Summoning the power technologies of smart cities

How do you make a city smart? When will Indians finally get to live the dream of living a ‘smart’ life, something similar to that in popular sci-fi films. The smart cities’ peeps discuss what are the top technological challenges in implementing a smart city and what it takes to fulfil the dream.

Smart grids and smart meters go hand-in-hand while being implemented in any region; smart cities are no exception to it. Smart grids in simple terms could be defined as an extension of main grids, micro and/or mini grids which utilise smart communication devices. Sunil Rathi, Director, Waaree Energies says, “This results in improved reliability, increased energy efficiency, enhanced demand, side management and response.”
Smart grids are meant to reduce the overall costs in the system. Unfortunately, this conclusion depends on several factors. Each of these factors are highly susceptible to failure as most are untested in real conditions.

Well, markets aren’t efficient and users are far from rational. Apart from psychological assumptions, we overlook another critical capability. Siddharth Gangal, CEO, The solar Labs says, “The hardware and infrastructure required depends on global supply chains. In a day and age of distrust among nations, India would categorically fail to address manufacturing and intellectual property requirements.”

The financial requirement of overhaul requires a massive commitment. We are talking about replacement and up-gradation of transformers, grid and substations, meters, etc. Infrastructure that took decades to evolve until now. Gangal says, “Mobilising a lot of capital over a short time span will be a challenge. To be able to reach this implementation stage, we assume we have solved the design challenges. From standardisation of network communication systems and electronics, to future proofing hardware that lasts another 50 years.”

Challenges in implementing smart meters
Smart meters are an integral part of this system. Hence, a holistic approach is needed to address the implementation. Rathi lists down a few of the key challenges in such implementation:
• The efficient management of integrating the new and intelligent power system in the existing infrastructure.
• Demand side management enhances the power management. However, it requires enhanced grid designing, given the fact that each grid has a definite customer behaviour. This, in turn, needs perfect understanding and perfect modelling.
• Implementing such smart components require strong and diligent security measures. Protecting the integrity, confidentiality and availability of data is extremely critical, without which the entire grid could be prone to advanced cyber-attacks.

N P Ramesh, COO, Orb Energy says, “I feel that there has to be an advanced training facility for the meter reading personnel. Because of the lack of sufficient training and technological facilities, most of the people involved in reading bi-directional meters, are unaware of the actual process.” For example, in most of the cities, meter reading and electricity bill is not yet computerised. They still follow manual processes, further leading to inaccuracies.
Moreover, the concept of smart city, has not been flourished all over the country. There, do exist several cities that are yet to be considered to be capable of being one. Most importantly, Ramesh is of the opinion that the idea of smart city and the existing smart cities are entirely reliant on the government’s assistance.

To implement smart meters, you need suppliers, standards, political will, investor mobilisation and management of public perception. There are problems to be addressed regarding network communication standards. Gangal is of the opinion that implementation of smart meters in isolation is a wrong path forward. Capabilities at supply management side must also improve. Moreover, there are multiple meter replacement programs already in progress. Newer analog meters have taken place of ancient electric meters. The production and phased implementation of newer smart meters in these districts will be logistical nightmare.

Security challenges in securing a smart city
Securing smart cities require a comprehensive approach across multiple domains including governance, management, process, people and technology. Effective deterrent, preventive, detective and corrective controls across these domains are required for ensuring a comprehensive and total security for smart cities.

Pradeep Menon, Chief Officer – Lakhshya Cyber Security Labs says, “For smart city security to be effective, it is imperative that security is built into each layer, periodically assessed, continuously monitored and fixes performed to close the vulnerabilities. The smart city security stack is only strong as the weakest layer and any weakness in any of the layer can compromise the security of the entire smart city security system.”

Advancement in IoT and new age technology is likely to make life more smooth. However, Raj Jadhav, VP –Solution Consulting, Technical Support & IT at D-Link (India) Ltd. is of the opinion that these advancements in the public services can also become a haven for hackers. Any deliberate false alarm through malicious hacking can create chaotic situations and also can trigger mass panic.

Jadhav says, “In my opinion, security guidelines for smart cities should be derived with consensus of security providers, product manufacturers and users. If smart city devices are to be exposed to internet, then right access authorisations is needed.” Alert network management tools should be installed as this can help to identify the vulnerabilities well before any untoward incidence. As preventive measure, it is essential to have strong security rules to prevent access to vital systems and set the norms for security credentials.

