DRDO Transfers High-Altitude Tech to PGCIL for Ladakh’s Solar Power Project
The Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a premier laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has transferred critical high-altitude sustenance technologies to the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). This transfer took place 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.
The Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project, located at an elevation of 15,760 feet, is crucial for securing energy supplies for Ladakh and integrating solar power from the region into India’s national grid. Given the extreme conditions of high-altitude operations, the technologies handed over by DIPAS will ensure the well-being and sustenance of PGCIL’s workforce during the project’s execution.
DRDO’s DIPAS has long-standing expertise in high-altitude research, contributing significantly to the Indian Army in the Himalayan region. The technologies transferred include acclimatisation protocols, nutritional ration scales, protective clothing, cold-injury prevention creams, and shelters powered by non-conventional energy sources. These innovations are designed to mitigate the harsh challenges of working at high altitudes, ensuring the workforce remains healthy and operational in extreme cold and low-oxygen environments.
This transfer is part of a larger Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DRDO and PGCIL, focusing on leveraging DRDO’s high-altitude expertise to support PGCIL’s strategic energy projects in difficult terrains. DIPAS had previously developed similar solutions for the Indian Army, providing critical support for personnel stationed at high altitudes in the Himalayas.
The Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project is an ambitious venture aimed at enhancing energy security in Ladakh and integrating solar power from the region into India’s energy grid. At 15,760 feet, the project’s location presents unique challenges, necessitating advanced high-altitude sustenance protocols for the workforce involved. This project represents a milestone in India’s green energy initiatives, aligning with the government’s vision of renewable energy integration and sustainable development in remote and ecologically sensitive regions.
The orientation workshop, chaired by Dr Rajeev Varshney, Director of DIPAS, and Shri Amit Sharma, Chief General Manager (i/c) of the Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project, marked the beginning of PGCIL’s high-altitude operations for this project. Senior scientists from DRDO and officials from PGCIL also participated in the event. Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat, congratulated the DIPAS team for their collaborative efforts with PGCIL, emphasizing the project’s national importance. He praised the integration of DIPAS’s high-altitude expertise into such a critical infrastructure project, underscoring its contribution to India’s energy security and green energy goals.
Doubts Revealed
DRDO -: DRDO stands for Defence Research and Development Organisation. It is an Indian government agency that works on military technology and research.
DIPAS -: DIPAS stands for Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences. It is a part of DRDO that studies how the human body works in extreme conditions, like high altitudes.
PGCIL -: PGCIL stands for Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. It is a company that manages the electricity supply across India.
High-altitude sustenance technologies -: These are special tools and methods to help people live and work in high places where the air is thin and the weather is harsh.
5000 MW Pang-Kaithal HVDC Project -: This is a big project to create a lot of electricity (5000 megawatts) using solar power in Ladakh and send it to other parts of India using special power lines.
Ladakh -: Ladakh is a region in northern India known for its high mountains and cold weather.
Acclimatisation protocols -: These are steps to help people get used to living and working in high places with thin air.
Nutritional rations -: These are special food supplies designed to keep people healthy and strong in tough conditions.
Protective clothing -: These are special clothes that protect people from extreme cold and harsh weather.
Shelters -: These are safe places where people can stay to be protected from bad weather and other dangers.
