Modernisation of electric power grids is essential for growing economies and to conserve energy from the emissions of greenhouse gases from old-fashioned power generators. Reji Kumar, head, energy & utilities industry, IBM India & South Asia, tells FE?s BV Mahalakshmi that IBM experts are working with utility companies globally to add a layer of digital intelligence to their grids.
What technologies do smart grids use and why is it required?
Smart grids use sensors, smart meters, digital controls and analytic tools to automate, monitor and control the flow of energy across operations ? from power plant to plug. IBM?s Intelligent Utility Network Solutions can transform the way electric utilities manage and operate generation, transmission and distribution systems. This can dramatically reduce outages and faults, improve reliability and responsiveness, enable utility companies to handle current and future demand with increased efficiency and reduced costs. Electric utilities and policy makers across the world, including India, have started looking at smart grid technologies seriously and few pilot implementations in India are already in place.
What are the challenges in implementing smart grids in India?
Long-standing electric utility business models are rapidly becoming outdated in light of new technologies, policy changes and more demanding consumers. To succeed, industry model innovators must develop fresh business models, as well as the infrastructure, rules and standards to facilitate not only traditional energy generation and delivery, but also emerging products and services enabled by new technologies.
One of the key means to overcome the challenges faced by electric utilities in India is to transform the present network into an intelligent network with real time communication systems and smart sensors, smart meters and digital controls that can monitor and control power flows in real-time basis. We believe that the electric utilities in India are at the threshold of a major transformation.
How can smart grids benefit the consumer?
Smart grids are no longer smart ideas but a necessity. By providing accurate, timely, and detailed information on the energy being used, a smart grid will allow utilities and consumers to reduce peak demand and make the most of other opportunities for the efficient use of energy.
Asmart grid will seamlessly integrate all clean and green energy technologies, from electric vehicles (which are best re-charged at off-peak times, such as at night) to roof-top solar systems and wind farms. By expanding these efforts and the use of alternative energy sources, the smart grid will reduce greenhouse gases.
What research initiatives in smart energy distribution can make a difference to current systems?
IBM is the global leader in green technologies and services for past four decades, and leads the world in reducing its own carbon footprint. IBM is involved in more than 50 smart grid projects globally – from innovative research projects to full scale deployments of world’s largest automated meter management projects.
