GE to install digital smelter solution at Vedanta’s aluminium plant at Jharsuguda

According to a recent report, GE has signed a contract with Vedanta to install its digital smelter solution at the latter’s aluminium plant at Jharsuguda in Odisha to enhance productivity.

The news came after the two companies jointly announced on Monday, February 17, that “GE and Vedanta Ltd.’s aluminium & power business signed an agreement to implement GE's digital smelter solutions at its largest smelter in India at Jharsuguda in Odisha to significantly increase its operational efficiency and productivity."

For the first time, a digital twin technology will be deployed at an aluminium smelter in India, which together with advanced data analytics will expectedly reduce power consumption substantially at the plant. On every 1 per cent reduction in specific power consumption about US$ 4-5 million annually can be saved in the smelter potlines alone.

This solution is also expected to improve raw material utilisation, increase smelter pot life, operational efficiency, safety, and reduce wastage.

"Being the largest producer of aluminium in India, with an extensive value-added product portfolio, this partnership with GE will help us enhance sustainability and bring in more predictability to our business," Ajay Kapur, CEO (aluminium & power business) of Vedanta Ltd, said in the statement.

Mahesh Palashikar, president & CEO, GE South Asia, said, "We are proud to support Vedanta''s efforts to drive operational excellence across its aluminium smelter plants which will include advanced data analytics to model plant assets and deliver process advisories to enhance business outcomes."