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• Power distribution company Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited is getting ready to implement a new initiative that will not only save the company money, but will also save the grid from collapsing when the demand rises exponentially and the frequency falls on account of heavy overdrawal.The company has got the approval of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission to implement the auto demand response programme that will regulate supply of electricity to big consumers when the demand rises and the grid is put under severe pressure.
• As per the initiative, big consumers such as malls, hospitals and factories will have their load shaved off during high demand periods by a small percentage, which in turn will ease the pressure on the grid. For example if the power demand rises high, then the discom instead of supply 100 MW of power to these big consumers will supply just 70 MW for their use. During critical load periods, these consumers will be provided energy to meet their essential load needs.
• Usually, when the frequency falls below a stipulated figure and there is a threat to the safety of the grid, the discoms have to carry out load shedding to prevent a grid collapse. But with the ADR, the dicoms will be able to rationalise the use of power. They will not be required to cut off supply to all the consumers and also not be forced to make purchases when the rates are very high to meet the spurt in demand.“What we are trying to do is that when the grid is under stress we will curtail the load to big consumers, instead of carrying out load shedding for the entire consumer base,” said a senior official of the TPDDL.Referring to the ADR, he said: “The programme has a twin purpose, it will save the grid from unnecessary strain when there is heavy withdrawal of power, and it will save us from purchasing very expensive power when the demand rises.”
• The programme to be initially launched on a pilot basis will allow the discom to manage and curtail loads automatically in real-time in response to price and reliability triggers.The discom has already conveyed the idea to about 250 big consumers who have given their approval and will be part of the pilot scheme. “Initially we will begin with consumers who have a load consumption of between 150-200 MW and gradually roll out the programme to 40,000 large consumers in our supply area,” the official said.Shaving off load will also help the discoms to cut down on the purchase of expensive power. The pilot project, being carried out in partnership with IBM, will be ready for roll out by March 2013.

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