https://www.nsgm.gov.

in

Smart Grid Projects and NSGM

Atul Bali
CGM, NSGM-PMU
10th Aug 2021
Contents

• Overview and Institutional Structure of NSGM

• NSGM Objectives
• NSGM Achievements
• Sanctioned / Ongoing Smart Grid Projects under NSGM
• Learnings from Pilots/Projects
• Impact Assessment Key Recommendations / Challenges
• Smart Grid Readiness – Self Assessment Tool and Cost Benefit Analysis
Tool
• Smart Metering Dashboards
• Way Forward
 Overview and Institutional Structure
NSGM was established in 2015 with following institutional framework:
Governing Council
Chair – Minister of Power
Convenor – JS (D)

State Level Project Empowered Committee Technical Committee

Management Unit Chair – Secretary (Power) Chair – Chairperson, CEA
Chair – Energy Secretary (State) Convenor – JS (D) Mem. Secy. – Dir. NPMU

NSGM Project
Smart Grid Knowledge
Utility Smart Grid Cells Management Unit
Centre (SGKC)
Head – Director NPMU

N
State Level Project
Management Units (SLPMU)
1. Andhra Pradesh 11. Kerala
2. Assam 12. Maharashtra
Bilingual website 3. Chandigarh 13. Odisha
https://www.nsgm.gov.in 4.
5.
Chhattisgarh
Delhi
14.
15.
Puducherry
Rajasthan
6. Haryana 16. Tamil Nadu
7. Himachal Pradesh 17. Telangana
8. Jammu & Kashmir 18. Tripura
Map Not-to-Scale 9. Jharkhand 19. Uttar Pradesh AMISP SBD (OPEX)
Source: MEA
10. Karnataka 20. West Bengal https://www.nsgm.gov.in/en/amisp-sbd

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NSGM Objectives

As per OM dated 27th Mar 2015, NSGM support for implementation of

Smart Grid Projects would primarily consist of following activities
(indicative):
• Assistance in formulation of projects including pre-feasibility studies,
technology selection, cost-benefit analysis, financing models etc.
• Funding to these projects, together with State Discoms and other
financing agencies.
• Training and Capacity Building for SLPMUs & Project Implementation
teams
• Technology selection guidelines and best practices
• Facilitate Consumer Awareness initiatives
• Project Appraisal post implementation.

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 Achievements
Four projects (₹464.58 Cr.)
Nine (9) pilots attained for ~7.25 lakh consumers
Impact Assessment  Smart Grid Readiness – Self
financial closure.
Completed. Assessment Tool (SGR-SAT)
Remaining in closure IS 16444 (Part 1 &
Recommendations  Impact Assessment of Pilots
stage. Rs.119 Cr MoP 2) and IS 15959
submitted  Investment Analysis Tool
funds released. (Part 2 & 3)

 10 National & 3 Intl. workshops

 SG Training Course
 13 Training programs for utilities Advanced
2 Brainstorming sessions Metering
1.56 lakh 

Under
MoUs with SGKC, CPRI and IITK Infrastructure
Smart 
for regular training programs Functional
Meters
Requirements
NSGM
installed

11 Pilots including  AMISP SBD on OPEX Model

SGKC worth  NSGM Framework, Model Model
Rs.254.20 Crores RfP & Model DPR Smart Grid
with 50% funding  Smart Meter Rollout Plan Regulations
from MoP

Smart Grid Pilot Projects

20 State Level PMUs

 New generation communication technology with improved performance based on RF mesh developed as an evolution of Technology deployed at CESC, Mysore
 Undue doubt on DISCOMs infrastructure w.r.t. PLC technology was negated – performed well in Tripura SG Pilot
 Two new product (Smart Meter) developed & deployed
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Development of AMI Ecosystem (1/2)

• Indian Standards for Smart Meters i.e. IS 16444 and IS 15959, released by BIS
• Model Smart Grid Regulations released by Forum of Regulators
• Smart Grid Training Program developed for Utility professionals
• Smart Meter Rollout Plan was developed
• Model Standard Bidding Documents for Appointment of Implementing Agency for
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) developed
• Successful Go-Live of 11 Nos Smart Grid (SG) Pilot projects
• Demonstrating AMI, Net Metering, Outage Management System, Roof Top solar integration
etc.
• Rs.119.37 Crores released from GoI (50% funding) for these pilots.
• 1.56 lakh Smart Meters installed under these SG Pilots;
• All type of communication technologies viz. Radio, PLC and GPRS tested successfully first time
in India.
• Successful Integration of legacy Metering Billing & Collection System with AMI/ Smart
Metering in SG Pilots.
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Development of AMI Ecosystem (2/2)

