DRDO Transfers High-Altitude Tech to Power Grid for Ladakh Project

The Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) under DRDO has transferred essential high-altitude sustenance technologies to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). This transfer is instrumental for the 5000 MW Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project in Ladakh, aiming to integrate solar power into India's national grid.

The Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a renowned laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has transferred vital high-altitude sustenance technologies to the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). The Ministry of Defence noted that this transfer happened during an orientation workshop at PGCIL's regional headquarters in Jammu, in preparation for the 5000 MW Pang-Kaithal High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Project in Ladakh.

Located at an elevation of 15,760 feet, the Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project is a significant endeavor in securing energy supplies for Ladakh while integrating solar power from the region into India's national grid. The technologies transferred by DIPAS are crucial for ensuring the well-being and sustenance of PGCIL's workforce given the extreme conditions of high-altitude operations.

DRDO's DIPAS boasts extensive expertise in high-altitude research, known for its contributions to the Indian Army in the Himalayan region. The transferred technologies include acclimatization protocols, nutritional ration scales, protective clothing, cold-injury prevention creams, and shelters powered by non-conventional energy sources. These innovations aim to mitigate the harsh conditions of high-altitude work, ensuring the workforce remains healthy in extreme cold and low-oxygen environments.

This technology transfer is part of a larger Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DRDO and PGCIL, focusing on leveraging DRDO's high-altitude expertise for PGCIL's strategic energy projects in challenging terrains. Previously, DIPAS developed similar solutions for the Indian Army to support personnel stationed at high altitudes in the Himalayas.

The Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project is an ambitious initiative targeting enhanced energy security in Ladakh and the integration of solar power from the region into India's energy grid. The project, located at 15,760 feet, presents unique challenges necessitating advanced high-altitude sustenance protocols for the workforce involved.

This project aligns with India's green energy goals, representing a milestone in renewable energy integration and sustainable development in remote regions. The HVDC project will be crucial in connecting Ladakh's abundant solar power to the rest of India, ensuring clean energy transmission.

The orientation workshop, led by Dr. Rajeev Varshney, Director of DIPAS, and Shri Amit Sharma, Chief General Manager (i/c) of the Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project, marked the start of PGCIL's high-altitude operations. Senior scientists from DRDO and officials from PGCIL attended the event. Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, praised the DIPAS team for their efforts, highlighting the project's national significance.

He emphasized the importance of integrating DIPAS's high-altitude expertise into critical infrastructure projects, underscoring the project's contribution to India's energy security and green energy goals.

(With inputs from agencies.)