I Power Station under NHPC Ltd

R&D projects completed during the financial year 2019-20

• Design and evolving a diversion log boom for Salal Power Station to create a Trash Free Zone near the intake
• Cost Benefit Analysis of HVAF vs HVOF coating
• Introduction of Drone Technology / Operations in the project execution / implementation systems being followed by NHPC Ltd.
• Dynamic analysis for high concrete gravity Dams using FEM software
• Development of software for extraction of data regarding "O&M Equipment’s / Spares (E&M and HM), Construction materials - Purchase Details

R&D projects completed during the financial year 2020-21

• Remote sensing based sedimentation studies for Teesta-IV HE Project
• Development of software for Power Potential Studies
• Minor Oil leakage repair of Generator Transformer in Chamera-II power station
• Identification of suitable substitute for fly ash so that the same can be considered for roller compacted concrete Dams
• Checking the suitability of available fly ash sources in India for use in roller compacted concrete Dams” has been completed

R&D projects completed during the financial year 2021-22

• Hydraulic studies including studies related to cavitation in high head spillway by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLOW3D for Subansiri Lower HE Project
• Study & Performance evaluation of concrete spillway glacis rehabilitated with steel liner at Dhauliganga power Station
• Conducting trial of special shotcrete to provide initial support and stabilize the excavated portion immediately after boring in order to enhance the progress of TBM excavation in Parbati-II HE Project
• Study for Evaluation of abrasion resistance of repair mortars complying with specifications as per EN1504-3 (R4)

R&D projects completed during the financial year 2022-23

• Measurement of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from Reservoir of Chamera-I Power Station on Ravi River in Himachal Pradesh.Measurement of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from Reservoir of Chamera-I Power Station on Ravi River in Himachal Pradesh.
• Post Project Environmental Evaluation of Rangit HE Project Sikkkim using Remote sensing and GIS Technology.
• Monitoring of Stabilization of Power House back slope of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Projects.
• Landslide studies in commissioned / under construction Hydro Power Projects utilizing Remote Sensing & GIS Technology.
• Numerical and physical model studies for elimination of de-silting basins in hydroelectric projects by sediment management through reservoir operation techniques in Teesta basin
• Targeted Solution through emerging Geophysical Technology in Resistivity Imaging & Ground Penetration Radar for optimization of Geological uncertainties in Hydro Power Projects
• Introduction of Hydraulic Motor operated Rope Drum Hoisting System for one surge shaft gate of Dhauliganga Power Station under technology up gradation / R&D intervention

R&D projects completed during the financial year 2023-24

• Assessment on socio-economics of Sewa-II HE Project UT of J&K using Remote Sensing and GIS Technology
• Targeted Solution through emerging Geophysical Technology in Seismic Tomography for optimization of Geological uncertainties in Hydro Power Projects.
• Updation of guidelines for Repair & Rehabilitation of civil structures of Hydroelectric Projects and inclusion of new material / methodology based on performance evaluation.
• Monitoring hydro abrasive erosion, suspended sediment for optimal operation of Baira siul power station.
• Study the necessity & effectiveness of concrete cut off wall for Subansiri Dam as a seepage mitigation measure in soft rock foundation beneath concrete gravity Dam as a credible alternative to grout curtain.
• R&D projects completed during the financial year 2024-25
•    Optimisation of Earthmat design by resistivity imaging Technique.

Major R&D activities during year 2012-19

• CFD analysis of Penstock / Pressure shaft, surge shaft and part of HRT of one Hydro Power Project
• NPP-Development of silt resistant material for turbines of hydro generator in collaboration with NML and others
• Development of material having high abrasive strength for spillway, glacis
• Development of procedure for onsite repair of EHV Transformer (upto 400KV) at Power Station
• Development of fully automated river discharge measurement system for Subansiri River.
• Monitoring silt levels and suggesting measures to reduce the ingress of silt in the reservoir of one power station
• Development of high performance concrete mixes with polymer and fibers
• Integrated 1D and 3D mathematical model studies for reservoir sedimentation of Teesta-IV HE Project, Sikkim
• Study on bonding of high performance concrete with old concrete.

Signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with reputed Institutes/Organisations for R&D Collaboration
NHPC has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with below mentioned reputed Institutes/Organisations of the country for cooperation in Research and Development in their area of their expertise.
Online Cavitation Monitoring System at Teesta-V Power Station

• Cavitation is a complex multiphase phenomenon that involves the formation and activity of bubbles inside a liquid medium. It usually occurs when a liquid is subjected to rapid changes of pressure that cause the formation of cavities in the liquid where the pressure is relatively low. When subjected to higher pressure, the voids implode and can generate an intense shock wave.
• It causes negative implications on hydro turbines such as noise, vibration, surface erosion and performance loss. Inception and development of cavitation in hydro turbines depend upon different parameters such as atmospheric pressure, suction head, velocity of flow, temperature, surface tension, gas content in the liquid and operating hours of the turbine.
• Cavitation is difficult to be eliminated completely and cannot be avoided under off design conditions. However, attempts should be made to minimize it within acceptable limits. So NHPC is going to install Online Cavitation Monitoring System at Teesta-V Power Station since more than 90% of silt in Teesta region consists of quartz which is very hard and erosive in nature.
• The online monitoring system may be considered to detect and prevent cavitation and silt erosion at Teesta-V power station on experimental basis to see the outcome for monitoring cavitation in turbine underwater parts.
• Testing and Installation of Panels and its accessories has been completed at Teesta V Power Station

Knowledge Management Portal:

• DPE in association with ONGC has developed a common Knowledge Management Portal (https://samanvay.cpse.in) on which all CPSEs can share their knowledge, Infrastructure, SOPs, Best practices, Case studies, tacit knowledge, breakthrough innovations etc. in their respective functional domains.
• This portal is first of its kind in the world which will bring 300+ companies under one umbrella with the purpose of increasing skill, speed, scale leading to efficiency and timeliness by way of access to over 11 lakh users of CPSEs.
• The portal has been made operational. At present 2759 users from NHPC are registered in this portal.
• NHPC has also uploaded its various Manuals, SOPs, best practices, infrastructure facilities etc in “Samanvay” portal for end users from NHPC and other CPSE’s to update their knowledge / information

Established NHPC Chair Professorship at IIT Roorkee:-

• Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between NHPC and IIT Roorkee on 26.12.2018 for ‘ESTABLISHING NHPC CHAIR PROFESSORSHIP at IIT Roorkee’, IIT Roorkee on 22/08/2019 has appointed Prof. B. K. Gandhi as NHPC Chair Professor in IIT Roorkee for three years or up to 68 years of age, whichever is earlier.
• The NHPC Chair Professor will act as an ambassador of hydropower development in the country to catalyze innovation, research and development in hydropower sector in IITR and Indian academia, as well as to facilitate or undertake studies in IITR and Indian academia on environment and social impacts of water resources and hydro power development projects, including study and application of climate change protocol for promoting clean energy.