The MV Lab has been set up by engineering major Siemens on a space that is 2500 sq mt big. Siemens supplied Motors & Converters, Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Switchboards and SCADA & automation systems

One of the interesting aspects of the lab is that the construction took less than 11 months. One of the interesting aspects of the lab is that the construction took less than 11 months.

Giving a major boost to the Indian Navy, the defence force got its first MV Lab at INS Valsura last month. An MV Lab or Medium Voltage Lab is one of kind training center that allows Indian Navy officials to train, manage and operate modern equipment of Indian Navy without going to the field. This one of a kind MV Lab is at the Indian Navy’s oldest training establishment near Jamnagar. The MV Lab was inaugurated in January 2018. One of the interesting aspects of the lab is that the construction took less than 11 months. The construction of the MV Lab started in February 2017. The MV Lab that has been set at INS Valsura is contributing to the modernization and strengthening of the Indian naval fleet.

The MV Lab has been set up by engineering major Siemens on a space that is 2500 sq mt big. Siemens supplied Motors & Converters, Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Switchboards and SCADA & automation systems. As far as the scope of work is concerned, the lab includes training and simulation on concepts of Medium Voltage power systems, including high-power MV Generators, Switchgear, Motors, and Drives, as well as practical training on operation, maintenance, repair, safety margins, and emergencies. Another interesting bit about the facility is that it will be used for first stage training of naval officers and crew of naval ships, primarily, on Medium Voltage Power Generation, Protection & Distribution, and MV Drives & Motors.

Shedding more light on the project Bhaskar Mandal, Head of Process Industries & Drives Division at Siemens India told FE Online, “The discussion with Indian Navy staff started about 3 odd years ago. And, essentially it has been a decision by the Indian Navy to modernise and go from a diesel-mechanical propulsion to a electric propulsion.”

On the MV Lab being in tune with Prime Minister’s vision of Make In India, Bhaskar Mandal said, “A few core elements which are differentiated, which are made only in one location of Siemens globally, in Germany, which is a part of a component came from outside. That core component was commissioned here by our local engineers. Prety much everything else was as the Navy also says that it in line with the Make In India initiative.”

On the future associations of Siemens and Indian Navy, Mandal said that discussions are on the table for more opportunities. He said, “Due to non-disclosure agreements, not too many things that I can speak about at this moment. But enough to say that not just in propulsion but there are various other areas we are happy to be associated with in a fruitful way with Indian Navy.” Mandal further continued, “It is not just the navy. We are extremely proud and happy to be associated with the projects of Indian Navy and as an Indian we are very proud to be doing something together for our country.”