Electricity and gas distributors to collaborate in India

The India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) and Natural Gas Society (NGS) have launched a joint India City Gas Distribution Forum.

The initiative draws on the many similarities between the work of the electricity and gas distributors and the scope – little exploited in many jurisdictions – for the sharing of both physical and digital assets.

As such, it also illustrates an example of ‘sector coupling’ in action in the energy transition.

The India Smart Grid Forum is a public-private initiative of the Ministry of Power to accelerate the development of smart grid technologies in the country’s energy sector.

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The Natural Gas Society is a gas sector industry body providing an emerging voice for the sector and catalysing its development.

The Indian government has set a target of a 15% gas-based economy by 2030 and licenses have been issued for city gas distribution in urban areas in 407 districts spread across 28 states and Union territories that cover almost three-quarters of the population of the country.

The India CGD Forum is intended as a platform for collaboration between the electricity and gas distribution companies.

Collaborative opportunities listed include the sharing of GIS maps, common billing and collection systems, common call centres and sharing of last mile connectivity for network automation and smart metering, among others.

Proposed actions for the Forum include the creation of technical and research studies, customised training programmes and workshops and the sharing of knowledge and experiences.

Shri Tarun Kapoor, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is the honorary Chairperson of India CGD Forum.

The growth of gas in India’s economy requires the development of infrastructure including terminals and nationwide and city distribution networks.