Gridtech 2015- the 5th International Exhibition & Conference, organized by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) with the support of the Power Ministry, was held on April 8-10, 2015 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This highly coveted event by POWERGRID, which also happens to be the leading T&D player of the country and a Navratna PSU, brought together various international and national manufacturers, planners, policy makers, investors, consultants, research institutions etc., becoming the largest integrated platform where superior technologies and creative expertise in the transmission and distribution domain were displayed.
POWERGRID successfully kept up the tradition of bringing the latest trend and technology on one platform during this 3 day event which witnessed the participation of over 110 exhibitors and 30 technical institutes exhibiting emerging technologies at one place. Various panel discussions with leading industry experts exchanging views and sharing trenchant insights on relevant topics like integration of renewable energy sources, role of smart grids and energy efficiency measures were the major highlights.
Power to All: Vitality of T&D
India is on the centre stage to lead the 21st century global economy where electricity is cardinal to overall growth. In this endeavor, availability of uninterrupted quality power supply at affordable price while meeting the environmental norms is a challenge. The Govern-ment of India is committed to ensure 24 X 7 supply of power to all by 2019.
The Government has envisaged a mammoth capacity addition through both the conventional and renewable generations due to swiftly escalating power demand. Energy resources and load centers, mostly located away from each other, are wide spread across the country. In such scenario, the development of high capacity flexible T&D infrastructure along with sophisticated sensing, monitoring and control system is critical in ensuring the transmission-loss free delivery of electricity to end users.
Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy while inaugurating the exhibition and conference said, “The Prime Minister’s vision for 24 x 7 quality power for all depends on the transmission and distribution sector to reach the bottom of the pyramid. With the new technologies we are bringing in, we will now create an ambitious grid program which will meet the country’s demand.”
Mr. Goyal was of the opinion that latest technological development in the field of transmission, distribution, intelligent devices, information and communication technology, high speed computing, visualization etc. can play a vital role in advancing towards achieving the vision of round-the-clock quality power to all. “When I became the minister, in early few days people used to say that this is my baptism with fire and I learnt my lesson quick enough that my job is all about transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution. T&D holds the key and it’s a challenge to establish a snag free T&D infrastructure in the country,” he said.
Howsoever It may sound challenging, Mr. Goyal was optimistic that India can achieve the goal of 24×7, quality, and affordable power by way of increasing manufacturing credibility and bringing forth trendsetter innovations. “After my visit to this exhibition and seeing the prowess of our young students, seeing the innovations that India has to offer, seeing the capacity of manufacturers which will also support Make in India vision, seeing the technological innovations that will support the Digital India program, I have no doubt that India will soon attain the target of 24×7 power,” he asserted.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. R. N. Nayak, Chairman & Managing Director, Power Grid Corporation of India said, “The government’s ambitious plan to provide 24×7 power to all in the country by 2019 will require the deployment of latest technologies in the field of transmission, distribution, intelligent devices, information and communication technology. Against this background, Gridtech 2015 is the foremost platform where all leading stakeholders reiterate their commitment to bring about a transformative change in the sector thereby ensuring quality as well as affordability of power for all citizens.”
Mr. Devendra Chaudhury, Special Secretary, Ministry of Power said, “The entire power sector is gearing up to meet the Government’s vision of power for all. We need to create an access platform which will help us provide electricity to the entire population.”
Huge Investments in Next Four Years
Mr. Goyal underlined the vitality of the transmission and distribution sector by citing the huge quantum of investments slated to be made in the sector in next four years. “I visualize that the investment in our sector, for things like power grids, transmission grids, the last mile connectivity to homes and offices, etc., would be to the tune of at least Rs. 3 lakh crores i.e. USD 50 billion. This investment, of course, would be strongly supported by the Govern-ment’s USD 18 billion investment through two highly ambitious yet practical schemes one each for rural and urban electrification,” said Mr. Goyal.
