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ASPIRE-PFC Organize Training on Smart Grids for Electric Utilities

The ASPIRE Programme, in collaboration with Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Ltd., organized a Training Programme on Smart Grids for Electric Utilities on March 11, 2025, in New Delhi. The event saw participation from over 70 stakeholders, including representatives from DISCOMs across 13 states, PFC, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), NTPC, and the National Power Training Institute (NPTI).

The training programme featured five technical sessions, conducted by experts from Imperial College London, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K), CEA, and the ASPIRE team. Participants were also encouraged to enroll in the Digital Utility Manager course, now institutionalized on the iGOT platform.

Key Takeaways from the Training

• Smart Distribution Systems: These systems are designed to operate independently of the grid in case of outages while maintaining reliability, safety, and sustainability.
• Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI): Discussions emphasized the need to revise regulatory frameworks to maximize the benefits of AMI systems.
• Emerging Technologies: The role of AI/ML, digital twins, immersive technologies, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems in smart grids was explored, highlighting their operational advantages.
• Smart Metering Revolution: Effective smart meter deployment requires consumer and employee buy-in, regulatory and policy clarity, data security, and interoperability standards.
• Customer-Centric Utilities: Emphasis was placed on enhancing customer engagement to unlock new revenue opportunities for power distribution companies.
• Smart Grids as a Win-Win Model: Discussions covered adaptive demand response, smart metering analytics, distributed energy markets, and dynamic tariff design.
• Global Best Practices: Case studies from successful international smart grid implementations were analyzed, focusing on challenges, solutions, and impact on grid efficiency.

The training programme served as a knowledge-sharing platform, equipping stakeholders with insights on smart grid adoption, technological advancements, and regulatory needs. With growing investments in digital transformation, initiatives like these will play a pivotal role in shaping India’s future power distribution landscape.