Science Minister Duncan lays foundation stone for high power conductor testing laboratory in Gujarat

Gandhinagar: Canada’s Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan on Monday laid the foundation stone for the “world’s first high power conductor testing laboratory” to be built at the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) here in the Indian state of Gujarat.

The laboratory is being set up as part of an MoU signed between the GFSU and Canadian energy technology firm, Kinectrics International, during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017, a release by the university said.

Among those present were Gujarat’s Energy Minister Saurabh Patel, Director General of GFSU, J M Vyas, and Head (R&D) of Kinectrics International, Paul Speekens.

In his address, Vyas said the state-of-the art transmission conductor testing laboratory will be built with an investment of USD 1.75 million.

“This high power conductor testing laboratory is being established to test and also perform forensics of high power conductor in case of failure. The low power conductor testing laboratory is available at Canada but no such laboratory is available for the testing of high power conductor,” Vyas said.

According to Saurabh Patel, Indian as well as foreign companies will use this laboratory for testing and research of high power conductors to minimise the power transmission loss. He added that the facility will also strengthen the trade relationship between the India and Canada.

Duncan said: “I applaud the partnership between Kinectrics and GFSU and look forward to their efficient-energy technologies that will be the source of new opportunities for learning, training and local jobs. It’s technologies like these that have the greatest potential to impact our daily lives and improve our quality of life.”

David Harris, Chief Executive Officer, Kinectrics, said: “This will be the first laboratory in the world built specifically for testing high-temperature low-sag [HTLS] conductors. Local testing will support a cost-effective approval process for HTLS conductors to service the growing demand for electricity in India, assuring long-term quality and reliability of power delivery to the public.”

 

Quick facts

 

  • The Gujarat Forensic Sciences University was founded in 2008 and has quickly become a leading research university in a range of areas from medical sciences to cyber security. It is the world’s first university dedicated to forensic and investigative science.
  • Kinectrics has its headquarters in Toronto, Canada. The company’s 1,000 engineers and technical experts provide testing, inspection, certification and engineering consulting for the electric power generation, transmission and distribution markets worldwide.
  • The Kinectrics Laboratory is expected to grow the local economy in India by CAN$4 million over the next year, with intentions of attracting and building business from neighbouring areas as well.
  • The Government of Canada has taken steps to boost the growth of Canada’s clean technology producers. It set aside more than $2.3 billion for clean tech in last year’s budget alone.

(PTI & Government of Canada)