Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI) has delivered India’s first indigenously manufactured 220kV mobile gas-insulated switchgear (m-GIS) system to the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID). The innovation marks a major milestone in India’s high-voltage transmission infrastructure, improving grid flexibility, disaster readiness, and rapid power restoration capabilities.
Key Highlights
- Developed By: Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI)
- Client: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID)
- System: India’s first 220kV mobile GIS (m-GIS)
- Manufacturing Location: Toshiba’s advanced manufacturing facility, Telangana
- Purpose: To enable fast deployment, temporary power evacuation, and substation augmentation during maintenance or emergencies.
- Design Concept: Modular “Connect–Disconnect–Redeploy” architecture — allows the unit to be transported on standard trailers, ensuring rapid mobility and reusability.
- Standards: Fully compliant with international design, electrical, and mechanical norms for safety and reliability.
About m-GIS System
Meaning:
- Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) is a compact, sealed system that uses SF₆ gas (sulphur hexafluoride) or its eco-friendly alternatives for insulation between high-voltage components.
Function:
- Controls, protects, and isolates electrical equipment in high-voltage networks.
Advantages:
- Space-saving design (ideal for urban and remote locations)
- High reliability and safety
- Low maintenance
- Enhanced disaster recovery and flexibility in grid operations
Mobile GIS (m-GIS)
- A transportable version of GIS, integrated with trailers, offering on-demand deployment during breakdowns, substation maintenance, or emergencies.
- Enables rapid grid restoration after natural disasters.
- Supports renewable energy projects (temporary connection or power evacuation).
- Enhances resilience and operational efficiency in India’s transmission network.
Future m-GIS Developments by TTDI
| Voltage Level | Expected Delivery | Key Purpose |
| 132kV m-GIS | November 2025 | For regional power evacuation and renewable linkups |
| 400kV m-GIS | August 2026 | For ultra-high-voltage grid readiness and national power corridors |
TTDI aims to strengthen India’s mobile substation infrastructure, enabling rapid grid support across regions.
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID)
- Type: Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU)
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Power, Government of India
- Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana
- Main Function: Transmission of bulk power across Indian states.
- Network Coverage: Operates ~50% of India’s total power transmission network.
- Role in m-GIS project: Conceptualised and guided the technical contours of the mobile GIS project to ensure operational readiness and resilience.
Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI)
- Parent Company: Toshiba Corporation, Japan
- Established in India: 2013
- Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana
- Focus Areas: Power transformers, switchgear, protection and control systems, and high-voltage technologies.
- Strategic Vision: “Made in India, Made for the World” – supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat and export of advanced power equipment.
Key Facts
- Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS): First developed in the 1960s in Switzerland and Japan for compact urban substations.
- SF₆ Gas: Used as an insulator in GIS systems, known for high dielectric strength but also a greenhouse gas- global research focuses on SF₆-free alternatives.
Indian Power Grid Overview:
- India’s power transmission operates on voltage levels of 132kV, 220kV, 400kV, 765kV, and ±800kV HVDC systems.
- India ranks among the top five nations globally in electricity generation and transmission capacity.
Ministry of Power:
- Established: July 1992
- Current Mandate: Oversee electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and rural electrification.
- Key Schemes: RDSS, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, IPDS, and National Smart Grid Mission.