The conference session titled ‘Future-Ready Power Networks: Smart, Safe, Green & Resilient’ was held on November 04, at the CWF2025 Conference. This session scrutinized the necessity for resilience in India’s power networks, given the escalating demand across various sectors. As India broadens its horizons with solar, wind, and distributed energy systems, the reliability and adaptability of transmission and distribution (T&D) networks have become pivotal in supporting this transition. The session provided a platform for an in-depth exploration of how contemporary power systems must adapt to cater to the needs of a swiftly evolving energy ecosystem. To be prepared for the demands of the forthcoming decades, today’s power networks must embody the qualities of being smart, safe, green, and resilient.
The session was graced by panelists Mr. V.K. Bajaj, Senior President & Chief Technology Officer, APAR Industries Limited; Mr. Rajeesh Sharda, Executive Director, Fort Gloster Industries Limited; Mr. Benoit Lecuyer, CEO, Prysmian India & ACPL; Mr. Vishnu Patidar, Senior Analyst, Base Metals, CRU and Mr. Amol Kalsekar, Director-Marketing, International Copper Association India. They shared their wealth of knowledge, the challenges they faced, and their suggestions to enhance and secure the industry.
Mr. V.K. Bajaj, Senior President & Chief Technology Officer, APAR Industries Limited, reflected on APAR’s extensive journey since its inception in 1958. He shared that the company currently boasts sales of approximately INR 20,000 crore, propelled by three primary verticals– oil and lubricant, overhead specialty conductors, and electrical and telecommunication cables. “Innovation is the hallmark for APAR… our tagline is ‘tomorrow’s solutions today’, and that is what is driving our innovative product solutions,” he stressed.
Mr. Bajaj delved into the future of aluminium conductors, particularly in low-voltage distribution. He elucidated how low-voltage cables, though not readily visible, form an integral part of any network where reliability is paramount. With the global surge in copper prices, he observed an increasing shift towards aluminium, but warned that aluminium comes with its own set of challenges, especially at the contact points. He outlined how oxidation, heating and cooling cycles, thermal expansion, and the creep behaviour of aluminium can gradually degrade joints, escalate contact resistance, and even lead to overheating or fire if not supervised.
He further explained the concept of creep, describing how aluminium elongates under thermal cycles and does not fully revert to its original shape, causing terminals to loosen over time. He presented a comparison showing that while copper performs best, the 8000-series aluminium alloys behave far closer to copper than the commonly used EC-grade aluminium. He emphasized that countries like the USA have already transitioned 100% to 8176/8000-grade aluminium due to its superior mechanical strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and suitability for automotive and electrical applications.