• SGKC, Manesar developed as Resource Centre with functionalities of AMI, OMS, Micro grid/
Distributed generation, Home energy management system & Training Infra etc.
• Impact assessment of Smart Grid Pilots conducted and recommendations submitted
• Smart Grid Readiness – Self Assessment Tool (SGR-SAT) developed to assess readiness of
Utilities for adopting Smart grid technologies.
• Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) tool developed for assessing benefits from Smart
Metering/Grids.
• AMISP SBD developed on Design, Build, Own, Operate & Transfer (DBFOOT) Model.
• EESL started deployment of smart meters thru bulk procurement on OPEX model since 2018.
• Till date ~25 lakh Smart Meters installed and ~81 lakh Smart Meters are under deployment.
• State-wise installation details available at https://www.nsgm.gov.in/en/sm-stats-all

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Major Milestones in Smart Metering

Pilot project proposals

Cost effective smart Draft functional invited under India Smart Smart Meter standard IS
metering solutions to suit requirements released by Grid Task Force (ISGTF) 16444 Part-1 (static)
Indian context mooted in CEA in March 2012 for which were evaluated in published by BIS in August
early 2011. suggestions. 2012 and sanctioned by MoP 2015
with 50% funding

Smart meters (compliant to Companion standard for Functional Requirements of Smart Meter standard IS
CEA technical specifications) Smart Meter data exchange Advanced Metering 16444 Part-2 (transformer
started deployment in CESC (IS 15959) published by BIS Infrastructure (AMI) released operated) published by BIS
Mysuru from March 2015 in January 2016. by CEA in August 2016 in March 2017

Smart meter with multiple

communication modules Smart meters from two
First BIS certified smart EESL started deployment of
(RF+GPRS / PLC+GPRS) different makes installed and
meter installed at UGVCL smart meters in states
designed, tested and tested for DT & feeder
(Naroda) pilot project in through bulk procurement
deployed at UHBVN energy auditing for AVVNL
June 2017 on opex model since 2018
(Panipat) pilot project in (Ajmer) in July 2017
2017-18
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 Sanctioned / Ongoing SG Projects under NSGM
Sl. Project Outlay/ Cost GBS (Rs. Cr.) Released Sanction Award Status
(Rs. Cr.) (Rs. Cr.)
1 Chandigarh Sub 28.58 8.57 7.7124 April 2016 October 10,700 smart meters installed. 44 bay
Division 5 2018 control and protection units installed on
motorized feeders. MPLS connectivity in 2
substations established
2 Integrated Smart Grid 87.43 26.23 2.61 January 2020 June 2020 31,971 smart meters installed. Balance
project at Rajasthan (6 meters installation in progress
Towns)
3 Chandigarh Complete 119.58 35.87 7.25 - - Revised sanction under concurrence/
City approval at MoP
(AMI/Smart Metering)
4 Ranchi 228.68 68.61 0.00 September - Under tendering.
2018
Total 464.28 139.28 17.5724

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Smart Grid Readiness - Self Assessment Tool
• Assistance in Utility Smart Grid journey
• Not a ranking tool
• 6 Domains
1. Organization
2. Network Planning
3. Grid Operations
4. Revenue Management
5. Customer
6. Regulatory & Policy
• Each domain with 2 to 6 sub domains (total 24)
• Each sub domain with 5-level maturity (1-5)
• Showcased in World Utility Summit 2020
• Final version to be launched shortly
Cost Benefit Analysis Tool
• Investment analysis for utility modernization
projects
• Enable power distribution utilities in India to
perform holistic analysis of utility
modernization projects
• 7 Asset Types
1. Advanced Metering Infrastructure
2. Peak Load Management
3. Outage Management System
4. Transformer Monitoring Unit
5. Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
6. Demand Forecasting System
7. Distributed Generation
• 7 asset types are mapped to 10 functionalities
to enable 29 benefits to utility, consumers,
environmental, societal categories
• To be launched shortly
Smart Metering Dashboards

