Data Analytics will be key to rejuvenate T&D infrastructure

Tarun Katiyar – Chief Business Development, Tata Power. In an Interview with EPR Magazine 

With the implementation of digital and advanced technologies, India can attain a powerful transmission network capable of withstanding impending problems, says Tarun Katiyar.

 What are the possible practical benefits for transmission and distribution business from the budget 2022? 

With impetus on Green Energy, Budget 2022 has provided the much-needed push for creating roadmap of T&D business in India. With focus on Renewable, Storage and Hydrogen it has laid down a clear strategy for policymakers including CEA, CERC, etc. to come-up with suitable policy interventions for creating an enabling environment to push the country’s economy towards 5 Trillion mark. The clean energy transition envisaged in the budget cannot be complete without the distribution sector embracing distributed energy resources and becoming more vibrant and dynamic to respond to changing demand and supply scenarios which are being introduced at the edge of the grid.

 What are the significant changes needed in T&D infrastructure?

Energy sector planning needed to be done in a holistic manner considering upcoming challenges like de-carbonisation, digitalisation etc. Secondly, Upcoming technologies like distributed storage, grid scale Energy storage, V2G needed to be given special emphasis on energy sector planning. Also, the impact of new policies like green hydrogen require comprehensive analysis for optimum operation of T&D network.

 How is digitalisation enabling you to maintain efficiency, incessant power transmission and distribution in rural areas?

 Digitalisation and embedded eco-system such as Drone Survey, Satellite imaging, Software based simulation are help in transforming T&D landscape very quickly. In TATA Power, we are moving towards image analytics, remote maintenance and application package-based surveillance to prepare our network for the future. Microgrid business utilises technology to create sustainable business model to serve the consumers at the bottom of the pyramid. 

Tata Power has already demonstrated pioneering adoption of technology and digitalisation in its Delhi, Mumbai and Ajmer distribution arms which has resulted in transforming the consumer service delivery to world class levels. 

How are technologies like SCADA DMS, among the others enabling better security for T&D? 

Technology is playing an important role in improving the reliability, safety and enhancing the ability to avoid repeated faults on the system by providing data log of events. With SCADA DMS and other technologies, it has become possible to unman all grids and control operations remotely. Further, with the introduction of systems like Permit to Work, Tagging the safety of workmen has been enhanced significantly. Also, technology has helped to create N-1 / N-2 redundancies for supply of customers based on criticality of the installations. Data has enabled operators to move from reactive to proactive and predictive maintenance practices to avoid outages and in case they do happen, the restoration times have improved significantly through centralised monitoring. With the implementation of smart grid technologies, the grid is becoming resilient and reliable.