Arunachal Pradesh power sector goes hi-tech

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The power sector in Arunachal Pradesh received a major boost with the inauguration of the 'Automatic Demand Management System' at State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) here by Power & Hydro Power Advisor Balo Raja.

Dedicating the service to the people, Raja said that the State Government is keen in bringing technology for efficient, transparent and people friendly governance. He added that the project in line with Government policy, would be extended to other 33/11 KV sub stations across the State if the pilot project is successful.

"Such an automatic demand management system will prevent unnecessary and avoidable blackout in cities and towns," he said.

The system is a state-of-the-art technology using IT/OT applications and hardware to manage load demand automatically in 33/11 KV sub-stations funded under "Power System Development Fund (PSDF)" as cent per cent grant from the Centre. It is a pilot project installed in two main 33/11KV sub-stations at Chandranagar and Panchali here, at a project cost of Rs 1.03 crore.

"The State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu has already sanctioned for construction of a state-of-the-art building for State Load Dispatch Centre which is likely to be completed in few months. We are looking forward to strengthen and empower our SLDC grow to catch up with the rest of the country. SLDC is the eye, ear and nose of the power system," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Raja also inaugurated the 'upgraded video conference room' of SLDC and dedicated to the service of the state. The project was funded under state sector at a cost of Rs 34 lakh.

"Technology intervention is the only best option to hasten discharge of public service for its improved efficiency, effectiveness and ease of doing works with transparency. Meeting through virtual mode has become the order of the day especially during and after the pandemic. It is less expensive and very easy to conduct important meetings without making huge expenditure on officers TA/DA," Raja added.

Retired power Chief Engineer HR Bado on the occasion also inaugurated the V-SAT Satellite Communication in Power system and dedicated to the people at the SLDC. It was also funded under state sector at the cost of Rs 32.38 lakh.

Bado informed that the State is the first in North-East to deploy satellite technology in Power System Communication.

Though V-SAT itself is not a new technology, using it in the power system in India is new and not yet many States use the technology. It is a choice of technology for States like Arunachal Pradesh for ease of use and its cost effectiveness. It is also very simple and easy to expand to new system element that would be coming up without needing much of fund, he said.

Other means of communication through cabled means are expensive and time taking and other line-of-sight communication is not only less reliable but also not feasible because of less line-of-sight availability because of topography, he pointed out.

"This communication system will make our engineers at SLDC to have real time system data instantly at every 15 minutes block enabling the SLDC to operate and manage grid system in a more efficient and effective way. It will also help in forecasting and scheduling," Bado added.

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