Integrating an efficient, resilient, and contemporary T&D system

Transmission and distribution business leaders discuss the need to address the increasing modernisation in power infrastructure through technology and advanced power systems and the scope of having a RE-integrated power network.

The development of an efficient, coordinated, economic, and robust electricity system is critical for the smooth flow of electricity from generating stations to load centres (as per the Electricity Act of 2003) and the optimum utilisation of resources in the country to provide reliable, affordable, uninterruptible (24×7), and quality power to all. A transmission system connects the generation source on one side and the distribution system, which is connected to the load/end/ end consumers on the other. Transmission planning is the continuous process of identifying transmission system expansion requirements and their timing and necessity.

 We are undergoing significant changes that are realigning and reshaping our energy scenario. In addition, the government’s idea of “Power for All” is accelerating the power generation activities at fossil fuel and non-fossil fuel based/ renewable energy generation capacities that are expected to transform our energy sector in the coming years. 

India’s current energy status and per capita consumption

 India is the third largest producer and the second largest consumer of electricity in the world, with an installed capacity of 395.07 GW as of January 2022. Our growing population, the need for electrification, and per capita, power consumption is all adding to the pressure to expand power generation, transmission, and distribution capacity. 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), power demand in the country is expected to grow at a 6.5 per cent annual rate between 2022 and 2024, driven by rising consumption in the residential and industrial sectors. 

“We are already in good shape in terms of our energy consumption pattern,” says Raghavendra Mirji, Senior Vice President & Head, Electricals & Electronics Division, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. Today’s issue is one of planning. We proceeded with capacity expansion and increased generation capacity. Traditionally, this is done because installing a power generation unit takes a long time due to plant machinery, equipment, and many other factors, as opposed to the transmission system, which takes less time to, you know, put up. “As a result, the emphasis was shifted toward improving concentration capacity. We’ve advanced in time. However, the expected rate of infrastructure development occurred, “ he added.

The generation has not yet taken place. There are two to three reasons for this. For one thing, we didn’t have last-mile connectivity. In the last seven or eight years, we have electrified more than 40-50,000 villages, and our urban power infrastructure is deplorable. That needed to be improved and changed more drastically. Power generation appears to be a significant impediment, but two important distinctions exist. The first is that consumption is extremely low, which has nothing to do with generation.

1. C. Sharma, Chief – Business Development, Contracts, Stores & Technical Services, Tata Power-DDL, says India’s stockpile power generation capacity is still a long way from being termed as or considered empowering. “When we look at our progress toward developing a power infrastructure, we can see that power availability, capacity, and other factors are improving. Better planning and faster implementation can be seen in commercial and industrial spaces. So, to be more specific, I don’t think it’s the surplus generation capacity, but the progress graph is appealing and empowering.”

Bridging the demand-supply gap for T&D efficiency

 According to Sharma, generation companies are not accountable for maintaining the demand-supply gap. He explains that distribution companies are likely to estimate the power requirements and forecast the required energy consumption every 15 minutes; that is one of their primary responsibilities. This entire procedure is known as power scheduling and is then distributed to power companies.

Sharma emphasises that distribution companies must find new ways to balance the demand supply mismatch. Solar must be prioritised when it comes to renewable energy because its production capacity varies depending on plant capacity and patterns. Distribution companies must address all of the systemic, consumer, and prosumer uncertainties.

As Raghavendra highlights, “one of the primary responsibilities of distribution companies is to balance the demand-supply mismatch. Power companies must now be prepared to respond quickly. “Distribution companies will continue to be responsible for the activities occurring in the power sector, as mentioned by H. C. Sharma.” It is also referred to as the state load dispatch centre (SDLC) or the regional load dispatch centre. Now, the system should be robust in providing information to generation companies to ramp up or balance power generation in less time. Why is the burden still borne by the demand and planning sides? The generation company must also respond quickly. This covers the entire back-end planning of general GENCO firms in terms of technicalities, resources, and so on.

