A recent government report said that nearly 6,000 smart meters have been installed as part of the Chandigarh (Subdivision 5) Smart Grid project.
The government report said that as of March 31, 2021, a total of 5,934 single-phase smart energy meters have been installed as part of the Chandigarh (Subdivision 5) smart grid project, which is among the five projects falling under the National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM).
Besides, the cumulative installation of LTCT (low tension, current transformer) meters stood at 61, as of said date. According to information available, LTCT meters are three-phase CT-operated trivector meters designed for metering of LT consumers and feeders. Such meters, usually used when the current flow exceeds 100A, have advanced data and tamper-recording capabilities, and are equipped with communication ports.
The report also mentions that bay control protection units and transformer differential relays have been installed on 44 motorized feeders.
The Chandigarh (Subdivision 5) will cater to 29,433 consumers in Subdivision 5 (SD-5) of Chandigarh. There is another smart grid project, also under NSGM, that covers the entire Union Territory of Chandigarh, except SD-5. This project caters to 1.84 lakh consumers.
Recent Progress
In March 2021, around 450 smart meters and 23 LTCT meters were installed for the SD-5 project. In February 2021, a little over 1,300 LTCT meters were delivered by project management agency REC Power Distribution Company Ltd (RECPDCL) and nearly all of them were tested by Electricity Wing of Engineering Department UT, Chandigarh (EWEDC). Apart from this, around 8,000 single-phase smart meters were tested during February 2021. It is understood at Landis & Gyr (a Toshiba Group company) is the supplier of smart meters for the Chandigarh (SD-5) smart grid project.
Background
The Chandigarh (SD-5) project was approved in late 2018 and survey work began in January 2019. The project covers Sectors 29, 31, 47 and 48, apart from Industrial Area I and II. The project also has six villages in its ambit. The smart grid projects aims to deliver functionalities like Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Distribution Transformer Monitoring Unit (DTMU) and Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA).
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Implementation agencies
The two project implementation agencies of the Chandigarh (SD-5) smart grid project are Hyderabad-based Analogics Tech India Ltd and Faridabad-based Synergy Systems & Solutions Ltd. The latter, it is learnt, is looking after the SCADA functionality.
Project Cost
The approved cost of the Chandigarh (SD-5) smart grid project is Rs.28.58 crore, out of which Rs.8.57 crore (or 30 per cent of the total) represents Central Government assistance. As of March 31, 2021, Rs.7.71 crore out of the total government assistance was released.
(Featured photograph shows the celebrated logo of Chandigarh City)
