Cost of smart meters could soon fall to below ₹2,000 per unit, as compared to ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 a unit currently, Reji Kumar Pillai, President of India Smart Grid Forum said on Tuesday.
Smart meters are information technology-enabled meters enabling the automation of the existing power grid infrastructure with information technology services.
Pillai was addressing a media briefing to launch the India Smart Grid Week to be held next month.
“Smart grids have emerged as a key enabling infrastructure to develop smart solutions to resolve India’s energy woes. Smart grids are also crucial to some of Indian government’s key projects: 100 Smart Cities, 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, 40 per cent Renewable energy by 2030, electric vehicles (to combat air pollution) and smart meters amongst others,” said Pillai.
He added that for 40,000 MW of rooftop solar power, 2 crore Indian buildings will require smart meters.
Commenting on the technology requirements of the Indian market, Pillai said, “Our requirements are very different from the western economies. Western economies already had 24x7 power but we need to control the peak time demand to ensure 24x7 power is available.”
“Smart grid can help in selective load shedding for example turning of the load for air conditioners or water pumps in off peak hours rather than load shedding across households which is what is happening now,” he added.