PDD signs MoU with IIT Jammu for capacity building, technical advice The Power DISCOMS JPDCL and KPDCL will aim at reducing the transformer failure rate by at least 15% in the current year. This target was set by Principal Secretary Power, Rohit Kansal at a meeting held at IIT Jammu today.He was presiding over the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU between Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited, JPDCL, Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited, KPDCL and IIT Jammu here today. The MoU was signed by MD JPDCL, Gurmeet Singh and MD KPDCL Basharat Qayoom on behalf of the two corporations respectively. The IIT Jammu was represented by its Director Manoj S Gaur. The Chairman JPDCL, Jagmohan Sharma and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.Under the MoU, IIT Jammu would help in providing an end to end solution for procurement, analysis and maintenance of Distribution transformers. The lnstitute would incorporate smart technologies and data analyses to provide preventive maintenance, data-intensive monitoring, damage analysis and smart metering technologies for end consumers. Real time monitoring and e-governance facility would also be provided under the agreement. It would also facilitate capacity building of engineers of both distribution companies and also provide smart technological interventions.The agreement provides for undertaking research and consultancy projects, and for developing course modules for training of engineers in addition to internship opportunities for IIT students. Nominated members from the engineering institute and the distribution companies would also form Joint Working Groups for implementation of the MoU. Experts and IT tools from the UT administration would also be provided to augment the joint efforts under the MoU. Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary hailed the MoU as an excellent example of Academia-government interface. He sais that while the DISCOMS would benefit from a massive reduction in infrastructure damage rate, and in identifying vulnerabilities in the overall power infrastructure, the staff and students at IIT would be enriched by exposure to real life problems. He also hoped that the technical expertise would help the power corporations procure the most suitable and effective equipment. Our aim is to provide improved and quality power supply to the end consumers while cutting down on the losses, said the Principal Secretary. He also lauded the Director IIT, Manoj Gaur for his support and proactive approach.Welcoming the move, Manoj Gaur expressed confidence that this would be the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship. He expressed confidence that the IIT team would bring in fresh insights and cutting edge solutions to the problems being encountered by the DISCOMS. A presentation was also made by members of the faculty as well as students on the path ahead in resolving the issues of DISCOMS.The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by Chief Engineer JPDCL, Chief Engineer Projects JPDCL, Registrar IIT Jammu, technical experts and IIT faculty members.Earlier, Principal Secretary Power Development Corporation, Rohit Kansal laid the foundation stone of a 2×6.3MVA, 33/11 kV sub-station at IIT Jammu campus, in presence of Chairman JPDCL, Jagmohan Sharma, Director IIT Jammu, Manoj Singh Gaur and MD JPDCL, Gurmeet Singh. The development of the substation is part of the ongoing infrastructural development activities at the campus. Pertinent to mention, IIT Jammu has not only developed nearly 2 lakh sq ft area in its campus but is also carrying out all its academic activities from its own campus.
