Smarter switchgear for greener India
Vivek Yadav highlights how advanced switchgear can cut $1.6 B (₹14,000 crore) in costs and drive India’s clean energy shift amid surging power demand.
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Powering sustainability: Vision for next-gen switchgear solutions
India: India’s energy ecosystem is undergoing a major overhaul, propelled by urbanization, industrial expansion, and a decisive move toward sustainability. As Vivek Yadav notes, cutting-edge switchgear technology is becoming essential in building smarter, safer, and more efficient power distribution systems.
Programs like Make in India, PM-KUSUM, and the Smart Cities Mission are accelerating renewable energy deployment. However, integrating variable sources like wind and solar brings new grid challenges. Next-gen solutions like gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) are gaining popularity for their compact design, environmental benefits, and reduced upkeep.
Electricity consumption has surged nearly 9 % annually since FY21, up from 5 % in the prior decade. A CEEW report stresses that smart grid technologies, including real-time monitoring GIS, could help India save up to $1.6 B in battery storage by 2030, underscoring the need for rapid grid modernization.
Digitization lies at the heart of this evolution. With technologies like AI, IoT, and predictive analytics, digital switchgear enables remote monitoring, automated fault detection, and load balancing, enhancing reliability and resilience.
Environmental concerns are also reshaping materials. The industry is phasing out harmful SF6 gas in favor of eco-friendly alternatives and recyclable designs that align with climate commitments.
Yet the road ahead involves regulatory challenges, skills shortages, and pressure from low-cost imports. Industry collaboration on innovation, policy reform, and training is key.
With rising EV adoption and dense urban development, India’s switchgear sector must stay agile, sustainable, and digitally equipped to lead the energy transition.
Source: T&D India
#Digitalization#energy transition#GIS#India#renewable energy#smart grid#sustainability#switchgear
