The Digital Power Utilities Summit, organised by Elets Technomedia and sponsored by SAP, successfully concluded on August 25, 2023, at The Park Hotel in New Delhi. The summit, held under the theme of “Envisioning Energy of the Future,” brought together key stakeholders, industry experts, and thought leaders to discuss and deliberate on the transformative role of digital technologies in shaping the energy sector’s future.
The summit provided a platform for insightful discussions on the opportunities, challenges, and innovations within the energy sector, with a particular focus on the revolutionary impacts of digital solutions such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). The event attracted a diverse audience of professionals, policymakers, and technologists, all united in their shared interest in ushering in a sustainable and efficient energy future.
The keynote address was delivered by Saurav Kumar Shah, Executive Director (RDSS) of Power Finance Corporation Limited, who highlighted the intricate coordination required among various stakeholders in the power sector. He emphasised the significant industry participation and continuous feedback that contributes to effective policy formulation. Mr. Shah lauded the achievements in universal access and improved reliability in power generation while acknowledging ongoing challenges. He noted the potential of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme to drive down losses and enhance infrastructure in the sector.
Vijay Prakash, Chief General Manager (Engineering) at NTPC Limited, shared insights during a panel discussion titled “Energy Leaders of Tomorrow: Envisioning Energy of the Future.” He acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from coal to renewable energy sources and the necessity of innovative strategies in the journey towards sustainable energy.
Kumud Wadhwa, Chief General Manager of the National Smart Grid Mission (PMU) at Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), discussed the importance of flexible grid operations and the deployment of smart grid technologies for effective management of renewable energy sources’ integration into the grid.
Tech Presentations throughout the summit included topics such as “Energy Transition for Sustainable Future,” “Digital Technologies Enabling India’s Smart Metering Vision,” “Digitizing Asset Maintenance in Power Utility,” “Digitizing Energy Operations with SAP S/4 HANA,” and “Creating a Sustainable Power Utility Enterprise.” Experts from the industry, including Mohan Gupta, Vice-President-Utility Industry at SAP Asia Pacific & Japan, highlighted the critical role of asset management and energy management in the effective utilisation of energy infrastructure.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Ravi Gupta, Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of Elets Technomedia, expressed gratitude to the speakers and delegates for their active participation in the summit. He acknowledged SAP’s sponsorship support and their contribution to the dialogue on India’s energy transition journey.
The Digital Power Utilities Summit served as a significant platform for fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and fostering innovation in the energy sector’s digital transformation. As the world continues to address the challenges of climate change and sustainable energy, the summit reinforced the importance of harnessing digital technologies to shape a cleaner and greener energy future.