India’s first Micro Substation with Power Voltage Transformer (PVT) commissioned at TATA Power-DDL, Delhi

• Tata Power-DDL and Nissin Electric Co., Ltd. commissioned the demonstration recently at Rohini, Delhi.
• The project will use a specially designed Power Voltage Transformer (PVT) in customised Micro-Substation to supply electricity to consumers. 

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL), a leading power utility serving around 9 million consumers in North Delhi, in collaboration with Japan-based Nissin Electric Co. Ltd., has successfully commissioned the project, which has now been handed over to Tata Power-DDL.

The project is a part of International Demonstration Project on Japan’s Energy Efficiency Technologies, publicly solicited by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). To commence this project, TATA Power-DDL and Nissin Electric signed a Project Agreement (PA) on 21st August, 2024.

Prior to this, NEDO signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC), which is a leading Non-Banking Financial Corporation under administrative control of India’s Ministry of Power, on 10th January, 2024, regarding a demonstration project to supply power through a micro substation using PVT.

The project aims to supply reliable and stable power to remote areas across India that are far from power grid or don’t have fully developed grid but do have power transmission lines nearby. Instead of constructing a large network that requires substantial budget and large installation space, Micro Substation with PVT can convert high-voltage power directly from transmission lines to low voltage power, suitable for residential consumers. The introduction of this technology is primarily aimed at low cost and reliable power supply to remote load centers with challenging terrains. This will also be helpful in urban landscapes where there are challenges space for network extension to meet the growing load.

Key Advantages of the Micro-Substation over Conventional grid:

• Efficient Peak Load Management: This cutting-edge technology will be instrumental in Effective Peak Load Management during Summer season in areas where the grid is underdeveloped, marking a significant step towards next-generation grid solutions for India.


• Low operation cost: Since refueling and frequent maintenance of a generator are not required, running costs can be reduced.


• Space saving: A significant benefit of the micro-substation is that it can be installed in a smaller space thus taking care of the challenge of space constraint in congested urban settlements.


• Lower environmental burden: A significant CO2 reduction can be achieved compared to a diesel generator. In India, “24x7 Power for All” has been adopted as the main power-related policy, with the aim of supplying power to all regions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, in North and Northeast India there are many areas where transmission lines have been installed but a power grid has not yet been developed or is vulnerable. In such areas mini grids utilise diesel generators that cause air pollution.


• Direct Voltage Conversion from Transmission to Local Supply: The PVT can directly convert extra high voltage (EHV) power from transmission lines to low voltage power and supply it to the surrounding areas.

By installing a micro substation with a PVT, it is possible to supply stable power inexpensively without the need to build a large-scale substation.

TATA Power-DDL with support from Nissin Electric, will monitor the operation for power reliability, power quality and operation effectiveness form now on. Additionally, the companies will jointly explore the opportunities to take this to other parts of India, starting with other locations under operation of TATA Power outside Delhi. The companies have already started the discussion with Odisha Discoms for jointly identifying the potential sites for the same which will be followed by site visits and detailed action plan.