ABB India Limited has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, for technical cooperation to construct an operational smart electricity distribution network and management system (SDNMS) on its campus. It will serve as a pilot project for the Smart Cities Mission. The MoU also entails the creation of a Smart Grids Resource Centre which will serve as a platform for testing new ideas and techniques for field trials before deployment. Further, a joint research and development facility will be created to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry in the field of efficient power generation and distribution, with a focus on clean energy.
ABB will provide the design, engineering, procurement, testing and other services for the SDNMS project, which is expected to be operational in 2018-19. ABB’s equipment, such as the ring main unit upgrade, supervisory control and data acquisition systems, microgrids and energy management systems will be installed to automate and remotely monitor, control and measure the campus grid. The integrated system will offer more power resilience and result in lower costs due to reduced dependency on electricity sourced from the government utility and diesel generators.
The agreement is a major step towards IIT Roorkee’s goal of creating a 100 per cent green campus and achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions in the long run. It has been harnessing solar energy not only for electricity generation but also for providing direct hot water to all its hostels and residences on the campus.
ABB’s technologies have had a significant impact on India’s energy infrastructure. Its electrification and automation systems power the world’s largest single-location solar project in Tamil Nadu. Further, its network management solutions ensure reliable power supply to around 60 million people in Karnataka.