Proposal for Project

Wing
 Smart Grids

What?
The smart grid is a planned nationwide network that uses information technology to
deliver electricity efficiently, reliably, and securely.
A modernized grid that enables bidirectional flows of energy and uses two-way
communication and control capabilities that will lead to an array of new
functionalities and applications.
Outcomes
The Smart Grid represents an unprecedented opportunity to move the energy industry
into a new era of reliability, availability, and efficiency that will contribute to our
economic and environmental health.
The project can be integrated with Smart Cities Mission launched by the Government
of India in 2015 which require the selected cities to be equipped with basic
infrastructure and offer a good quality of life through smart solutions.
The benefits associated with the Smart Grid include:

More efficient transmission of electricity.

Quicker restoration of electricity after power disturbances.
Reduced operations and management costs for utilities, and ultimately lower power
costs for consumers.
Reduced peak demand, which will also help lower electricity rates.
Increased integration of large-scale renewable energy systems.
Better integration of customer-owner power generation systems, including renewable
energy systems.
Improved security.
Requirements for a Smart Grid:

To move forward, we need a new kind of electric grid, one that is built from the bottom up
to handle the groundswell of digital and computerized equipment and technology
dependent on itand one that can automate and manage the increasing complexity and
needs of electricity in the 21st Century.
For the aforementioned needs, we would require the following:

A new communication network system, linking all the grids in the target area.
New, computerized generation systems, capable of working under varying conditions.
Software linked measurement and control devices.
A revamped transmission and distribution system, from the power lines, to the
substations, feeders, to the consumers end, each capable of communicating with each
other in the case of failures, or emergencies, both natural or man-made.
Feasibility:

Since Mangalore has been shortlisted for the Smart Cities Mission, the core
infrastructure elements in a smart city would include, amongst many things, assured
electricity supply and robust IT connectivity and digitalization.
Smart Grids would be able to be provide the above needs.
Although the practical implementation of Smart Grids would be difficult in the early
stages, it would provide an opportunity for cutting-edge research within the
department, setting of new standards and protocols with regards to electrical grid
communications, and patenting of new technologies.
Areas covered under Smart Grids:

Control Systems
Measurement and Instrumentation
Power Electronics
Electrical Machine (Design and Modelling)
Distribution and Transmission Systems
Communication Networks (Neural Networks)
Energy Auditing
Support Required:

For the research phase, support and funding from Manipal University would be required.
Tie-in with companies so that they can distribute licensed software for simulation and
modelling purposes.
Tie-in with industries for implementation of smaller systems.
For the actual implementation of microgrids, authorization from the Mangalore
Electricity Supply Company Limited ( MESCOM ), Government of Karnataka and the
Government of India will be required, for the land and resource usage and for
electricity usage.
Impact on Department:

Setting-up of state-of-the-art, new labs.

Collaboration with industries
Collaboration with other universities.
Increase in research output, including publications.
Increase in patents.
Overall development of the department.
Future plans:

Integrating Smart Grids into the society

Set new standards and protocols for the industries
Improvement of the technologies
Inclusion of other areas into the Smart Grids technologies, like Renewable Energy
management, Smart Homes, Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs)
 Structure of the project wing

The project wing will span the entire department

After conducting a survey, asking the faculty about their areas of interest and
the feasibility of the project wing, Smart Grids came out as the area which
covered most of their interests.
The project wing will be divided into sub-modules, each working on smaller
systems, with a single end product, ie. Implementation of the Smart Grid
Each sub-module will headed by one faculty, each working on their area of
interest
The interested UG and PG students can join the sub-module, just by
contacting the faculty in-charge.
Probable list of Sub-Modules:

Control Systems & Signal Processing

Measurement & Instrumentation Devices
Power System Analysis
Power Electronics
Transmission and Distribution Systems
Communication Networks
 One overall Faculty Advisor, ensuring synchronization and communication
between the various sub-modules.
One student coordinator, overseeing the overall working of the project wing
from the students end, addressing their grievances and concerns, and
ensuring communication between the faculty and the students.
Role of IE E&E in the project wing:

We need a body which would handle all the managerial, as well as some of
the technical aspects of the Project Wing.
By having one club, the process of obtaining funds, the publication of various
research papers, collaboration with the industries, and the communication
between the students and the faculty would be extremely streamlined.
IE E&E is one such body which can handle all the aforementioned aspects.
It is a department-based club, therefore there is some control on the club by
the department.
Inclusion of the club in the project wing would save a lot of hassle with
regards to the funding, management, technical aspects.