The recent acceptance of the Recommendations of the Task Force Report by the Ministry of Power has marked a significant step towards the modernization of the power transmission sector in India. Set up in September 2021 under the chairmanship of POWERGRID, the task force was formed to suggest ways to make the sector smarter and future-ready.
Key Recommendations for Future-Ready Transmission System
The task force has proposed several technological and digital solutions, which have been categorized into modernization of the existing transmission system, use of advanced technology in construction & supervision, operations & management, smart & future-ready transmission system, and up-skilling of the workforce.
The recommendations include Centralized Remote Monitoring, Operation of Substations, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), Flexible AC Transmission devices (FACTs), Cyber Security, Drones & Robots in construction/inspection of transmission assets. They also suggest benchmarks for network availability and voltage control based on global transmission utilities’ performance.
Why Do We Need a Future-Ready Transmission System?
A future-ready transmission system plays a crucial role in meeting India’s growing energy demand due to population and economy expansion. This system facilitates the efficient transmission of power from new generation sources to the distribution network.
With the ambitious target of generating 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, a prepared transmission system is necessary for integrating large-scale renewable energy into the grid efficiently. This type of system is also key to improving grid stability through the integration of advanced technologies like smart grids, energy storage systems, and demand response systems.
Advantages of a future-ready transmission system encompass increased efficiency – by reducing transmission losses that currently account for about 22% of total power generated -, grid resilience enhancement, and contribution to sustainability goals by enabling renewable energy integration, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and energy efficiency improvement.
Challenges to the Transmission System in India
Despite the potential benefits, there are several challenges to be faced. Thermal power fuelled by fossil fuels makes up about 80% of India’s total power generation, and most plants are old and inefficient. Coal extraction has stagnated due to delayed environmental clearances, land acquisition troubles, and inadequate investment in advanced technologies.
Power distribution companies (discoms) also face losses due to unchanged tariffs for years, high agriculture sector subsidies, and high aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses.
Potential of the Transmission Sector
Being the third-largest electricity producer and consumer worldwide, India has a sizeable power capacity. As of October 31, 2022, the country’s installed renewable energy capacity stands at 165.94 GW, which accounts for 40.6% of the overall capacity. The government is also preparing a ‘rent a roof’ policy aiming to generate 40 GW of power through solar rooftop projects by 2022.
Future projections suggest that by 2030, India’s power requirement would reach 817 GW, with renewable energy generation’s share expanding from 18% to 44%. This would mean lowering the share of thermal energy from its current 78% to 52%.
Way Forward
By promoting investments in modern transmission systems, India can meet both its sustainable energy goals and the burgeoning energy demand. The electricity sector in the nation is expected to undergo significant transformations in demand growth, energy mix, and market operations this decade.
To ensure continuous and sufficient electricity access for everyone, the country aims to hasten the clean energy transition by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and shifting to more environment-friendly, renewable energy sources. This will largely benefit future investments considering strong demand fundamentals, policy support, and the government’s increasing focus on infrastructure.
