— James Wendorf, Director,
Industry Connections, IEEE-SA
IEEE is the world's largest professional association advancing
innovation and technological excellence for the benefit of humanity.
There are more than 400,000 IEEE members in over 160 countries
round the globe. IEEE-SA (Standards Association) is a leading
consensus building organisation that nurtures, develops and advances
global technologies, through IEEE. In this interaction,
James Wendorf
takes us through IEEE-SA's activities in India on nurturing the country's
competence in the field of Smart Grid. Wendorf notes that there has
been initial momentum in this area with the formation of the Smart
Grid Task Force. An interview by
Venugopal Pillai.
To start with, please tell us in brief about broad objectives of
IEEE-SA and how it seeks to build on the long-standing
enterprise of IEEE.
The objectives of the IEEE-SA Smart Grid Strategy are to
create a complete IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA)
ecosystem for Smart Grid innovation and standardization for
Smart Grid-relevant standards and standards-related
activities. The strategy is designed to ensure that IEEE-SA can
help the industry realize its full potential by providing a
portfolio of globally relevant Smart Grid
standards and services.
IEEE is uniquely positioned as it is the
world's largest technical professional
association and its members and fellows are
highly accomplished professionals from
around the world. IEEE has strong brand
recognition and a reputation. The IEEE is
known on a global scale for its renowned and
respected standards development process
and for its expertise in consensus building
and providing collaborative environments for
industry, academia and government.
Smart Grid is a term widely in vogue but often
misunderstood. How can one explain "Smart
Grid" as a concept, in simple terms?
The term "Smart Grid" refers to the global,
next-generation, managed electrical-power
system that leverages increased use of communications and
information technology (IT) in the generation, delivery and
consumption of electrical energy. It comprises of a digital
network that unites electrical providers, power-delivery
systems and customers, and allows for two-way communication
and two way power flow between utilities and their customers.
What are IEEE-SA plans in India in the specific context of
Smart Grid?
IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) is a
globally recognized standards setting body
within IEEE (the world's largest technical
professional association) and develops
consensus standards through an open
process that engages industry and brings
together a broad stakeholder community.
IEEE-SA standards set specifications and
best practices based on current scientific and
technical knowledge. IEEE-SA has a portfolio
of over 900 active standards and more than
500 standards under development, of which
more than 100 standards are relevant to
Smart Grid.
Given the broad spectrum of technologies
that will make up the Smart Grid, a wide
variety of industry players such as
manufacturers and power/utility companies
see the opportunity to participate. But to prepare for what could be a monumental market opportunity,
they need a collaborative environment. IEEE-SA provides just
such an environment. In addition to standards development,
education and creating awareness is also an important focus
area for us in India. IEEE-SA is focused on increasing its
engagement in fast growing markets like India, more so in the
past two years. We have started raising awareness of our
comprehensive standard development capabilities in India. As
among the first outreach programmes, IEEE-SA is holding a
series of Smart Grid workshops and panel discussions in India
this year.
What challenges do you foresee for implementation of Smart
Grid solutions in India, mainly in the context of the country
having a rather malformed power sector?
Smart Grid is not going to be an easy task since the Indian power
sector poses a number of barriers such as minimize
transmission and distribution losses, power theft, inadequate
grid infrastructure and low metering efficiency. This is among
many others
Voltage and VAR optimization can reduce Losses in electricity
transmission and distribution, using real-time information,
online system modeling, optimization software, and discrete
device controls.
The power industry has reached a stagnation point, and
needs a complete switch to the next generation, that is
automation. Moreover, as the technology is considered
premium, its implementation in the Indian industry has been a
bit slower than expected. In spite of the monetary issues, power
utilities need to begin with basic automation systems,
eventually upgrading to advanced systems. Seeing the growing
power demand and market competence, this is only the way
forward for the domestic power industry.
Power theft: Power theft has been a big issue in India and
voters should press the governments to plug these loopholes.
Over head lines should be insulated and the LT overhead wires
used for distribution of power should be replaced with insulated
cables so that theft of energy by hooking can be minimized. The
conventional energy meters should be replaced with digital
temper proof meters and prepaid card is also another solution
to eradicate theft of energy.
Inadequate Grid Infrastructure: Like in the US, for India to
continue along its path of aggressive economic growth, it needs
to build a modern, intelligent grid. It is only with a reliable,
financially secure Smart Grid that India can provide a stable
environment for investments in electric infrastructure, a
prerequisite to fixing the fundamental problems with the grid.
