Smart Grid "A need of hour for Indian Power Sector"

Need of smart Grid in India

India is one of the fastest growing economy in the world cloaking an average annual growth rate of 7%+ for last 6 years. Simultaneously, the current Indian population at 1.1 Billion is growing at the rate of 1.4 % annually, and it is estimated that India will be the largest populated country by 2050 AD. Energy is the most critical resource for human development and growth.At present, India is unable to meet the existing need of energy to her inhabitants. Though electricity is available to 80% of the population, It is irregular and insufficient.The power interruption is a chronic problem with on average 17 power-cuts per month to manufacturing sector alone. The total installed capacity is 1,59,398 MW as of March 2010 data published by CEA. However, it is way shorter than the present need and requires enormous investment to meet the existing and future need of the growing population and economy.

This indicates that India is in dire need of Energy. New power plants are being built and more will require however, it want suffice the growing need. Because Indian transmission and distribution losses are amongst the highest in the world amounting 26% of the production. If non-technical losses like theft are included into total, it is around 50%, hence the total effective distribution is only 79700 MW out of 159398 MW generated capacity.

Thus, India needs smart grid technology more than any other country, which if conservatively can reduce the losses to 20% then it will provide enormous boost to growth. Numerous energy efficiency initiatives have been adopted by the government and Energy distribution companies, however none will be complete without Smart grid technology.

What is Smart Grid?

Smart Grid - An energy grid that uses advance digital technologies, which will increase the energy reliability, save energy and cost, and will allow greater consumer participation. The grid will changed from its present centralized model to decentralized model in which consumer can be energy receiver, supplier, and producer. Smart Grid is an umbrella term, which is used for combination of technologies, approaches, and processes. According to Department of Energy (DOE), USA, the grid will have following characteristics.

DOE Identified characteristics

"Informed, involved, and active consumers - demand response and distributed energy resources."

"Many distributed energy resources with plug-and-play convenience focus on renewable"

"Mature, well-integrated wholesale markets, growth of new electricity markets for consumers"

"Power quality is a priority with a variety of quality/price options - rapid resolution of issues"

"Greatly expanded data acquisition of grid parameters - focus on prevention, minimizing impact to consumers"

"Automatically detects and responds to problems - focus on prevention, minimizing impact to consumer"

"Resilient to attack and natural disasters with rapid restoration capabilities"