Digitalisation, decarbonisation and decentralisation are key trends shaÂping the power sector today. UtiliÂtiÂes across the generation, transmission and distribution (T&D) segments are emÂbracing information technology/operatiÂonal technology (IT/OT) for enhancing consumer services, increasing process efÂfÂiÂÂciency and streamlining operations. InÂdian utilities are implementing new technologies, encouraged by goverÂnment scÂhemes and driven by the need to upÂgrade their systems with sector dyÂnamics chÂanÂging. Further, the Covid-19 crisis has acÂcelerated utilities’ move towards remote monitoring, predictive maintenance and data analytics to facilitate decision-making.
While advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and smart metering are the focus area of utilities in the distribution segÂmÂeÂnt, those in transmission are looking at technologies that aid operations and maÂinÂÂtenance, while generation utilities are adopting technologies to enable flexibilisation and remote monitoring. Of late, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), big data analytics and predicÂtiÂve maintenance tools are emerging as key trends in the technology space. As utilities reinvent and revise their technology strategies, cybersecurity and data protection have also assumed greater significance. Power Line presents an overview of IT/OT and digitalisation initiatives in the power sector…
Update on government schemes
The government has been laying considerable focus on enhanced adoption of IT/OT in power, primarily distribution, for many years. IT/OT initiatives were a crucial component of older schemes such as the Accelerated Power DevelopÂment and Reforms Programme (APDRP)/ Restructured-APDRP (R-APDRP), lauÂnched nearly two decades ago, as well as new ones such as the Revamped DisÂtriÂbution Sector Scheme (RDSS), launchÂed last year. The RDSS, which has an estimated outlay of Rs 3.04 trillion, will provide financial assistance to discoms on meÂeting pre-qualifying criteria, as well as upon achievement of operational and financial performance benchmarks. Key interventions under the scheme include 100 per cent system metering, prepaid smÂart metering, energy accounting, and infrastructure works for loss reduction and system modernisation, among others. The scheme also encourages the imÂplementation of advanced IT solutions such as AI, ML, big data and blockchain to help discoms in loss reduction, deÂÂmaÂnd forÂecasÂting and asset manaÂgemeÂnt. New technologies will be 100 per cent fuÂnÂded as grant under Part A of the scheÂme. In addition, the scheme envisaÂges distribution autoÂmaÂtion in urban arÂeas, SCADA/DMS in big cities (with populations of over 275,000), upgradation of biÂllÂing and other IT/OT systems, and auÂgmentation of the Smart Grid KnowÂledge Centre. As of December 2021, 39 out of 55 beneficiary discoms have submitted their draft proposals to the nodal agencies (REC and the Power Finance CorÂpoÂration). The state discoms of Meghalaya and Assam are the front runners in planning operational and financial reforms under the scheme.
Another centrally sponsored scheme, the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), which was launched in 2014 and closed in March 2022, laid emphasis on IT/OT initiatives such as enterprise reÂsoÂurce planning (ERP), smart metering, real-time data acquisition systems (RT-DAS) and IT enablement of towns in adÂdition to strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution systems. The erstwhile R-APDRP was also subsumed unÂder the scheme. So far, government granÂts have been released for 54 per cent of the total approved project cost of Rs 311 billion. Over 91.6 per cent of the project cost was for system strengthening, 2.5 per cent for IT Phase II works, 2.2 per cent for ERP, 0.7 per cent for smart metering, 0.4 per cent for RT-DAS and the rest for gas-insulated switchgear substations. As of February 2022, IT enablement of smÂaller towns and ERP has been complÂeted in 15 states, and RT-DAS implementation has been completed in 10 states.
AMI and smart metering
Several government schemes are also focusing on AMI and smart metering, smÂart grid pilots, and prepaid metering to automate the metering and billing proÂÂcesses of discoms. These include the Smart Metering National Programme (SMNP), which has an ambitious goal of replacing 250 million conventional meÂters with smart meters across India; the IPDS; the National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM); and the Ministry of Power’s smart grid pilots.
As of April 2022, 11.25 million smart meÂteÂrs have been sanctioned under various schemes and 4.14 million have been insÂtalled (as per the NSGM dashboard). Of the total installations, 71 per cent have beÂen installed by utilities on their own, 20 per cent under the IPDS, 4 per cent under smart grid pilots, 3 per cent under the NSGM and 1 per cent each under the Prime MiÂniÂster’s Development Package and the DeÂendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.
As per the SMNP dashboard accessed in April 2022, around 1.58 million smart meters have been installed so far. Several states have come forward to enhance smart metering infrastructure in the country, and implementation works have commenced in several states, including Haryana (for 246,951 smart meters), UttÂar Pradesh (1.14 million), Bihar (103,941), Delhi (58,840), Rajasthan (494) and the AndaÂman & Nicobar Islands (23,906). The SMNP is under discussion for impleÂmenÂtaÂÂtion in Arunachal Pradesh (182,699 smÂaÂrt meters), Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir (913,132) and West Bengal (2 million).
