IoT-enabled switchgear is crucial for electrical safety

How are energy trends and the ever-increasing demand for power impacting switchgear quality?
Infrastructure projects in the country, such as constructing new airports, IT parks, urban metros, and smart cities, have significantly boosted its energy requirements. According to the Electricity Ministry, India’s peak power demand reached a new high of 210,793 MW on June 9, 2022. Another factor impacting switchgear demand is the presence of numerous rural areas in India and the government’s initiatives to deliver power to these areas. The market growth has had an impact on switchgear quality in both positive and negative ways.
Positive impact:

• Smart and IoT-enabled products are being developed.
• User friendly
• Energy saving new products: BEE standards

Negative impact:

• The growing competition from the unorganised sector and the lack of standardisation
• Low-quality products due to an increase in customisation

How are technical and digital advancements helping you monitor and control the current in MV, LV, and HV switchgear?
Digital advances and technology offer the potential to meet energy demand while also pushing for sustainability. While IoT penetration of the internet in the electricity sector has increased operational efficiency, cloud-based technology has assisted utilities in cost reduction. Digital switchgear is outfitted with cutting-edge software that not only protects systems from potential cyber threats but also improves effectiveness while maintaining safety.
Many switchgear is not automated, making remote operation and control possible. Data can now be monitored in real-time and accessed online through authorised portals. Remote monitoring is possible for short-circuit failures, breaker tripping frequency, voltage dips, power line breakage, and other factors. These advancements have reduced downtime while also delivering operational advantages.
How do you look at the challenges in adopting sustainable materials to produce sustainable and reliable products and solutions in the power sector?

What effect does cost have on the same?
Until recently, practically all of the world’s energy came from fossil fuels. As we have begun to comprehend the environmental hazards of fossil fuels, such as carbonisation, health concerns, and climate change, the development of alternative, clean, and renewable energy sources has paved the way.
According to Forbes, the current costs of renewable energies are as follows:
Establishing new fossil fuel facilities ranges between $0.05 and $0.15 per kWh. In comparison, hydroelectric power costs an average of $0.05/kWh, onshore wind, solar PV, biomass, and geothermal all cost less than $0.10/kWh, and offshore wind costs $0.13/kWh. Furthermore, the cost of clean energy sources is decreasing year after year and will continue to do so as infrastructure improves.
What policies assist the industry in increasing localisation and domestic manufacturing in this sector?
Policies that improve infrastructure and logistics help local manufacturing become more productive. Manufacturers, in particular, require close supplier ecosystems to benefit from the availability of raw materials and resources and speed the realisation of many of these gains.
Policymakers can make a significant impact in favour of Indian manufacturers by offering incentives to suppliers who operate near ports and export-processing (or coastal economic) zones.
What kind of efficient equipment and safe products and solutions are you planning to introduce in 2023?
Panasonic consistently prioritises consumer convenience and employee safety while creating and developing new products.
The massive network of devices that function in homes, offices, and businesses and communicate and interact with one another impacts our daily lives. Smart sensors, monitoring devices, and home automation are examples of gadgets that analyse, monitor and regulate specific parts of our daily lives. We are excited to work on such novel ideas for our LV switchgear.