Why automate substation?

Experts talk on why automation substation becomes necessity in power sector

The Indian power system is one of the largest and fastest expanding systems in the world. The power system works under several constraints which need to be effectively managed to ensure reliability. The digital revolution contributing to the implementation of smarter grids has proven to be invaluable towards making our grids resilient. The Unified Load Despatch Centres at National, Regional and State levels allow for systematic operation of the networks in an age of a Unified Grid. The distribution networks are also rapidly expanding with the Government of India’s commitment for 24×7 power to all its citizens. There is a need to provide reliable uninterrupted power to our large urban centres which have become centres of economic activity. “Automation in distribution grids is a pre-requisite for ensuring reliable power to the consumers as it not only provides greater visibility of the real-time condition of the network but also allows to reconfigure the network in case of an outage. We have seen large investments under Ministry of Power’s programs such as R-APDRP and IPDS. The SCADA DMS projects under R-APDRP need to be extended to cover the next level of cities and also we need to provide more Fault Passage Indicators in our secondary networks,” briefs R. K. Chugh, Vice President – Digital Grid Business Unit, Siemens Ltd.

“There is huge requirement of automation in power sector because it provides the facility to integrate the power generation and transmission processes with business units. Today more than 20 per cent electricity in India is lost because of transmission and distribution. Existing distribution systems in India have certain innate inefficiencies due to legacy issues. Since most systems are monitored manually it leads to maintenance taking place only amidst breakdowns. “Automation is necessary to guarantee reliable and complete power system and usage information that can facilitate trend forecasting or help the utility in better analysis and planning,” Nitin Gupta, General Manager Pursuits, System Business, Schneider Electric Systems India Pvt Ltd.

India’s power sector is one of the most diversified in the world. Currently this industry is undergoing critical changes. Indian market is slowly diverting towards the control and automation techniques ensuring that the process industry has the right mix of technologies that will bring growth in the future.

Gupta adds, “There is a need of modernisation for automation as well as for the equipment for the aged plants as there are few stringent global emission norms and carbon footprint.”

Electrical power consumption continues to grow at a rapid place in today’s world and it therefore becomes very important to efficiently and smartly manage power distribution and consumption.

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