Meanwhile, four smart grid projects have been sanctioned under the NSGM. These projects are at various staÂges of development and are to be exeÂcuted acÂross the enÂtire city of ChÂanÂdigarh (unÂder the ChÂÂÂanÂdiÂgarh ElectriÂcity DiviÂsion [CED]), in Ranchi city (under Jharkhand Bijli VitÂran Nigam Limited), in SubÂdivision 5 of ChandiÂgaÂrh (under CED), and in six towÂns under Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam LiÂmited. Apart from AMI, other functionalities being implemented under these projeÂcÂts include distribution transformer moÂnitoring and SCADA.
Technologies in transmission
IT and OT have key roles to play in transmission and grid operations, especially with energy transition picking up pace. Utilities such as Power Grid CorpoÂration of India Limited (Powergrid) and Adani Transmission Limited have developed integrated centralised dashboards capturing overall system-related information across a wide spectrum of parameters. Remote monitoring systems have also been installed to capture data on system availability, tripping, outages, etc. in a granular way, to supervise the system and respond to situations in a fraction of a second. In 2020-21, PowerÂgrid integrated eight extra high voltage substations into its National TransmisÂsion Asset MaÂnaÂgement Centre in ManeÂsar, Haryana, taking the total tally of reÂmoÂtely managed substations to 242. FurÂthÂerÂmore, it has 11 regional transmission asset management centres, to enÂÂabÂle more meticulous data acquisition.
Transcos are adopting new technologies for asset management, too. These include robotics, travelling wave fault locators (TWFLs) for accurate fault location, proÂcess bus modules for digital substations, and virtual reality/augmented reality kits for training. For instance, PowerÂgrid has installed TWFLS in 95 transmission lines, which aid in accurately identifying the fault location, thus reducing the man-hoÂurs spent on doing so. Utilities also tend to adopt predictive forecasting for highly critical equipment. Frequency domain spÂÂeÂctroscopy of bushings, dissolved gas analysis of transformers, thermovision scÂaÂnning and integration of different results in a risk-based health index are inÂstances of predictive analysis.
The deployment of digital substations is also gaining popularity in the transmission segment. Digital substations integrate real-time data into the system, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing diagnostics. They also incorporate inÂtelligent electronic devices with integrated information and communication teÂchnology, non-conventional instrument transformers, merging units and phasor measurement units (PMUs) that are interfaced with the process bus and station bus architecture.
In recent times, the wide area monitoring system (WAMS) has emerged as an efficient solution for addressing reliability and operational concerns in power supply and generation. It enhances real-time power transfer capabilities, enables automatic corrective actions such as adaptive islanding, allows better visualisation
thÂÂrough state measurements, provides deÂcision support tools, etc. Powergrid is carrying out the installation of PMUs on extra high voltage substations on a pan-Indian basis, integrated with control centres for WAMS and real-time monitoring of grid parameters.
Digitalisation in generation
Generation utilities are also at the forefront of adoption of IT/OT measures for improving generation performance, maÂÂnaging the ageing asset base and flexibilising units to integrate renewable enÂergy. Digital solutions can help reduce emissions by enabling online fuel analysis and combustion performance monitoring. Digitalisation can also improve the flexibility of coal-based power plants to effectively manage the impact of cycling, as well as enable data-driven decision-making to align with regulaÂtory and market changes.
Digitalisation of power plants allows remote monitoring and control of operations and guarantees a shorter response time to possible events. For instance, CESC Limited has a smart signal system connected to sensors in its generation plants. Plant performance data from the sensors is captured through an ML tool and sent to the smart signal system, whiÂch sends alerts if the plant performance deviates from normal/healthy values. Any deviations are flagged to the maintenance team, which takes predictive/preventive actions rather than remedial onÂes, thereby saving time and costs. CESC has also integrated the SCADA system with its mobile app so that engineers can access system operation parameters and resolve breakdown issues quickly.
The remote monitoring of operations is useful for hydropower plants, given that they are located in remote and far-flung areas. In 2018, the 800 MW Koldam hyÂdropower plant, NTPC Limited’s maiden hydropower project in Himachal PraÂdeÂsh, became the first of its kind in InÂdia to be operated remotely from a distance of 400 km, that is, from its conÂtrÂol centre in Delhi.
Challenges and the way forward
As the adoption of digital and smart grid technologies continues across the generation, transmission and distribution segments, it is imperative for utilities to focus on cybersecurity. In addition, utilities need to take cognisance of issues related to technology obsolescence, inÂteÂgration with legacy systems and manpower training. These challenges notÂwithÂstanding, power utilities need to adÂopt best-in-class IT/OT solutions in orÂder to maintain their competitive edÂge in the fast changing energy sector. The latest developments in big data, anÂalytics, AI and ML can go a long way in integrating renewable energy into the grid, enhancing customer service, enÂabÂÂling accurate load forecasting and enÂsure greater reliability of power supply in the country.