• Smart Metering deployment status

collated from various stakeholders and
implementing agencies
• In-house dashboards developed and
actively maintained
1. Tabular form with search and export facility
(https://www.nsgm.gov.in/en/sm-stats-all)
2. Monthly Progress (last 6 months) by various
agencies/schemes
(https://www.nsgm.gov.in/en/monthly-sm-
progress)
3. State wise and agency/scheme wise update
(https://www.nsgm.gov.in/en/state-wise-map)
• One stop source for all India statistics for
Smart Meter deployments
 Learnings from Pilots/Projects

Where We Started Where We Stand Now

• No standards or specifications • IS 16444 and companion standards for Smart Meters
• Legacy and non performing systems • Newer IT solutions and integration facilities
• Communication • Communication
 PLC – not so reliable  PLC – dependable results (TSECL Pilot)
 RF – very little market penetration  RF – canopy and mesh based
 GPRS – higher charges  GPRS – functional & provides limited
• Mostly capex projects starting from pilots interoperability
• No regulations • More options like opex/franchisee/JV etc.
• Business-as-usual practices • Model Smart Grid Regulations for adoption
• No availability of data • Need of process redesign, change management
• One way flow of power – grid to consumer identified
• Data available for analytics and services
• Renewables integration – Solar PVs and DER – two way

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Impact Assessment-Salient Findings(1/2)

1. Total number of meters installed at pilots stands at 1.56 lakhs.

2. Utilities observed Reduction in AT&C losses. Six (6) pilots exceeded their targets
3. Integration of Smart Grid system with RAPDRP successfully achieved in Tripura,
Assam, West Bengal pilots
4. Consumer Portals developed at CESC, HPSEB, IITK, PED, TSECL, TSSPDCL, UGVCL,
WBSEDCL
5. Demand Response/Peak Load Management (PLM) functionality successfully tested at all
pilots for ToD tariffs.
6. In UHBVN pilot, meters with more than one communication modules developed/
tested/ deployed for failsafe communication
7. Power Line Communication (PLC) in Agartala & Panipat pilots was successful
affirming possibility to use PLC communication

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Impact Assessment-Salient Findings(2/2)

8. Remote connect/disconnect feature tested at all pilots and deployed at CESC, IITK,
HPSEB, SGKC, TSECL, UGVCL, UHBVN and WBSEDCL.
9. Smart City R&D platform at IIT Kanpur is a showcase model with R&D potential to
test integration with Smart cities and is leading UI-ASSIST activities
10. Smart Grid Knowledge Centre at Manesar has become a unique set up for showcasing
working models of Smart Grid functionalities and also imparting Training & Capacity
Building activities for Utility Professionals in Smart Grid
11. Consumer resistance observed during initial phases. Consumers sensitized with
benefits of Smart Grid deployments though pamphlets, news articles and meetings
12. Overall consumer awareness of Smart Grid is less. However, consumers reported to
have experienced improved in quality of power supply

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Key Recommendations (1/2)

1. DISCOMs need to adopt transformational processes and Active internal teams

(SLPMUs) are crucial in bringing out the change
2. Project timelines to be rationalised:
3. Central agencies may implement the project with handholding/FMS contract and
operational responsibility vested with State Utilities.
4. Opex model to be adopted for AMI implementation projects.
5. Improving skillsets of DISCOM personnel by continuous training and capacity
building through SGKC, IITK etc.
6. Grant releases may be linked with operational performance i.e.
• Fund release based on performance assessment.
• Matching with Key Performance Indicators finalized beforehand.
Key Recommendations (1/2)

7. DISCOMs can approach market route without funding if transformational objectives

are not committed
8. Focus areas on standardization
• Data centers on cloud
• RF interoperability
• Plug-n-play communication module
9. Analysis based project formulation involving integration aspects and consumer
engagement for large scale rollouts
10. Continuous project monitoring and decision making by DISCOMs top management
 Way Forward

Completion of sanctioned and ongoing Smart Grid Projects of NSGM

Development of pilot/ demonstration projects in

• Demand Response (DR)
• Reliability Improvement (RI)
• Micro Grid (MG)
• Data Analytics (DA) etc.

Handholding state DISCOMs through SLPMUs for

• Development of State Specific Smart Grid Road Map
• Adoption of Smart Grid Readiness-Self Assessment Tool (SGR-SAT)
• Adoption of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) Tool

Development of Smart Grid Knowledge Centre as a Centre of Excellence and Capacity Building in
Smart Grid through dedicated training programs for DISCOMs/ state utilities etc.
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 Thank You
https://www.nsgm.gov.in @NsgmIndia