Centre to consider smart grid for power distribution

After the recent breakdown of power supply in Northern Grid and subsequent breakdown in East and North-East, the central government is considering modernising the existing grid system by introducing smart grid in our country.

As a first step towards that goal a high level delegation recently visited Singapore and had a series of meeting with the experts there. The delegation was led by Sanjoy Kumar, director of power ministry, Government of India, and the team included officials from Power Grid Corporation, Central Electricity Authority, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and representatives of Maharastra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and some other states’ power facilities.

The delegation reached Singapore on 31 July and interacted with Singapore Power Authority for the next three days. “It was a study tour for us, and we learnt a lot from them as to how to approach the problem and look for the solution,” said one member of the delegation, who did not want to be identified.

According to the delegation members, the potential of smart grid is huge: It can automatically restrict overdraw of electricity and with smart meters installed at various points of power distribution network, it would be easier for the control room to isolate immediately any faulty sector and repair that. As a prelude to that already the electricity distribution companies started installing GIS with the meters. For example, in West Bengal alone, 62 towns are being fitted with GIS in the first phase. Another 40 towns will be included in the scheme in the second phase. Once the smart grid is in place, it would be easier for the generation side to balance the supply with the demand. But most important benefit of the smart grid would be that the quality of power would improve. The Singapore Power people, during their presentation before the Indian delegation, highlighted the fact that being a city-state; Singapore had nothing to offer to the investors in terms of land. Yet it could attract large foreign investment because it could provide quality electricity, which means, the uninterrupted supply of electricity at a steady 50 Hz, which was essential for running chemicals, pharmaceuticals and electronics industries.

The Government of India has already asked various states to initiate some pilot projects to test the feasibility of the smart grid programme. It is roughly estimated that around Rs 130, 000 crore would be required to bring the entire country’s electricity distribution system under Smart Grid. But the details are yet to be worked out, according to a member of the delegation.