Central Electricity Authority National Electricity Plan

13.3.6 Automation

A pilot project may be taken up considering the advantages of process bus technology over the conventional station bus
technology. Process bus technology has the advantage of reduced copper wiring, integration of any number of Intelligent
Electronic Devices (IEDs) at bay level etc. Integration of optical current transformers (CTs) in place of conventional
current transformer is also to be considered.

13.3.7 Innovative visualization with sustainable self-awareness feature

The perspective of the real time data set at different levels is required for different aspects. It is required to have
customized and intended data set to be visualized for particular user/ Energy management systems (EMS) operator. The
objective of innovative visualization with sustainable self-awareness feature is to serve real time data for different level
of users with the specified authorization and based on their usability which leads visualization to self-awareness. The
system will depict the required real time data efficiently with the expert system/intelligent system.

13.3.8 Next Generation Data Analytics in Energy Domain

Data Analytics for power system analysis could be efficiently implemented on Cloud Infrastructure. Project shall include
the design and development of an application framework with Software Sub Modules for energy trading, billing, pricing
and t ools for l oad forecasting in the form of Software as a Service (SaaS). Data Analytics assist in analyzing
specific consumer benefits, support efficient delivery and investment in the electric system, facilitate customer
choice etc., on which exhaustive and heuristic analysis can be done.

Using Data Analytics, it is becoming possible to run simulations or models to predict the future outcome, rather than to
simply provide backward looking data about past interactions, and to do these predictions in real-time to support each
individual business action. While this may require significant changes to existing operational and Business Intelligence
(BI) infrastructure, the potential exists to unlock significant improvements in business results and other success rates.
Next-generation Analytics can support BI search tools that can find reports and generate Structured Query Language
(SQL) queries, visual discovery tools to slice/dice data intuitively at the speed of thought.

Data analytics and tools can also be used for monitoring and improving the performance of utilities and generating stations.
Some of the important topics for study should include the following:

Application & Features:

1) Advanced forecasting techniques for sustainable operations

Novel Forecasting Techniques
Advanced modelling tools
2) Architectures & tools for operations
Self- Healing Grids
Control Methodologies for Sustainable self-aware services
3) Simulators and training for operation of smart grids
4) Transmission system, real time security assessment
Innovative solutions to demands of real time security analysis
5) Prognostic Health Management in the Smart Grid.

Other major areas of focus are mentioned below:

Real-time Power System Simulator

Use of Space Technology in power system
Forecasting Grid Congestion in Power System network
Transmission Towers with reduced Right of Way
System Security and Operator Training
Calculation of Total Transfer Capacity, Available Transfer Capability
R & D ACTIVITIES IN POWER SECTOR
13. 8
 Central Electricity Authority National Electricity Plan

Expansion Planning
Transmission cost estimation
Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs)
Nitrogen Injection Fire Prevention & Extinguishing System (NIFPES) and fire prevention system
Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GITL)
EHV Cables and submarine cables for bulk power transmission
High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) cable system
Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL)
Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage System (SMES)
Composite insulators
Synthetic and Natural esters for Transformer Oil
Development of Cold-Rolled Grain-Oriented (CRGO) Silicon Steel for Transformer core
High Quality Pressboard Insulation for transformers
Resin Impregnated Paper (RIP) bushing
SF6 filled large capacity power transformer technology

13.4 R&D IN DISTRIBUTION

Distribution system has direct impact on the consumers. It is also an area in which there are significant challenges. A
large share of system losses occurs in distribution circuits and a significant amount of power system investment goes in
the purchase and installation of distribution hardware. Recently, the development of smart grid concepts and the use of
solar power have changed the way in which distribution networks function.

The distribution sector requires most significant priority since the efficiency, financial viability and losses effect the
viability of the total power sector as a whole. Various privatization models including franchising, Public Private Model,
and others would need to be studied and comprehensive recommendations may be made State wise. The issues regarding
refinancing of the debt to save on the interest burden on the utilities, bringing down the cost of procurement of power
from outside the State need consideration. Hence R&D in distribution system needs impetus.

Distribution system needs careful attention in the areas such as reduction in losses, metering, distribution automation,
planning, harmonic pollution, custom power devices, Demand Side Management (DSM) etc. High Voltage Distribution
System (HVDS) is an effective method for reduction of technical losses and improved voltage profile. Application of
IT has great potential in reducing technical and commercial losses. Integrated resource planning and demand side
management also needs special attention and implementation. Substantial efforts are required for capacity building, so
that the present day distribution system would be transformed into a modern day distribution system. Smart grid
represents a vision for a digital upgrade of power distribution system to both optimize present operation as well as to
open up new avenues for alternative energy production. Improvement in reliability of distribution network can be
achieved with deployment of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Distribution Management System
(SCADA/DMS) for remote monitoring and control of various network elements, obviating need for manned substations.
Distribution Management System (DMS) extends the monitoring and control functionality of SCADA to
distribution transformers. Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and Fault Passage Indicators (FPIs) are installed at
substations.

Design Automation: Expertise is available for manual design of distribution networks. But it is a labor-intensive activity
and often results in non-standard and sub-optimal designs. There is a strong need to standardize and promote design
automation techniques which would reduce costs and improve performance.

Feeder Load Characteristics: Individual feeder loads differ widely in their behavior. A methodology needs to be
evolved for studying feeders in order to characterize them. The technique should be relatively simple and trade off
accuracy against efforts involved, since any distribution entity has a large number of feeders, and needs to accurately
predict their contributions to the total load curve for the next day, so as to contract for energy supplies from generation
companies.

R & D ACTIVITIES IN POWER SECTOR

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