India's economy is one of the fastestgrowing economies in the world. Withthis growth, also increases thedemand of energy, which is

accelerating faster than the supply. As perDr Chandan Chowdhury, managingdirector Dassault Systems, India has notbeen able to achieve the target of powerproduction in the successive five yearplans since independence except for once.As per the Economic Survey, Indiawitnessed a peak power shortage of nineper cent during the five years ending 2012when over 50,000 MW new generationcapacity was created.

The major factor that leads toinsufficiency of power is the staggeringnetwork loss. In India, it even exceeds 30per cent. This loss in transmission anddistribution (T&D) raises the demand andincreases the pressure on the installedcapacity. Even though it is difficult tocalculate the exact portion of electricitytheft in T&D losses but utility organisationssuffer the losses, which further results inincreased power tariff for the end user.

The Indian economy is currently growingat an average rate of seven or eight percent and if it continues to be same forcoming ten years, the power demand is

likely to grow from the present 120 GW to315-335 GW by 2017, which would be100 GW higher than the current growthrate.

Prakash Nayak, chairman, WorkingGroup on Renewable and Microgrids, ISGFsaid, "Till now, approximately 300 millionpeople in rural India can't even get powerfor one hour a day. We are not utilising therenewable energy appropriately. Poweringthe future of India means strengtheningits backbone, which refers to 'power' andfor that the support of renewable energyis must."

In 2011, the International EnergyAgency had said that the development ofaffordable, inexhaustible and clean solarenergy technologies will have hugelonger-term benefits. It will increasecountries' energy security through relianceon an indigenous, inexhaustible andmostly import-independent resource,enhance sustainability, reduce pollution,lower the costs of mitigating climatechange, and keep fossil fuel prices lowerthan otherwise. These advantages are

global. Hence, the additional costs of theincentives for early deployment should beconsidered learning investments; theymust be wisely spent and need to bewidely shared.

Globalisation is apparent in India. Thesedays, various companies from across theworld are spreading their wings in theIndian market. Moreover, Upsolar Highperformance Poly crystalline and Monocrystalline panel producer from ShanghaiChina is now available in India.

The private sector has risen to meet thechallenges of India's growing powerneeds. The ever increasing demand forelectricity can only be met by developingpollution free and renewable energy.Besides, there is a need to sensitiseeveryone for energy conservation and theefficient usage of power. Fortunately, Indiahas supply of solar energy in abundancebut to incorporate its optimum use, hugeinvestment is involved. The storage ofpower generated at various points isanother major problem, though differentbattery systems, viz, lithium ion, simplefuel cells, Proton Exchange Membrane fuelcells and hydrogen cells are now availablefor use, to meet growing energy needs.

—Compiled by Vandana Singh

PPAALLLLAAVVEEEE DDHHAAUUNNDDIIYYAALL PPAANNTTHHRRYY

Indian economy is prospering and hence the need ofconsumers for higher energy use. But, apparently,India today suffers from chronic power shortages anddistribution losses. The government is analysing over

750 energy users towards reducing energy consumptionby approximately 10,000 megawatts (MW) per year.

To discuss various insights into the power grid sector,current and future problems, a road map of tackling themwhile finding capable solutions, The Economic Timesorganised 'Smart Grid Summit', in association with IndiaSmart Grid Forum as aknowledge partner to theinitiative, recently, in theCapital. The discourse waskick started by HimangshuWatts, senior editor, energy,The Economic Times. According to him, the way the gridlooks today is like the telecom sector of 1990s. Thedramatic grid collapse last year made everyoneunderstand the definition of grid, its relevance andfunctions.

The summit, spread over three sessions, offered aplatform to leading electricity grid distribution specialists,investors and regulators to share insights into immediatechallenges and pilot projects, which are started to realisethe smart grid roll-out.

The panelists of the first session focused theirdiscussion on topics like key objectives and overview ofIndia's smart grip roadmap, pilot projects, intelligentgrids, electricity distribution infrastructure upgrades andpolicies for electric vehicles. While speaking on theimportance of grids and sharing industry insights, PramodDeo, chairperson, Central Electricity and RegulatoryCommission, said, "The state grids have paved the wayfor regional grids. Power grids are vital for a country'seconomy, for they help generate electricity anddecentralise power supply with equal distribution. Gridsreduce cost of power and are capital intensive too. Mostimportantly, from a consumer's perspective, it isnecessary to incentivise the system."

RV Shahi, former power secretary and chairman,Energy Infratech Pvt Ltd, dwelled on government'sperspective and regulatory issues in the implementationand execution of power grids across the country."Accelerated power development and reformsprogramme (APDRP) encompasses as much advanced

technologies as it can. The power situation is yet tobecome good as far as distribution of power isconcerned, though it has improved in the past few years.Besides, the state owned distribution companies couldbe doing well, but they are in a bad shape financially.Investment should be justified on the basis of saving.Regulatory authorities must keep all these points in mindwhile formulating rules and guidelines for the power gridindustry," said Sahi.

Reji Pillai, president, India Smart Grid Forum, added,"More systems and consumers are being added to the

grid. The grid needs to continue to grow inthe future too, for the economy isflourishing. We need to leverage alltechnological benefits, especially the solarenergy, to meet the increasing demand."

Other two sessions, which followed,discussed on subjects such as: smarttechnologies; potential threats; renewableintegration; cyber security for smart grid;automating grid management;technologies for advanced meterinfrastructure; energy managementsystem; and net zero energy building."Marriage of IT and communication will take power gridindustry forward", said Prakash Nayak, chairman,Working Group on Renewables and Microgrids, ISGF

Most of the speakers focused on technologicaladvancements in the industry. Some talked aboutconsolidating the existing ones, while some opined to

embark on new technological advancements. "The 14pilot projects running across the country will decide thesuitable technology for the grid industry", said Pillai.

