International Conference on Smart Grids

08:30

09:30

Welcome address from IET India

Shekhar Sanyal, Country Head, IET India 

09: 40

Chairperson's remarks

• Brief overview of the power sector in India – present and aim for the near future
• Initiatives by the Ministry of Power for the power sector – Smart Grids Forum, R-APDRP, etc.
• What could be other possible initiatives for development of the power sector

Dr. F.C. Kohli, Former Deputy Chairman, Tata Consultancy Services

10:00

Opening keynote session: Smart Grids – Key challenges & opportunities for India?

• Key challenges & opportunities for the smart grids implementation in India
  • Infrastructure
  • Technology
  • Manpower
  • Investment

Bazmi Husain, Country Manager and Managing Director, ABB India 

10:45

Session 1: Power strategy for the Indian utilities  

Prof. Soman, IIT Bombay

11:30

11:45

Session 2: Developing a smart grid roadmap – a blueprint for success

• Chief priorities involved in realizing the potential of the smart grid
• What are the biggest initial challenges?
• What framework should be in place?

Deepak Konnur, Vice President, Solutions, Energy & Utilities Industry, IBM

12:30

Session 3: BESCOM Case study -  R-APDRP implementation progress & success

• Pilot project – steps
• Key learning and outcomes
• Road ahead

G. V. Balaram, Chief General Manager – Projects, BESCOM

13:15

14:00

Session 4: Prerequisites for implementing successful automation projects in distribution systems - user perspective    

• What are the problems we are looking to solve and what is vision?
• Available solutions for Implementation?
• Steps to implement

Dr. K. Rajamani, Chief Consultant, Reliance Energy

14:30

Session 5: EERA joint programme on smart electricity grids – live webcast via video link

• Goals, objectives and recent achievements of European Energy Research Alliance’s joint programme on Smart Grids

Luciano Martini, Coordinator of the Joint Project on Smart Electricity Grids, European Energy Research Alliance

15:15

Session 6: Policy and regulatory frameworks for smart grids

• Creating a regulatory framework through new policies and initiatives
• Economic incentives for industry & consumers
• Role of regulatory body
• Key challenges and issues 

Pankaj Batra, Chief (Engineering), Central Electricity Regulatory Authority 

16:00

16:15

Panel discussion: What steps should be taken by the utilities (both transmission & distribution) and the technology solution provides to make smart grids a reality and success in India?

The objective of this panel discussion is to bring out the practical challenges faced by the utilities in terms of infrastructure, technical know-how, skilled man power, etc. and discuss the steps which could be taken to address these challenges. 

This discussion will also focus on the how the utilities and the technology solution providers show work towards overcoming these challenges and take the next steps towards making the smart grids technology a reality in India.  

Panel Chair: N. S. Sodha, Executive Director, Power Grid  Corporation of India Limited

Panel members: Prakash Nayak, Head of Power Systems, ABB India; R. Thyagaraj, AEE, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd; Dr. Krishna Prasad, TCS (TBC)

17:30

17:45

Close of day