Gearing up for an electric vehicle future in greener smart cities
Electric vehicles are an integral part of a green smart city. New battery technology breakthrough is bringing down the cost per KWh making it viable to build electric buses, cars and two-wheelers. New technology in energy storage like a lithium-air battery, as it’s called, could reach an energy density of 400 watt-hours/kg, which is enough to power a car up-to 1000 km per charge. Charging would take just 30 minutes or less with newer tech.

Naman Chopra, Director, CEO – RexNamo Automotive says, “When these technologies are made commercially, then nobody will buy petrol/diesel powered vehicles. Plus, electric vehicles are quieter, with no vibrations, are automatic transmission and much simpler to drive and maintain as they have less moving parts.”
In the next five years, 90 per cent of all innovations in car manufacturing will be driven by electronics, as vehicles are going to have to process exponentially growing quantities of data. In the future, a standard car will need up to 100 of these computers, because the data volumes will multiply. This is due to the growing number of high-performance driver assistance systems that make driving safer and more comfortable. Increasing communication capabilities and connectivity also require more and more data processing capacity.

Barun Bharadwaj, Regional Business Director(IMEA), Automotive OEM, Henkel Adhesive Technologies says, “We, at Henkel, believe that the car of the future will not only be electric and sustainable, but also intelligent, connected and digitally operated. Besides this, some cars will be able to transport passengers to their chosen destination autonomously in autopilot mode and enabling driving point A to B more efficient & sustainable. However, irrespective of their type or model, cars will need to focus on safety and comfort.”

Smart cities mean shaping a sustainable development, and being less pollutant; so automatically having electric vehicles in smart cities is kind of a best fit! But, on the ground, what exactly does smart city mean for an electric vehicle is that people living in smart cities, must opt for electric vehicles.

Futuristic planning of smart cities by Government 2.0
Just developing smart cities won’t help us in the longer run; the new government should plan to make the urban areas smarter, sustainable, and more liveable taking the help of cutting-edge technologies and careful planning.

Ankit Tayal, Co-Founder, Step Industries says, “The promise of smart cities should be to address every thorny issue that troubles people today while enhancing their standard of living.” Right from urban planning best practices, economic strengthening, and efficient resource management to social development, smart cities should promise everything that is required to improve citizens’ lifestyles and keep the environment clean. Smart, economically viable, technology-powered, and environmentally friendly cities will fulfil not only the needs of the current generation but also be proactive enough to meet the futuristic demands.

When looking at transportation in smart cities, it is important to note that focusing on cars and highways is not the way forward. By creating more flyovers everywhere, we are not solving transportation issues; with flyovers – we bring along a whole set of other problems. Chopra, RexNamo Automotive says, “New smart cities must be focused around the pedestrian, buses and 2-wheelers. Just like railways and metro are a “layer” of transportation – the government (along with industry expert’s assistance) should create a new layer of transportation which is focused on shared mobility, electric and autonomous.”
“Protecting the integrity, confidentiality and availability of data is extremely critical, without which the entire grid could be prone to advanced cyber-attacks!”
Sunil Rathi, DirectorWaaree Energies

“Having electric vehicles in smart cities is kind of a best fit!”
Barun Bharadwaj, Regional Business Director(IMEA), Automotive OEM, Henkel Adhesive Technologies

“Mobilising a lot of capital over a short time span will be a challenge!”
Siddharth Gangal, CEO, The solar Labs

“I feel that there has to be an advanced training facility for the meter reading personnel!”
N P Ramesh, COO, Orb energy

“It is imperative that security is built into each layer, periodically assessed, continuously monitored and fixes performed to close the vulnerabilities!”
Pradeep Menon, Chief Officer, Lakhshya Cyber Security Labs

“Alert network management tools should be installed as this can help to identify the vulnerabilities well before any untoward incidence!”
Raj Jadhav, VP –Solution Consulting, Technical Support & IT at D-Link (India) Ltd.

“In the future, a standard car will need up to 100 of these computers, because the data volumes will multiply!”
Naman Chopra, Director, CEO, RexNamo Automotive

“Initial 2 million vehicles must be sold on fair prices, or by means of commercial delivery to boost sales of electric vehicles!”
Sohinder Gill, Global CEO, Hero Electric and Director General, SMEV

“The promise of smart cities should be to address every thorny issue that troubles people!”
Ankit Tayal, Co-Founder, Step Industries