What's up at Smart Energy International India, 2011

Smart Energy India- the premier energy conference in India, which echos the development of Smart Grid is all set to debut on November 14th, 2011 with a theme "Today's inter-operable solution for tomorrow's integrated grid." According to organizers, "Smart Energy International - India forms part of a global series of events that provides one of the most effective experiential forums available to the electricity utilities industry. Events take place in Australia, Middle East, USA, Canada, Asia and now India. They are an asset that presents you to international markets by connecting global buyers to sellers and people to people in the connected future worldwide! The conference presents Smart Energy India and World Meter Design Congress, which—together with the pre-conference on Smart Cities-will form a unique gathering of international and national experts and market leaders." 

The premier event will be attended by who's who of the industry including Sam Pitroda, adivsor to Prime Minister and convener, Smart Grid India Forum.  The two keynote speakers will present their views on following topics.

 India: Technological advancements and future goals

 By Honorable Mr. P. Umashankar, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India

Interoperability: Tomorrow’s answer today

Mr. Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Convener, The Smart Grid India Forum

   Featured Speakers

• Mr. G. V. Balram, Chief General Manager, BESCOM
• Mr. R. K. Goyal, Principal Consultant, Tetratech
• Dr. M. V. Krishna Rao, Director, GECE
• Mr. Harsh Sharma, Vice President - Meters, BSES
• Dr. Rahul Tongia, Director, C-Step

   Key Sessions

• The current state of the Indian Grid – an insight into the transmission and distribution scenarios
• Green Power - Renewable energy Integration in the Smart Grid
• Interoperability in the smart grid – an introduction
• ICT for Smart Distribution Systems – an introduction
• Smart consumer policies for a smarter grid

Apart from the above key highlights, the additional and probably the most exciting thing this year has is Smart Grid technical study tour which will visit Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore providing participants a broader insights of Smart Energy opportunities in India. India intends to provide electricity to every household by 2012, which will require over $100 billion investment in new transmission , distribution, and other related infrastructure representing huge opportunity for investors, companies, and other stakeholders. 

For more program details, use the following links

Website: http://www.smartenergy-india.com

Event Brochure

Smart Grid development in Asian countries Japan and Korea

In our continuous serious of profiling the Smart Grid development in the world, we are covering Asian powerhouse Japan and Korea in this segment


Japan: The largest Asian and the third largest economy in the world is gearing up itself to transform into low-carbon economy by adopting Smart Grid technologies. Japan has set aggressive target to cut Greenhouse Gas (GHG) . The Prime Minister of Japan has committed to reduce carbon emission by 25% to pre-1990 level by 2020. In 2010, Japan invested around $849 million in Smart Grid becoming the third highest Smart Grid investment making country in the world. The government also has plan to install smart meters across the country by 2020. Just like any other country, Japan has its own priority for investing in Smart Grids. The country has reliable grid and is not planning to overhaul the grid infrastructure, its priority is to reduce carbon emission by investing in renewable energy and integrating it into the grid. Japan's core objectives are: 1) Generate more renewable energy; use it effectively by programs like demand response. 2). Develop EV charging infrastructure at parking lots, 3) Develop new services using ICT and Smart Metering technologies.

Key Developments

• Three Smart Grid projects, 1) Remote Island Smart Grid Project 2) Smart Charge Project and 3) Smart House Project are being developed as part of the prototype for Community Grid System by Ministry of   Economy Trade and Industry (METI).
• Under the aegis of Japan Smart Community Alliance, four working groups viz. 1) International Strategy Working Group, 2) International Standardization Working Group, 3) Roadmap Working Group, 4) Smart Housing Working Group have been established.
• Four Cities, Toyota City, Kansai Science City, Yokohama, and Kitakyushu have pledged to reduce carbon emission up to 40% by 2030 using Smart Grid technologies.
• Toyota, Japan Wind Development Co, Hitachi, and Panasonic Electric Works are working on Smart Grid pilot project at Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture to test the grid that is completely CO2 free and dependent only on renewable energy.
• The Smart Networks Project is aimed at developing common communications standards for Smart Grid, networked Home Appliances, and Electric Vehicles. NTT DoCoMo, NEC, Sekisui House, and NAMCO BANDAI Games are key participant for this project.

Republic of Korea (South Korea): When it comes to technology, South Korea is matching step by step with its western counterparts. The Korean government plans to invest $24 billion (27.5 trillion won) by 2030 to build Smart Grid across the nation. Korea is one of the top 5 OECD oil importer and one of the fastest growing carbon polluter in the world. However, it has made strong commitment towards environment; it is planning to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 41 million ton and oil imports by 300 million ton by 2030 through Smart Grid Initiatives. The Korean Smart Grid is a comprehensive program which includes Smart Power Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Renewables, Smart Electricity Services, and Smart Consumers.

                                  Korea Smart Grid Vision

Key Developments

• The Government has launched $ 65 million Smart Grid pilot project at Jeju island along with major industry players like LG, SK telecom, and KT. The project will test integrated Smart Grid for 6000 households, wind power and four different power lines and will be completed by 2013.
• The Government of Korea and  State of Illinois, USA have inked a packet to jointly test and develop Smart Grid technologies. The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, other local centers from Korea,Argonne National Laboratory, and Chicago University from USA will work together. 
• Established Organization like Smart Grid Korea Association , Korea Smart Grid Institute
•  Through National Power IT, South Korea is focusing on 10 development objectives, which will an intelligent and environment friendly electric and energy systems.
• The country  plans to invest  approximately $24 billion ($18 billion on Smart Grid Infrastructure and $6 billion on Smart Grid ) by 2030 to achieve vision established in the Smart Grid Roadmap.

Part -1, Part -2, Part -3, Part -4, Part -5