The Industry Interface Cell (II Cell) at SiliconTech, the engineering institute of Silicon University, organized a two-day industrial visit to HINDALCO, Hirakud on 19 and 20 May 2025.
The objective of the visit was to engage with HINDALCO’s technical team to discuss the Scope of Work (SOW) for four potential consultancy projects related to their 477 MW coal-based Captive Power Plant at Hirakud. The visit aimed to understand the technical requirements and challenges associated with the identified projects, gather essential plant operation and maintenance data for in-depth analysis, and outline a collaborative roadmap for potential project execution. Additionally, the visit sought to strengthen industry-academia partnerships, fostering real-world problem-solving opportunities for faculty members and students.
The visit commenced with a warm reception from senior officials of HINDALCO’s Power Plant and Electrical Maintenance divisions. The discussions emphasised on potential collaboration through four proposed consultancy projects. Key focus areas included power factor improvement using HT/LT switchgear systems, motor loading and efficiency analysis, battery bank parallel operation feasibility assessment, and a direct stroke lightning protection study. The engagement featured in-depth presentations, guided plant walkthroughs, technical deliberations, and data-gathering sessions with HINDALCO’s engineering team.
SiliconTech was represented by five faculty members from the Electrical and Electronics (EEE) Department, including Dr. Jayakrushna Mohanty, Adjunct Professor, Dr. Ramaprasad Panda, Professor, Mr. T. Dinesh Verma, Assistant Professor, Dr. Rajan Kumar Mishra, Senior Assistant Professor, and Dr. Arnab Pal, Assistant Professor. The visit successfully laid the groundwork for collaborative consultancy projects, fostering a strong industry-academia partnership.
