PERFORMANCE BUDGET 1998-99 - Ministry of Power

9. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
9.1 CENTRAL POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, BANGALORE
9.1.1 The primary institution for Research & Development in the power sector is the Central Power
Research Institute (CPRI), Bangalore, set up in 1960, which functions as a National Laboratory
for applied research in electrical power engineering.
9.1.2 CPRI continued to play a vital role in quality assurance to ensure eligibility of power equipment
through testing and certification in accordance with national and international standards. The
year witnessed accelerated activity for improving efficiency in performance and in earning
increased revenue through testing and consultancy. This covered improvements in service to
customers by way of modernisation of handling facilities, reduction of waiting period and test
duration, expeditious issue of test reports and their presentation. Marketing & Publicity has
been given a boost by participating in international exhibitions. This has resulted in an increase
in the testing orders by foreign clients. Apart from getting accredited as per EN-45000/ISO
25 quality norms, the Institute has gained recognition by Underwriters laboratory for certain
tests which has further widened our spectrum of testing activities.
9.1.3 The focus was to achieve full automation in all the activities through computerisation and also
mechanisation of handling of equipment, sequencing of testing etc. In the area of computerisation
there has been a manifold increase not only in the hardware and software capabilities but also
in the networking area. A network has been established linking all the divisions locally, as well
as internationally through INTERNET and E-MAIL facilities. This has reduced the information
gap and enhanced communication. Training of engineers / scientists in the use of computers
and latest softwares was continued to achieve full automation.
9.1.4 The Institute continued its strides in the area of research by successfully completing ten projects
upto the end of 1998 out of a total of 83 on-going and new projects. A new thrust is given to
orient the research towards the benefit of the power utilities and the manufacturing industry.
This resulted in stepping up of liaison with the utilities, industries and academic institutions for
promoting joint research projects. As an
off-shoot of R&D efforts, CPRI continued its course of collaboration with other organisations
by signing Memoranda of Understanding with them for commercialisation of the technologies
already developed; viz., MoUs were signed with:
(a) M/s.Telecraft Engineers for design & development of 0.5 class accuracy Trivector
meter,
(b) M/s.Power Products & Projects, Bangalore for DC Earth Fault Indicator,
13