India cautiously adopting Smart Grid

India is adopting Smart Grid cautiously reports Financial Express. The report is based on the recent report published by Ernst & Young Analysis about Smart Grid. E&Y reports that the Smart Grid development happening across the globe will revolutionize the Power & Utility sector which has changed little in last 100 years. Advance economies like the US, parts of Europe, and Australia are adopting it a big way, the emerging economies like China, Brazil, India are following it cautiously. China is the early leader among the emerging economies. It has made Smart Grid a strategic priority and is collaborating with US through joint US-China Cooperation on Clean Energy (JUCCCE). Many Initiative are planned and MNCs like IBM, GE, Siemens AG and Cisco are investing in China's Smart Grid. India is bit slow and is taking measures through Individual company or cities. The reports indicates that because of financial risks like public ownership of utility companies, bureaucratic delays, and financial weakness of the sector, investors are cautious in investing in Smart Grid. I think, in the absence of government policy and framework the investors will not take the risk. As mentioned, previously in this blog , India is uniquely position to take advantage of Smart Grid as it is still building the energy infrastructure and can bypass the old Grid model. E&Y reports indicates India will save close to 15% of energy, which is equivalent to 12GW of power generation or total of $ 500 billion of investment. The savings in investment alone are exciting enough for India to aggressively pursue Smart Grid technology. The other benefits includes reduction in Greenhouse gases a huge indirect benefit as it will reduce numerous environmental issues directly impacting the country's socio-economic well-being. It will help meet the target of CO2 reduction it has committed at Copenhagen summit (20-25% CO2 reduction to pre-2005 level). A new emerging sector will generate numerous jobs and new businesses will generate tax and other benefits.

PowerGrid focusing towards Smart Grid Infrastructure

PowerGrid, a Government of India enterprise, is one of the largest transmission utility in the world. 45% power generated in India is transmitted through PowerGrid's transmission network. PowerGrid has close to 72 000 circuit kms transmission lines. The company is focusing its effort towards Smart Grid. One of the key component of Smart Grid is going to be BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) or Internet through electricity. One will not require separate connection for accessing internet, just plug the computer to a modem which is connected to power plug and you have access to Internet. With power plug available to most of the houses in developing world, the Internet will be available to most of the people on the earth. Imagine growth and sheer possibility for Innovation and the huge Internet market. The Navaratna, PowerGrid has given 100 crore contract to BGR energy for laying 4235 km fiber optics for five northern states viz. UP, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. The plan is to lay Overhead power ground wires (OPGW) along the transmission lines. Unlike the underground wires which are occasionally disrupted, it won't be the case for OPGW lines. PowerGrid is already using the technology for communication between their units, however laying such network across the country is a long process and will take couple of years. Nonetheless, the baby step is the beginning and it is right step towards Smart Grid development. 

Facts about PowerGrid

Power Grid owns and operate 20, 000 km telecommunication network

PowerGrid has taken up consulting assignment at Middle East and Africa

PowerGrid has 55,000($ 5.5 billion) crore investment plan during the 11th plan (2007 - 2012).

PowerGrid has been assigned by the Government of India to carry out electrification for 3500 villages.

PowerGrid is planning for FPO in september. 

MDI Gurgaon launches Smart Grid Course in India - First in the world

Management Development Institute at Gurgaon popularly known as MDI Gurgaon recently launched Smart Grid course and thus became the first Institute in the world to offer such course. MDI is one of the top 20 B-school of India. The event was inaugurated by Devender Singh, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Power, Government of India. The course curriculum partners are Oracle and Infosys. The School of Energy at MDI will conduct the course. Efficient energy management is critical for tackling Global Warming/Climate Change. As World and India moves toward adopting Smart Grid,  human resource will become critical component of transforming the archaic grid into Smart Grid. MDI has taken right step in fulfilling such needs for the upcoming industry.

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