Having attained the Maharatna status, BHEL Corporate R&D, Hyderabad, is steering new engineering avenues with critical design solutions. A strategic plan is under implementation at the company to improve its technological capabilities, and the Hyderabad division is a key player in this, according to S Sekar, GM, BHEL Corporate R&D, who spoke to FE?s BV Mahalakshmi recently. The PSU proposes to spend R1,300 crore on R&D this fiscal, up from R1,238 crore last year. In 2012-13, BHEL recorded a turnover of R50,015 crore and a net profit of R6,485 crore, and commissioned projects worth 9,328 MW capacity. Excerpts from the interview:

What are the strengths of the R&D division which is gearing up to meet the demands of futuristic technologies?

We have formed a high-level R&D Advisory Council (RDAC)?which includes the principal scientific advisor, director general of CSIR, chairman of the Central Electricity Authority, and many senior experts?to provide directions for a long-term R&D framework and devise policies and strategies in futuristic technologies for emerging markets. The RDAC has suggested execution of 1,500 large-sized R&D projects in various disciplines. Out of this, about 600 projects are with this division and the rest in other units to bring out breakthrough ideas for better engineering skills as per on-site requirements. All BHEL products would have 3D designs and optimisation for better customer-specific engineering needs.

BHEL has been working with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission for developing eco-friendly renewable energy-based products. What are the newer initiatives in this segment?

We are working to launch some products in order to make solar power production cheaper. For the first time, this division has developed a solar thermal sun-tracker to increase power output from the photo-voltaic panels mounted on it and with a simple liquid-balancing system. We are preparing to commercially launch this product in the next six to eight months. Our prototype has shown that the tracking system can generate 25-35% more energy than the conventional modules mounted on fixed tilt structures. The tracking is fully automatic and driven by the movement of liquid from one side of the panel array to the other side due to heat generated by solar energy.

We are also developing nano materials for thin-film solar cells applications, which have higher absorption to fabricate photo-voltaic devices. We also have plans to make wafers, and have approached the ministry of renewable energy to provide the entire range of raw materials.

Super-critical power technology is the talk of the industry since it has better efficiency and lesser consumption of coal per unit. What are your plans to improve the performance of power plants with these technologies?

For the first time, we have developed an operator training simulator that helps in the training of plant operators to get conversant with normal and abnormal operations of super-critical thermal power plants. The Corporate R&D division has taken up a mathematical model approach for materials in super-critical plants.

BHEL has set up several combined-cycle power plants and is involved in developing integrated gassification combined-cycle technology to reduce carbon footprints. Besides, we have also developed training simulator, which has a virtual plant model and can be used for conducting dynamic simulation studies of the power plants.

Do you see any threat from cheaper imports of equipment from other countries? How do you see business opportunities growing in this fiscal?

The turnover from in-house developed products and services, at R9,643 crore, is about 20% of the total turnover of the company. The company?s intellectual capital stands at 2,170 patents and copyrights. Service is an integral part of components of the power industry. It is difficult for cheaper products, sold by fly-by-night operators, to sustain in the market. We are taking concerted efforts to strengthen our capabilities in product life cycle management, which begins from the design stage to the entire life of the product.