| Abstract |
The environmental impact of the continuous usage of fossil fuel-based power sources and policies of reducing carbon-dioxide emissions has made renewable energy source-based power sources find potential applications in the field of power generation. The high penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) makes the distribution system active and it can function as a micro-grid and presently they are transforming into smart grids and smart cities all over the world. As of now, the power network structure is a centralized power generation. Smart grid (SG), the new facet of power infrastructure, facilitates the decentralization of power generation. The smart grid has shown its capability to satisfy power availability, reliability, quality, economic operation, efficiency, safety, security, and other important parameters alongside environmental issues. India has an installed capacity of quite 280 GW and has opted for a smart grid to satisfy the power deficiency, green energy challenges, and other challenges of the country. The concept of the smart grid, its technologies, challenges, and difficulties in implementation are discussed in detail on several platforms. With the approval of the Indian Government, fourteen smart grid pilot programs are being developed across the country. Under such circumstances, a techno-economic analysis of smart grid pilot programs becomes very essential. A study has been administered on the Puducherry smart grid pilot program, jointly developed by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) and Puducherry Electricity Department (PED), to understand its techno-economic aspects. The pilot program has completed its interim stage and is working with good power quality. Rooftop solar PV systems with net metering facilities were also installed during this pilot program to show-case the integration of renewable energy. For effective planning, it's essential to know the positive and negative aspects of the SG technologies. Implementation of any technology reflects in terms of investment sought and its success is measured by profit gained by both investor and therefore the society. © 2022 Scrivener Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. |
