Challenges and issues of smart grid implementation: A case of Indian scenario

Abstract

Smart grid (SG) is emerging as a new facet of power industry. It incorporates numerous advanced technologies to deal issues prevailing with conventional electric networks. Though capable to resolve many of these issues, SG is still facing challenges in deployment. These challenges are associated with adaption of emerging technologies, socio-economic issues, lack of policies and awareness. Since Government of India (GoI) has initiated nationwide deployment of SG projects, the objective of this paper is to identify challenges and issues in SG implementation. In such situation, it is primarily essential to identify and discuss the barriers to overcome deployment concerns, including consumer's acceptance. In this paper, such major challenges and issues for SG implementation have been encapsulated. Considering the vision and roadmap of the Indian SG, an indicative assessment framework has been developed and details are discussed here. A case study of solar PV awareness survey has also been presented to understand consumers’ interest and concerns toward components of SG. Keywords: Smart grid, Clean energy, Grid infrastructure, Indicative assessment, Regulation, Policies