Mr. Goyal was referencing the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) for strengthening and augmentation of sub transmission and distribution infrastructure in urban and rural areas respectively. Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) would help in Improvement in hours of power supply in rural areas,reduction in peak load, improvement in billed energy based on metered consumption and providing access to electricity to rural households. On the other hand, the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) has the objectives such as strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network in the urban areas, metering of distribution transformers/feeders/consumers in the urban areas, and IT enablement of distribution sector and strengthening of distribution network.
The estimated cost of DDUGJY for is Rs. 43,033 crore in addition to Rs. 39,275 crore outlay for ongoing RGGVY which will be subsumed within DDUGJY as a distinct component. The total estimated cost of IPDS including IT enablement of distribution sector is Rs. 76,623 crore. These two investments supplemented by private sector would aggregate to around Rs. 300,000 crore to be spent by 2019 and the Indian wire and cable sector, it seems, will have busy days ahead.
“These two schemes supported by private sector will take the investment of USD 50 billion to the last man in the villages at the bottom of the pyramid. Whenever grids are possible, grid will reach; whenever micro-grid or off-grid solutions would be the way forward, we will use that,” said Mr. Goyal.
Action Roadmap
“I would urge the department and all the stakeholders such as manufacturers, innovators, suppliers, etc. to come with a perspective plan for the short-term in next 3-4 years, for the medium-term in 10-12 years, and for the long-term in next 50 years to plan what we are going to do to serve the un-served and to make the power reach to everybody,” said Mr. Goyal, emphasizing the need to streamline actions through well laid out plans to achieve practical outcomes.
By saying this, Mr. Goyal underscored the significance of inviting ideas from all quarters. The kind of complexity and challenges are involved in the installation of efficient network of T&D channels across the country, a collaborative effort is a must to churn out the workable idea. The Government has made out ambitious targets to increase generation capacities to meet the estimated fivefold increase in electricity demand (500 GW) over next two decades, and this also calls forth a greater commitment on the transmission and distribution side.
Moreover, the Government is giving tremendous impetus to the increased energy contribution from renewable resources. With the 32GW of installed renewable generation capacity, present penetration of renewable capacity is about 13 percent, which is expected to reach to about 30 percent by 2030. Increasing penetration of highly intermittent and variable renewable energy sources as well as decentralized distributed generation (DDG) presents various challenges in its grid integration.
Ways Ahead
“It is very essential that India enjoys the fruits of modern technology, but it is also very essential that we ensure that pernicious climate change should be restrained and we should leave behind us a cleaner, greener planet for the next generation. We of course don’t want our children to grow up in an environment which is full of pollution,” said Mr. Goyal reiterating the stand acquiesced by many regarding resorting to environmentally sustainable practices.
“We in the power sector stand committed towards making renewable, clean, and green energy a mainstay of our overall energy security strategy. Towards that objective, I think Gridtech-2015 is an important mile stone,” said Mr. Goyal
Mr. Goyal, in order to give much needed impetus to new initiatives and innovations in power sector, said that three major initiatives will be launched in days to come. “I have requested the colleagues in the ministry to come up with three initiatives. Number one, to take this exhibition forward to showcase India’s capabilities by conducting it in each state, not just in Delhi; number two, from May 2015, we would launch an incubation centre to further encourage the scientific and innovative temper in younger generation which will come handy while exploring renewable energy options in forms of solar, wind, hydro, etc.; number three, to plan in next 15-20 days for how to make Gurgaon as a pilot showcase of the smart city model,” he said.
In addition, he underscored the various areas that need development to increase penetration of highly intermittent and integration of renewable energy sources as well as decentralized distributed generation.
During the valedictory session, Mr. Gireesh B Pradhan, Chairman, CERC said, “It is a privilege for me to be present at the 5th Gridtech Inter-national Exhibition and Conference and hand over awards to young leaders of tomorrow. India is blessed with an abundant renewable energy which needs to be tapped. For large-scale integration of these resources, latest technology has to be incorporated. I would like to thank power grid for supporting R&D in areas of transmission, distribution and smart grid.”
