Tata Power, Enel to drive digitalization and automation of India’s distribution network

Tata Power has announced a partnership with joined hands with Italian energy company Enel Group for driving digitalization and automation of India’s distribution network.

In this regard, the parties will implement two pilot projects through Tata Power’s Delhi-based distribution business.

Both Tata Power and Enel are said to share the common goal of promoting the security of energy for efficient and sustainable operations. Their alliance is expected to help accelerate the participation of the private sector in the digital transformation of power distribution grids across India.

It will also allow for the customization of new solutions according to the Indian landscape and aid in the future-proofing of grids by increasing their intelligence to make them more robust and sustainable.

Dr. Praveer Sinha — Tata Power CEO and MD said: “Tata Power is committed to transform the Indian power distribution landscape through innovation and new-age solutions.

“Our association with Enel Group will help us accelerate digitalization and automation of the distribution grid, including the implementation of the hybrid meter technology. We believe that these tech advancements will pave the way for sustainable and future-ready discoms in the country.”

Tata Power joins forces with Enel to drive digitalization and automation of India’s distribution network. Photo courtesy of Tata Power.

As per the terms of the agreement, Tata Power’s distribution division – Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (TPDDL), which serves 1.9 million customers in North Delhi will collaborate with Enel’s affiliate company Gridspertise, which is jointly controlled by Enel Grids and CVC Capital Partners, for project implementation.

The first pilot project will be focused on accelerating the digitization and automatization of the secondary substations. It will involve Tata Power joining the global co-creation program of Gridpertise’s developed QEd Quantum Edge Device.

The program will virtualize the functionalities of the grid and enable security and control, as well as automation and real-time fault detection and restoration of services of the network.

Tata Power said that the second project aims to implement Gridpertises‘ metering technology on a pilot basis within the Delhi power distribution network. It is focused on testing and evaluating the latest hybrid smart metering technology that features two communication channels, radio frequency (RF) and power line communication (PLC).

The metering technology is expected to provide a reliable, effective, and secure communication channel, which auto-switches between the PLC and RF channels based on the current conditions on the field.

Antonio Cammisecra – Enel Grids Head said: “The agreements announced during the India Italy Business Roundtable result from years of close collaboration between the Enel Group and leading Indian power sector organizations.

“Today Enel Grids is proud to reaffirm its commitment to support the country’s ambitious smart metering and digitalization plans to modernize existing distribution grids increasing performance and quality, as well to tap the incredible grid development opportunities in a country where demographic and economic growth are pushing electrification, also through our affiliate Gridspertise, contributing to India’s energy transition pathway.”