BESCOM gets US aid to improve efficiency

The US today gave a grant of Rs 2.04 crore to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) to support integration of smart grid technologies into its existing power system to improve efficiency.

The grant was given by the US embassy’s Minister-Counsellor for Economic, Environment, Science, and Technology Affairs Blair Hall on behalf of the United States Trade Development Authority (USTDA), an embassy release said here.

The grant will be used to conduct a feasibility study to support BESCOM’s efforts to revamp its system using the best available technologies to improve quality, reliability, and efficiency.

Through this grant, USTDA is helping to develop the requirements and specifications for a smart grid implementation plan that will advance BESCOM’s efforts to meet the challenge of growing demand for energy from its diverse customer base.

Ultimately, this programme will enable the integration of smart meters and automated meter reading into BESCOM’s distribution system.

This project responds to the joint commitment made by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, last year, to greatly expand energy efficiency and clean energy cooperation through the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE), the release said.

This initiative encourages joint efforts to accelerate deployment of efficiency and clean energy applications and smart grid development. United States Trade Development Authority helps companies create US jobs through the export of US goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies and links

US businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries, it said.