India’s first micro substation with PVT installed

In a step towards powering India’s remote and underserved areas, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL), in partnership with Japan-based Nissin Electric Co. Ltd., has commissioned the country’s first Micro Substation equipped with a Power Voltage Transformer (PVT). This innovative power solution has been installed in Sector 22 of Rohini, North Delhi, and is currently supplying electricity to around 20 to 30 families as part of a trial.

The Micro Substation is equipped with a specially designed Power Voltage Transformer that has the unique ability to directly convert extra high voltage (EHV) electricity from overhead transmission lines to low voltage electricity suitable for home use. This allows areas that lack grid infrastructure to still benefit from transmission lines passing nearby, eliminating the need to build costly and space-consuming substations.

An official associated with the project highlighted the cost-efficiency of the innovation: “To build a traditional power network in remote or challenging areas typically costs around `50 to 60 crore and requires a lot of land. But with this PVT-based Micro Substation, the same can be done in less than `2 crore and with minimal space.” 

“Additionally, the project can cater the power requirements of 50-60 families with one micro power substation, which is best suited for areas with lesser density.” he added.

The project aims to tackle one of India’s long-standing issues — supplying reliable and affordable electricity to places where power grids are either underdeveloped or completely absent, but where high-voltage transmission lines are already available. With a growing need for decentralised and efficient power systems, especially in remote terrains and space-constrained urban settlements, this Micro Substation represents a practical and futuristic solution

This pioneering project is part of the “International Demonstration Project on Japan’s Energy Efficiency Technologies,” led by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO), a Japanese Government-backed body. The journey started in January 2024, when NEDO signed a Letter of Intent with India’s Power Finance Corporation (PFC), followed by a formal agreement between Tata Power-DDL and Nissin Electric in August 2024.

One of the features of this Micro Substation technology is that it removes the dependency on diesel generators in rural mini-grids. Diesel generators are not only costly to operate but also contribute significantly to air pollution and carbon emissions. In contrast, the PVT system promises lower operational costs, minimal maintenance and a major reduction in carbon footprint, aligning with India’s “24x7 Power for All” mission, said the officials.

In urban contexts too, the micro substation offers benefits. As cities grow and space becomes a premium, building new power infrastructure is increasingly difficult. This compact substation model provides a reliable alternative, especially in areas where the grid is under stress during peak demand, such as during the scorching summer months.

Tata Power-DDL, which currently serves nearly 9 million consumers in North Delhi, has taken full control of the pilot project. The company, along with Nissin Electric, will monitor performance metrics such as power quality, reliability, and operational efficiency over the coming months. If successful, the model is expected to be replicated in other parts of India. As per the officials, the partners have already initiated discussions with Odisha’s power distribution companies to identify future sites where this model can be deployed. Site visits and action plans are being prepared to scale the solution to other regions.