CEA launches new software to help power utilities of states

IANS April 13, 2025 232 views

The Central Electricity Authority has introduced a cutting-edge software that revolutionizes power system planning across Indian states. This indigenously developed tool enables comprehensive resource adequacy assessments up to 2034-35, ensuring optimal electricity generation and distribution. The model uniquely considers complex system constraints like technical minimums and demand response mechanisms. By providing free access to this transparent software, CEA aims to help state utilities achieve zero load shedding and minimize operational costs.

"A comprehensive tool to ensure zero load shedding and least cost solutions" - CEA Official Statement
New Delhi, April 13: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has launched an indigenously developed Integrated Generation, Transmission, and Storage Expansion Planning Model with Demand Response which will help state power discoms to carry out a comprehensive resource adequacy plan, according to an official statement issued on Sunday.

Key Points

1

Indigenously developed model helps states plan electricity resources effectively

2

Software covers generation, transmission, and storage expansion

3

Ensures resource adequacy through dynamic planning

4

Integrates demand response and system constraints

After the issuance of Resource Adequacy Guidelines, the CEA has been carrying out the Resource Adequacy (RA) plans for all the discoms. To begin with, the CEA completed the exercise for all discoms up to 2032, and now all of them have been updated to 2034-35.

The CEA has also finished the national level exercise up to 2034-35. Since the plan is dynamic and is mandated to be revised every year, it was thought to develop a common tool for all and share it with them free of cost. It will also help integrate the studies easily and bring out the optimum solutions for the country.

The model explicitly considers chronological operation of the power system and all unit commitment constraints, including technical minimum, minimum up and down times, and ramp-up/ramp-down rates. Besides, endogenous demand response and ancillary services have also been included, the statement said.

The benefits of the tool include ensuring adequate resource adequacy (neither less nor more) in the electricity grid, zero load shedding, no stressed capacity, and least cost solutions.

It will also help in optimisation of the cost of power system generation expansion and system operation while considering the benefit of demand response. Besides, it will help to optimise the size and location of storage.

The software has been developed entirely in India with the active guidance of the CEA, ensuring complete transparency. The CEA will update and upgrade this tool based on further suggestions from the users (discoms/load despatchers) of this software.

The launch event highlighted the collaboration between the CEA, The Lantau Group (TLG) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Technical Assistance programme.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is a great initiative by CEA! Proper planning tools can really help optimize our power infrastructure. Hope the states implement this effectively 🤞
P
Priya M.
Finally some focus on demand response! Most utilities ignore this aspect completely. The storage optimization feature sounds particularly useful for renewable integration.
A
Amit S.
While the software sounds promising, I hope they've considered the ground realities of our power distribution systems. Many discoms struggle with basic data collection - will they be able to utilize this effectively?
S
Sanjana R.
Love that it's indigenously developed! 🇮🇳 More power to our technical capabilities. The zero load shedding promise sounds ambitious but exciting if they can deliver.
V
Vikram P.
The annual revision requirement is smart - power systems evolve so quickly these days. Hope the updates keep pace with technology changes.
N
Neha T.
Good to see ADB involved in this. International expertise combined with local knowledge could make this really effective. The storage location optimization could be a game changer for renewable-heavy states.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published

Tags:
CEA Power Utilities Energy Planning Electricity Grid Demand Response India Infrastructure
You May Like!