India-based Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply (CESC), an electric utility that operates in five districts in the State of Karnataka, has announced that it will conduct a pilot test of smart grid technology in the city of Mysore, where it serves 24,532 ratepayers.

India’s Ministry of Power will fund 50 percent of the INR320 million ($5.3 million) initiative, while the remainder will be picked up by the CESC. A total of 14 feeders, as well as 580 irrigation pump-sets and 504 distribution transformers, will be installed.

This will be the first smart grid pilot for Mysore, said CESC Chief Engineer M. Shanthi , speaking at a three-day workshop on “Smart Grid and Facts” sponsored by the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering of the National Institute of Engineering (NIE)–Mysore.


Gate of the famous Mysore Palace in India (image via Shutterstock).

The main objectives of the pilot are to:

• Improve grid reliability
• Manage peak demand
• Reduce electricity costs for consumers
• Diminish greenhouse gas emissions
• Anticipate and respond to system disturbances rapidly
• Increase the operating efficiency of the electric power system

Central Power Research Institute-Bangalore Director-General N. Murugesan told the Times of India, “The technology is now a priority, as the current power systems have a disadvantage of rising costs of capital, raw materials and labor—and call for energy efficiency. The challenges include increasing customer awareness and participation, developing and executing business case models, identifying and implementing best practices and standards throughout the industry.”

Indeed, India has faced several severe power outages recently, causing tremendous economical loss. The massive grid failure of North India in 2012 was the largest in world history, affecting 620 million people.

“If the pilot project is implemented successfully, Smart Grids will become a permanent feature in the country. There are several issues that have to be discussed regarding the project. It is also important to hold technical sessions and workshops to understand the concept of Smart Grid and its implementation,” said Er. Bhagyanaik, technical director for the utility.