Improving Infrastructure 

In terms of our current infrastructure and improved system performance, old infrastructure and equipment must be replaced or upgraded with new and advanced ones. The revival of T&D infrastructure is difficult due to the structure’s complexity. Though progress has been made at various levels over the last few years with government and private sector support, more is required. “There must be one design, one specification, and one common testing system,” says Anil Saboo, Chairman and Managing Director, Elektrolites (Power) Pvt. Ltd. If you create a system for each piece of equipment, you will save money and get the right technology. There is less need for this if you design well from the start.

Integrating power systems for T&D efficiency

 It is essential to understand that we need renewable energy! If you notice, there are two or three things. One, where there is a need for the army, first and foremost, we need to understand that we can link that to the idea of constant power supply very well. Regarding power generation in India, we are growing at a CAGR of 7 per cent. We have already generated approximately 395 GW. If the goal is to go from 450 gigatonnes to 600 gigatonnes, we’re talking about 2030 or so because your per capita consumption Today is only about 1400-kilowatt hours compared to the world’s consumption, which is about four and a half thousand or so. So, in urbanisation, the increased demand for EVS, railway electrification, and last-mile connectivity that will pull power are all clear drivers that will pull consumption growth. We must look at balancing demand, generation, and distribution. Today, India has surplus power generation; we instead have constraints on the transmission side that create hurdles in ensuring a non-stop power supply. But I believe we will soon obtain efficiency even during peak power transmission scenarios, where additional power will become inevitable. In such cases, the traditional coal plants and other power plants will have issues like high capital expenditure,timeliness, and availability of coal, “says Raghavendra. Moreover, increasing environmental concerns push us to move away from fossil fuels. All of these And they all agreed, in one voice, that there is a greater need for greener energy.

Here, Sharma too, believes that the ongoing trends are inclining toward renewable energy, with solar playing its vital role in shaping our power sector’s outlook. Solar, among all renewable energy resources, is gaining prominence right now. It is coming very, very fast, and it can have a very low gestation period. So, it comes in very fast in six months, eight months to one year, many times. So, that is helping India move further.

Technology optimisation for T&D and the smart grid

In India, we are still fortunate to have more people entering the power sector, but there is large geography where it is still an issue. And thus, how we can optimise the use of technologies such as online monitoring, online health assessment, and asset management. Even if utilities vary across the country, we still have one fully functional synchronous grid. As a result, all transmission lines, substations, loads, and power generation facilities across the country are working and playing in tandem. Although the specifications of individual pieces of equipment or systems may differ slightly, at the end of the day, everyone is approaching the same vendors through different purchasing processes. And hence, Girish Dev, Commtel’s BU Head-AI and Digital Transformation, Commtel, agrees with the broad points made above. He says smart grids and critical power infrastructure have become a critical part of the transformation. However, when we discuss intelligent grids, smart cities, sustainable energy, energy security, and other topics, we are given a brief overview of the smart power industry’s future.

 Smart grids are fully embedded with an information layer that facilitates communication among various other components, making them more sensitive to changes and transformations in energy demand during critical situations. 

Investments in power transmission and distribution (T&D) systems have prospered on the back of the ever-growing need to increase the performance and stability of grids. Grid operators in the transmission and distribution market are increasingly raising their stakes in modern grid technologies, notably smart grids. 

An increased government’s focus on replacing an ageing power infrastructure is enriching the outlook of the transmission and distribution market. Growing spending on new technologies in electric power transmission is attracting loads of opportunities, found analysts in the global transmission and distribution market.

Growing environmental concerns drive us away from fossil fuels and toward green energy. Raghavendra Mirji, Senior Vice President & Head, Electricals & Electronics Division, Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd

India’s stockpile of power generation capacity is still a long way from being called empowering. HC. Sharma, Chief – Business Development, Contracts, Stores & Technical Services, Tata Power-DDL.

There must be one design, specification, and standard testing system. Anil Saboo, Chairman and Managing Director, Elektrolites (Power) Pvt. Ltd.

Smart grids and robust power infrastructure have become critical components of the transformation. Girish Dev, Commtel’s BU Head-AI and Digital Transformation, Commtel.