Without this, India will not be able to keep pace with the growing
electricity needs of its cornerstone industries, and will fail to
create an environment for growth of its high tech and
telecommunications sectors.
US, Europe and Australia utilities are constantly
implementing smart technologies into their grids. Among the
developing economies, China is planning to increase the
renewable energy proportion to 10 percent of the total energy
use by 2010, and 15 percent by 2020. We also could see signs of
active smart grid initiatives in Brazil, Africa and Middle East.
Low metering efficiency: The commercial losses are mainly
due to low metering efficiency, theft & pilferages. This may be
eliminated by improving metering efficiency, proper energy
accounting & auditing and improved billing & collection
efficiency. Fixing of accountability of the personnel / feeder
managers may help considerably in reduction of AT&C loss.
India is vigorously implementing the Restructured Accelerated
Reforms & Development Programme (R-APDRP) with a view to
restructure and revamp the power sector. What is your take on
the achievement so far and how do you see R-APDRP forming a
backbone of sorts for the future implementation of Smart Grid?
The Government of India's R-APDRP is a good first step and is a
front runner for the successful implementation of Smart Grid in
the country. The programme is designed to take 3-5 years to
implement across parts of India. However, successful and
complete implementation of the Smart Grid is not going to be an
easy task since the Indian power sector poses a number of
barriers such as-
Financial resources & investments: The utility industry is
capital intensive but has been suffering losses due to theft and
subsidization. The state owned transmission and distribution
companies have poor financial health and may not have the
financial capacity to fund new technologies without the aid of
the Government.
Lack of policy and regulation: No defined standards and
guidelines exist for the implementation of Smart Grid initiatives.
IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) is working to partner with
Government and industry bodies in the country and engaging
India's professional technical community, while leveraging its
expertise and experience in global standards development to
accelerate the process of establishing standards relevant to the
Indian Smart Grid market.
Capacity to adopt advanced technologies: Utilities and
distribution companies have limited experience in
communication technologies, needed to manage critical
components of Smart Grid. Also, if India's utilities are to take an
active part in designing and implementing IT and Smart Grid
projects, they must acquire the skills required to take over
operation and maintenance
Consumer education and awareness: The most overlooked
component of Smart Grid implementation is the education of the
consumer and what this means to them. It is important to build
awareness to create an understanding of Smart Grids, the
associated benefits and the potential implementation issues.
Cyber security and data privacy: For complete and successful
implementation of Smart Grid, India needs a national vision and
a flexible plan. India needs to develop policies and regulations
to create a receptive environment for Smart Grids by
encouraging innovation, establishing standards for
interoperability and allowing market oriented solutions.
What is your prognosis on Smart Grid in India; say five years
down the line?
India is among the largest and most promising markets in the
world. A leader in the community of technology-developing
countries, India boasts the world's second largest engineering
and technology professional's pool. Engaging India and its
technical professional community is a must. The participation of
Indian professionals will ensure challenges and factors unique
to the Indian market are considered in global standards
development and IEEE-SA is actively growing its engagement in
India to educate, promote and help evangelize IEEE'standards
interests in this important country.
While India's growing technological prowess is
acknowledged widely, there are many technical professionals
that are not aware of the importance of standards in technology
development and innovation, nor actively participate in the
standards process. As India becomes the R&D/IT/design hub
for multiple industries and verticals it is vital that IEEE engages
the Indian technical community in standards development. IEEE
looks forward to building on the initial momentum in the smart
grid technical arena. This is surely a boon not just for the
country but also for its large and growing community of
technical professionals.
In the coming years, how pronounced would IEEE-SA's
engagement in India be, and how would it compare with other
developing nations that IEEE-SA is present in?
Smart Grid is a strategic area of focus for IEEE-SA globally and
IEEE-SA has more than 100 standards and standards in
development relevant to Smart Grid. India is ranked the third
largest market for Smart Grid investments and there is initial
momentum in this area with the formation of the Smart Grid
Task Force. What India lacks is a collaborative environment
that works towards setting global standards so that Smart Grid
can use interoperable technologies and become a reality faster
and it is this gap that IEEE-SA aims to address as among the
world's leading and most credible standards setting body. It is
critical that India invests in collaboration and the creation of
standards at this initial stage. A fragmented approach will
result in loss of economy of scale and delay in the emergence of
the Smart Grid industry. With this, the IEEE-SA is dedicated to
working with industry professionals and government officials
and academia to work toward the realization of the Smart Grid
and as technology and markets continue to evolve. India will
continue to be a focus area for the IEEE-SA as it engages with
other nations.