Time Is Ripe for Adoption of Innovative Technologies

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Your comments on the government’s UDAY scheme in reducing the debts of discoms and what are the parallel benefits of this scheme?

The Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojna (UDAY) scheme, as introduced by the Power Ministry sometime last year is believed to extend some viable solution to power distribution companies (discoms) that continue to incur losses in distribution. Discoms in the country incur heavy losses which are either due to technical or commercial reasons. Through the UDAY scheme, the government intends to provide a financial turnaround and revival of discoms. Already, 17 Indian states have become part of this scheme.

The scheme is not only meant to empower loss-making discoms to break even in two-three years by helping them improve their operational efficiencies, reducing the cost of power, minimising their interest cost, but also aims at 100% village electrification, 24x7 power supply and clean energy. Additionally, it is supposed to improve operational efficiencies of discoms, reduce cost of power, reduce the interest cost of discoms and enforce financial discipline on discoms through alignment with state finances.

Comment on the status of distribution automation that is currently integrated in our T&D infrastructure. What is the scope of improvement?

Some of the electric distribution utilities in India have started the process of distribution automation in the form of feeder automation. They are striving for reliable communication infrastructure with low latency. FlexNet communication infrastructure provides a reliable communication with low latency which would help these utilities in automating their feeders.

What according to you are the key challenges in deploying smart metering communication network in India? What measures would you suggest to counter these?