Date: 24th August 2023
Venue: Bhatghar Hydroelectric Power Station, Bhor, Maharashtra
Participants: 49 students from KJ College of Engineering Pune, comprising second year, third year, and fourth year Electrical Engineering students
Organizers: Mr. Mohitkumar Shakya (Faculty) and Mrs. Mugdha Kulkarni (Faculty)
Introduction:
On the 24th of August 2023, a group of 49 enthusiastic electrical engineering students from KJ College of Engineering Pune embarked on an insightful industrial visit to the Bhatghar Hydroelectric Power Station located in Bhor, Maharashtra. The visit was meticulously arranged by our dedicated teacher, Mr. Mohitkumar Shakya sir, who led the excursion along with Mrs. Mugdha Kulkarni madam.
Journey and Arrival:
The day commenced with our bus awaiting our arrival at the college gate from 7:05 am. Gradually, all the students gathered and settled into the bus. At 8:30 am, we set off on our journey towards the Bhatghar hydroelectricity power station. After an approximately 3-hour drive, we reached our destination at 11:25 a.m.
Exploration:
Upon arrival, we were divided into two groups – one comprising third-year students and the other a combination of second and fourth-year students. The third-year group proceeded into the Generation station, while the rest of us patiently awaited our turn outside the gate. During this time, we took in the natural beauty of the surroundings and seized the opportunity to capture group photos.
After a 40-minute wait, the third-year group emerged from the generation station, allowing us to enter. Inside, we were greeted by Mrs. Maya Kamble (assistant engineer) and Mrs. Shweta Choudhary (junior engineer), who graciously imparted their profound knowledge about the workings of the station. Our esteemed faculty member, Mr. Mohitkumar Shakya, also contributed by bridging the gap between theoretical concepts taught in class and real-world applications. The tour provided us with an up-close view of various components of hydropower generation, including turbines, alternators, penstocks, and governors.
Details of the Dam and Generating Station:
The Bhatghar dam, constructed by Sir Visvesvaraya Mokshagundam in 1927 on the Yelwandi River, stands at a towering height of 57.91 meters above the riverbed, spanning 1625 meters in length. A vertical Kaplan turbine, intricately connected to an alternator, operates under a pressure of 4.5 kg/cm. This facility boasts a generating capacity of 16MW, catering to four distinct regions – Bhor, Shirwal, Kamthedi, and Velhe. The generated output of the alternator is 11kv and then it is stepped up to 132kv at the switch yard section. The generator achieves a speed of 214.3 RPM. Maintaining a constant output necessitates consistent pressure on the turbine, regulated through adjustments of the turbine angles facilitated by the governor mechanism. Notably, the plant operates solely during a 6-month irrigation period, remaining inactive otherwise. The power station is administered by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board.
Appreciation and Return:
As our educational sojourn concluded, we expressed heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Shweta madam and Mrs. Maya madam for their enlightening guidance and knowledge sharing. Subsequently, we boarded the bus at 12:30 pm and proceeded to the Bhatghar backwater dam to capture picturesque group and individual photographs. Our hunger satiated at a hotel on the Satara highway, we continued our excursion by visiting the Prati Balaji temple, where we sought blessings and sampled the temple’s prasadam. Our spiritual journey extended to Narayanpur, where we paid homage to Lord Dattaray. The return journey witnessed our exuberant dancing to diverse tunes on the bus, encapsulating the joyous spirit of our college trip.
Conclusion:
With darshan completed and spirits high, we returned to our college, marking the culmination of our enlightening industrial visit. This experience not only reinforced our classroom learning but also provided us with a deepened appreciation for the intricate workings of a hydroelectric power station. We extend our gratitude to our mentors, the faculty members, and the management for affording us this invaluable opportunity.