By 2027, it is envisaged that aggregate technical andcommercial (AT&C) losses would go below 10 per cent.This means cities like Delhi and Mumbai would havelosses below three per cent. The targets can beachieved if plans are executed properly. The 13th Five-Year Plan looks at no power cuts. How do we achievethat? "The immediate steps include: standardisation ofthe power system, for example of electronic meters.

Communication is also an essentialelement. Smart grid map needs to bedesigned for the country like the solarmap. Also, with proper guidelines, ROIshould be established with ease," saidManu Rishi Puri, principle, ResourcesGroup, Accenture.

Elaborating on communication aspect,Rajendra Mahajan, associate vicepresident, power automation, GTL, "Theidea is to connect, while providinginformation and knowledge to keystakeholders about their consumption

patterns to help them optimise their systems to do loadside management." Other panelists who shared theirperspectives at the summit included, Subodh Belgi,cyber security expert, India Smart Grid Forum andVasudha Lathey, deputy chief of party, PACE-D Program,Nexant/USAID.

AADDVVEERRTTOORRIIAALL && PPRROOMMOOTTIIOONNAALL FFEEAATTUURREETHE ECONOMIC TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013CCoonnssuummeerr ccoonnnneecctt iinniittiiaattiivvee

GURU SPEAKWe don't have to wait for theoutcome of 14 smart gridpilot projects. The regulatorof Delhi must move from theaverage cost of plan forpower and consumersshouldn't be overburdened

PPRRAAMMOODD DDEEOO

We have done fairly well inthe smart grid sector, sofar. Now, looking at thefuture needs, the thrustshould be on embracinglatest technologies RRVV SSHHAAHHII

MD, Dassault Systems

To prepare the grid plan,we should start from thehouse level consumption.Besides, we need to mapdata digitally. Power theftcan be reduced by punishing the perpetrator

CCHHAANNDDAANN CCHHOOWWDDHHUURRYY

president, India SmartGrid Forum

To provide electricitysupply to all thehouseholds in India weneed to leverage alltechnological benefits andsmart grid is the need ofthe hour

RREEJJII PPIILLLLAAII

president, Power Busi-ness, GTL

In Aurangabad, we areusing some of the smart

grid technologies to monitorthe end user consumption

for better efficiency. Thishelps in raising revenues

and using energy efficiently

AANNUURRAAGG VVAASSHHIISSTTHHAA

advisor, India SmartGrid Task Force andSmart Grid Forum

We don't need smart gridto cut down on losses, asthere are other systemsavailable to handle them.It should be put to somegreater useRRAAHHUULL TTOONNGGIIAA

Our company has 24measuring points for elec-tricity and 18 for water.So, we know how muchenergy we are using. Ifyou can't measure some-thing you can do nothing.

KKAAMMAALL MMEEAATTTTLLEE

head, Energy andUtilities, Infosys India

The skill gap needs to beaddressed first for asmart grid for the future.Also, data recovery is amust, especially when itcomes to security andhacking issues

AANNAANNTTHH CCHHAANNDDRRAAMMOOUULLII

We need research toolsto monitor howcustomers use energyand how the sectorneeds energy on a whole

director, SustainableHabitat, ADARSH, TERI

Resources are not going tobe everlasting so we needto conserve. Focus shouldbe more on increasingawareness amongstmanufacturers in creatingefficiency systems

MMIILLII MMAAJJUUMMDDAARR

principle, ResourcesGroup, Accenture

There is an enablementissue in the sector. Few ofimmediate steps for smartgrids include aspects likestandardisation, effectivecommunication and gridmapping for the country

MMAANNUU RRIISSHHII PPUURRII

With the growing economy, India needs to aggressively focus on narrowingdown the ever widening demand-supply gap in the energy sector

Energise economy with smart gridsEnergy experts say that the usage of smart energy infrastructure brings down energy demand and helpsoffset the pressure to increase generation capacity. To share insights into various power challenges anddiscuss probable solutions, The Economic Times organised 'Smart Grid Summit', recently in the Capital

Expert panelRathin Basu, country president and MD, Alstom T&D India; R V Shahi, former power secretary and chairman, Energy Infratech Pvt Ltd; Reji Pillai, president, India Smart GridForum; Pramod Deo, chairperson, CERC; Manu Rishi Puri, principle, resources group, Accenture; and Anurag Vashistha, president , power business, GTL

Vasudha Lathey, USAID; S Padmanaban, USAID; Kamal Meattle,Paharpur Business Centre; Mili Majumdar, TERI ; and RajendraMahajan, GTL

Subodh Belgi, India Smart Grid Forum; Chandan Chowdhury, Das-sault Systems ; Rahul Tongia, Smart Grid Forum ; Prakash Nayak,ISGF ; and Ananth Chandramouli, Infosys

>>

pg 27

Sustainable energy roadmap will spur economy

chairperson, CERC

An initiative by

Presenting Sponsor

Technology Partner

former power secretaryand chairman, EnergyInfratech Pvt Ltd

chairman, PaharpurBusiness Centre

Smart grid is the choicefor the future. With thegrid, the congestion andtransmission is effectively managed,increasing the power flowby 30 per cent

RRAATTHHIINN BBAASSUUcountry president andMD, Alstom T&D India

program director, SouthAsia Regional Initiative & sr energy advisor, USAID

SS PPAADDMMAANNAABBAANN