A Brief Power Scenario and Future

Introduction

Recently NitiAyog released document “Strategy for New India @ 75” stressed in few points-

- Make availability of 24X7 Power to all.

- Privatisation or use of franchise model to reduce AT&C loss.

- Strengthening Regulatory bodies and made truly independent.

- Discom may be fined for load shedding etc.

Power Demand

In present days the total installed generation capacity is 345.5 GW in 2017-18, where as in 2006-07
the power demand was 154.7 GW. So in a past one decade the demand has doubled. India is world
third largest producer of electricity after the China and the US. Among the seven north east state of
India the power demand is given below -

Sikkim-318.48 MW, Meghalaya-510.45 MW, Arunachal Pradesh- 257.62 MW, Manipur-206.11 MW,
Nagaland-140.64MW, Mizoram-119.42 MW, Assam-1369.45 MW and Tripura-640.90 MW.

Compensation Policy

Days are not so far that like other states, the compensation policy may be adopted in our state
Tripura as well. In many states like Delhi, the compensation has already been made to consumers
for outage under section 108 of the Electricity act 2003. There will be consumer grievance forum to
look after whether or not the compensation is made to consumer for outage.

Compensation will be payable automatically by the discom to consumers. It will be adjusted in their
electricity bill. Not only this but other performance related issue of discom other than unscheduled
cuts will be reviewed by the consumer for better performance and service.

Reliability of Power Supply

As per 2018 Global Competitiveness Report rank of India is 80th among 137 global economies in
reliability of electricity supply. So like 100% village electrification, the reliability of power supply is
also essential. Frequent power outage has to be reduced to increase reliability.

Carbon emission

Coal, gas based or fuel based power generating stations damaging the health of environment. So by
increasing environmental cess on coal may help the generating station and discoms to reduce coal
consumption encourage for renewable energy generation.
Electric Vehicle

The retail prices of Petrol and diesel are high in India. Electric vehicle would be preferred in near
future. So there is enormous need to meet the demand of electricity. Electricity is generated from
solar energy in charging point without appreciable environmental effects. Electric vehicle is
advantageous in reducing air pollution caused by normal vehicle.

New Connection online

Now in Internet era consumer prefers applying for new connection online. New connection can be
sought through discom’s website. They should apply online and in addition they have to submit all
relevant supporting scanned document online. Discom will scrutinize all the information with
documents and do the spot inspection. After that demand note will be sent through online website.
Once payment is made, a lineman will come to the consumer place to provide connection. This
system would encourage paper saving and all relevant document related to consumer would be
stored in database safely. So in any case if document needed in future may be collected from
database.

Information Technology

In present days without help of information technology, availability of 24X7 Power cannot be met.
By introducing information technology, reliability increases and customer get better and quick
services. It also reduces human intervention.

IT cell should work in parallel in providing correct information in correct time. So the system
breakdown can be restored in effective time. Energy billing and collection should be automated and
human intervention should be reduced. By analysing historical data and real time data power flow
study can be done effectively such that optimum solution is achieved. IT cell should play role
starting from consumer premises to generating station i.e. from receiving end to generating end.

By proper utilization of IT

1. Reliability can be increased.

2. Outage can be minimized.
3. Labour savings.
4. Increased revenue.
5. AT&C loss and technical loss can be brought down.
6. Better Customer relation and consumer satisfaction.

Several Power companies are using GIS (Geographic Information System) technology to map all
HT/LT Consumers, Sub-Station, and all equipments. So a GPS survey is required to map all these
under common software platform. Total Business Process should be automated and monitored
through IT platform. In case of any breakdown maybe it is in EHV/HV/LV lines, transformers,
switchgear equipments or in consumers premises point, instantly fault point is identified with the
help of GIS and information sent through sms or IVRS based call to concerned technical team to take
further action to restore breakdown. This reduces human intervention to locate fault and transition
of correct information in correct time to concerned team to take care of.

Now a day we cannot think of living in this world without electricity. Such dependency has
been developed and this has brought greater responsibility on Power companies. As the power
demand is increasing everyday so the generation, transmission and distribution are increasing to
meet the demand. In this broad power network no one can deny the challenges that a power
companies faces for their continuous AT & C loss and technical losses. Simultaneously reliability of
power supply is also important for better customer service with satisfaction. In order to sustain
challenges in the market of competition, the power companies has to adopt new technologies and
total integration with Information technology such that age old human intervention system in our
power companies can be brought down to lower level.

:- Sukanta Banik