Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Sept 15: In order to reduce the Aggregated Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and outages besides ensuring customer satisfaction, the State Government has decided to introduce Smart Grid Technology and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Power Development Department and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) to develop consumer-utility interactive Smart Grid in various areas of the State. Initially, four towns—Katra, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Leh are being taken on pilot basis.
Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that realizing increased complexities in every segment of the entire electricity value chain, the State Government has felt it prudent to adopt Smart Grid applications to facilitate efficient and reliable end-to-end intelligent two-way delivery systems from source to end-user through integration of renewable energy sources, smart transmission and distribution systems, energy efficiency and demand-supply forecasting.
Since significant effort, investment and allocation of resources were required to develop the new Smart Grid infrastructure, the State Government approached the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, which has expertise in the Smart Grid technology, sources said, adding after series of meetings and discussions, the Power Development Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PGCIL some days back.
The consumer utility interactive Smart Grid would be developed in various areas which will cover smart metering and control through advanced metering infrastructure, power quality management, peak load management, outage management systems, micro-grid systems, integration of multiple renewable energy sources, energy storage technology and electric vehicles etc, sources said adding this will improve billing and collection efficiency and thereby help in reduction of Aggregated Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, reduce outages, improved customer satisfaction, energy efficiency and conservation.
In response to a question, they said, “holy town of Katra, tourist resorts of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Leh town are being taken up on pilot basis with an investment of Rs 100 crore”, adding “pilot project of Katra at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore has already been prepared”.
As per the MoU, Power Development Department would have the role and responsibility of identification of electricity distribution areas to undertake development of Smart Grid Project, assist in formulating the Smart Grid functionalities to be implemented in next three years aiming at full utilization of the distribution assets in the identified areas with energy conservation and efficiency, provide land, infrastructure, electricity and water for establishment of Smart Grid projects and design and implementation of commercial models for success of Smart Grid.
The PGCIL would assist the PDD in identification of electricity distribution areas for establishment of Smart Grid, preparation of bankable DPR covering Smart Grid functionalities, invitation of bids, evaluation of bids and award of contracts, supervision of construction and commissioning of Smart Grid functionalities, formulation of policy/guidelines for development of generation projects in J&K from renewable energy resources and its utilization.
In response to a question, they said that PDD will pay the project management charges to PGCIL on mutually agreed terms and conditions, adding the MoU will continue for a period of five years.
“The PGCIL will raise funds from the Financial Institutions on behalf of the Power Development Department and the improved revenue following use of Smart Grid Technology will be utilized to clear the funds raised from Financial Institutions”, sources said in response to another question.
Follow our WhatsApp channel