India’s enthusiastic participation in CIGRE activities
India is committed towards green energy transition. Several initiatives have been taken in all facets of electricity sector (Generation, Transmission, Distribution and System operation), through various policy interventions for promotion of green technologies and healthy competition. CIGRE-India is supporting this shared global vision by organizing tutorials, seminars, workshops, conferences and networking events to encourage learning, research and development, knowledge sharing and collaboration among all stakeholders. During the years 2022 to 2024, thirty-six no. of conferences, workshops, webinars & tutorials were organized by CIGRE India under various Study Committees. Twelve programs covering the strategic focus areas of CIGRE have been planned for the financial year 2024-2025.
We are extremely happy to share that pursuant to these efforts the Indian participation in CIGRE activities has increased significantly during the past few years. Large number of experts from India are regularly contributing in different working groups, symposium / colloquium of various Study Committees of CIGRE Since last CIGRE Session i.e. 2022, various initiatives taken by CIGRE-India National Committee have resulted in 5% increase in membership in last two years. The year wise status of the membership is detailed below:
| Membership category | 2022 | 2024 (09 Sep., 2024) |
|---|---|---|
Collective - 1 | 438 | 408 |
Collective - 2 | 33 | 39 |
Individual - 1 | 192 | 230 |
Individual - 2 (Young) | 13 | 36 |
TOTAL Equivalent membership | 676 | 713 |
Apart from the above, CIGRE India also has established CIGRE NGN India recently. CIGRE NGN India is actively working towards associating young engineers / research scholars with CIGRE. CIGRE NGN India has also actively participated in CIGRE Paris Session 2024. Presently number of NGN members are 47.
Further, in line with focus towards Women in Energy (WiE) & CIGRE’s keenness, CIGRE India has recently appointed Ms. Bani Varma, Director (IS&P), BHEL as Chair of WIE India chapter. Many programs are being envisaged by CIGRE India, in association with WiE chapter to associate maximum numbers of women with CIGRE.
CIGRE Steering Committee meeting
Looking at the large developments that have taken place in India and its contribution towards energy transition & CIGRE, the 113th meeting of the Steering Committee was hosted in India during 9-11 January 2024. The Committee also visited the world’s first + 800 kV HVDC transmission system at Agra on 11 January 2024.
Figure 1 - 113th CIGRE Steering committee meeting at New Delhi, Jan 2024
National day celebration
CIGRE India National Day was celebrated on 10th January 2024 in the presence of the CIGRE Steering Committee. On this day Shri A.K. Rajput, Member PS CEA and Ex-officio Addl. Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Power briefed about the policy initiatives that are taking place in Indian power sector. Dr. Subir Sen, Executive Director, POWERGRID apprised the delegates about the overview of transmission system of India and its future plans. Sh. S.R. Narasimhan, CMD Grid - India presented the status of Indian Grid operation and impact of large penetration of Renewables. Further, all National Committee Chairs presented brief activities under their National Committees, followed by a networking dinner at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.
Figure 2 - Inauguration of International Conference on Grid stability with Enhanced Penetration of Renewables – Technical Challenges & Regulatory Frame Work 11-12 January 2024, New Delhi
Pre-CIGRE Session in India
CIGRE India, Central Board of Irrigation & Power in association with POWERGRID organized Pre-CIGRE Conference on the pivotal theme of “Power Sector Development – Modern Trends & Innovations at International Level”. The Conference was held during 26th & 27th July, 2024 at POWERGRID, Sector 29, Gurugram. It was attended by approximately 125 delegates including the authors of the papers selected for CIGRE Paris Session 2024.
The main aim of the conference was to enhance awareness of the activities of CIGRE, foster knowledge sharing, acquaint the participants with the theme of CIGRE Paris Session 2024 and a homework for expected discussions. The synopsis of International Papers selected for CIGRE Paris Session 2024 were also presented during Pre CIGRE conference to Indian audience to highlight the practices & innovations that are taking place. The Chairs of all sixteen National Study Committees in India moderated the discussions and also shared the global experience on the preferential subjects under the respective Study committees. The report of the event was published in the CBIP international journal which has a wide circulation within India and countries like Germany, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka etc.
Indian participation in CIGRE Paris Session 2024
Indian participation in CIGRE Paris session has also shown considerable improvement. The no. of papers presented in Paris session increased from 52 in August 2022 to 94 in August 2024. At the same time, Indian delegates participated also increased from 100 in August 2022 to about 140 in August 2024, which is very encouraging.
CIGRE Paris Session was attended by Mr. Pankaj Agarwal Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India, Mr. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority, Mr. Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Rural Electrification Corporation, Mr. R. K. Tyagi, CMD, POWERGRID (largest transmission utility of India), Mr. S.R. Narasimhan, CMD, Grid-India (Independent System Operator of India), Mr. P.C. Garg, Chief Operating Officer, Central Transmission Utility (Transmission Planner) as well as eight CEOs from leading power sector companies in India.
Figure 3 - Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Power, Government of India welcomed by CMD POWERGRID and other senior delegates at CIGRE Paris session 2024
About 140 registered participants from India, including 10 no. of women engineers and nine officials of the National Committee of CIGRE India, attended the CIGRE Session 2024. Mr. S.R. Narasimhan, CMD, Grid-India who is also the President of GO15 was a speaker in the Opening Panel and in the CEO forum. Ninety-four (94) papers from India were presented during the poster session. The National Committee Chair of C5, Mr. S.C. Saxena and Chair of C2, Mr. Vivek Pandey contributed as Special rapporteur for the respective Study Committees while many experts from India contributed as paper reviewers. Besides contributions during the Group Discussion Meetings, a presentation was also delivered by Grid-India in the Large Disturbance Workshop in the Paris Session.
Figure 4 - Mr. S.R. Narasimhan, present CMD Grid-India, Mr. K. V.S. Baba ex-CMD, Mr. S.C. Saxena, Director (Market Operation) and other delegates from Grid-India at CIGRE Paris Session
POWERGRID, the largest transmission utility of India hosted a stall in the exhibition during the Paris session which was inaugurated by Secretary, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, in the presence of General Secretary CIGRE & other senior officials of CIGRE & India. The stall attracted a large number of visitors. Besides POWERGRID, 5 other Indian companies have set up their stalls, namely Ashida Electronics Pvt. Ltd., CTR Exports Pvt. Ltd, Digital Reach Pvt. Ltd. (Kalkitech), Savita Oil Technologies and Scope T&M Pvt. Ltd. which attracted large no. of visitors.
Figure 5 - Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India with Mr. Phillipe Adam Secretary General, CIGRE and Mr. Michel Augonnet President CIGRE at POWERGRID stall in CIGRE Paris Session 2024
CIGRE India in association with Central Board of Irrigation and Power hosted India evening at Paris on 27th August 2024 which was attended by about 130 participants. CIGRE Central officials also participated.
The outgoing President of CIGRE was very much impressed on the contribution towards innovation, achievements made by India in the Electricity Sector during the CIGRE Paris Session 2024.
CIGRE India is committed to carry forward this enthusiasm and enriching experience for its stakeholders.
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