New Delhi, Dec 7 – Union Power Minister Manohar Lal emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine‑learning (ML) tools will be essential to build smart, customer‑focused, self‑optimising power distribution networks. Speaking to attendees at a two‑day national conference on AI/ML in the sector, the minister highlighted how solutions such as smart‑meter data analytics, digital twins, predictive maintenance, theft‑detection systems, appliance‑level consumer insight, automated outage prediction and GenAI‑driven decision aids can reshape both the customer experience and operational performance.
He framed these technologies as a powerful testament to how digital tools can rebuild trust, empower households to manage usage more effectively, pre‑empt outages, shield honest consumers from theft, and help distribution companies (discoms) cut losses, lower purchase costs and invest in stronger infrastructure. “India can position itself as a global leader in digital electricity reform and future‑ready grid governance,” he added.
The minister urged all discoms to partner closely with ecosystem players—AMI service providers, tech solution firms and home‑automation providers—to transition toward smart, reliable and consumer‑centric networks. He also stressed the need to engage consumers actively, dispel myths surrounding new technology and secure their support for adoption.
He praised the AI/ML initiatives presented by discoms, advanced metering infrastructure service providers (AMISPs), technology solution providers (TSPs) and home automation solution providers (HASPs). Following this, he launched the STELLAR (Strategic Expansion for Long‑Term Load Adequacy and Resilience) program, developed by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), which will enable discoms to conduct resource‑adequacy studies and shape long‑term plans. The India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) concurrently released a handbook outlining 174 AI, ML, AR/VR and robotics use cases, 45 of which come from Indian utilities.
Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal underscored the importance of building capacity, establishing secure data‑sharing frameworks and ensuring interoperability so that the innovations showcased can be scaled across the nation to support the country’s energy transition.
The conference ran a nationwide call for innovation, receiving 195 applications from discoms, AMISPs, TSPs and HASPs. After an initial screening, 51 solutions progressed to a detailed jury review on Day 1 (Dec 6). In the end, the winners were announced: Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Company (TNPDCL) and MP East (Madhya Pradesh) in the discom category; Tata Power and Apraava in the AMISP category; Pravah and Flock Energy in the TSP category; and Tata Power again in the HASP category.
The victors presented data‑driven breakthroughs such as advanced smart‑meter analytics for revenue protection by TNPDCL, accurate consumer indexing to cut losses for MP East, behavioural demand‑response and AI‑based automation by TP Power Plus and Apraava, unified real‑time grid intelligence and appliance analytics by Pravah and Flock Energy, and a futuristic, user‑friendly energy monitoring platform by Tata Power—all illustrating the transformative potential of AI‑powered solutions in India’s power sector.
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