AI-driven insights and virtual substations to strengthen India’s grid resilience

The innovations, including the EcoStruxure Grid Operation, offer scalable, cutting-edge SCADA and outage management technology, providing a compact, cost-effective ADMS solution for small and mid-sized utilities.

In India, Schneider Electric is catalysing the transition to a decentralised, intelligent grid with innovative solutions like smart switchgear and virtual substations. These advancements enhance grid resilience, operational efficiency and integration of renewable energy. Nikhil Pathak shares that the company is enhancing power infrastructure through strategic deployment and localised support to create a sustainable, future-ready energy ecosystem in India.

How are AI-powered insights and virtual substations improving India’s grid resilience and operational efficiency?

The power transmission landscape in India is evolving rapidly, driven by advanced technologies that enhance grid resilience and operational efficiency. Modern switchgear systems with sophisticated fault detection capabilities minimise downtime and prevent cascading outages—crucial as we manage increasingly complex bidirectional energy flows from renewable integration.

Innovations like virtual substation technology set new standards for grid flexibility and resilience. This technology virtualise physical substations, allowing for more efficient and flexible control of power distribution networks.

AI-powered insights for extreme weather preparedness are further enhancing grid resilience. Collaborations with AI-driven platforms enable utilities to anticipate and mitigate adverse weather impacts, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and safeguarding infrastructure.

At Schneider Electric, our innovations, including the PowerLogic T300 & T500 RTUs and virtual substation technology, represent significant advancements in grid flexibility. Our EcoStruxure Grid Operation offers scalable, cutting-edge SCADA and outage management technology, providing a compact, cost-effective ADMS solution for small and mid-sized utilities.

How are Schneider Electric’s smart switchgear solutions enabling the transition to a decentralised, intelligent grid in India?

Smart switchgear solutions support India’s transition toward a decentralised, intelligent grid infrastructure. These systems enable seamless real-time communication between energy providers, consumers, and grid devices, which is essential for managing the increasingly complex energy flows characteristic of modern power networks.

Digital integration provides utilities with comprehensive monitoring capabilities and data-driven insights that transform operational decision-making. This precision is particularly valuable when integrating intermittent renewable sources and managing bidirectional power flows across distribution networks.

The modular design philosophy embedded in products like our EasySet MV Switchgear enables scalable deployment while minimising spatial requirements—a critical consideration in India’s densely developed urban environments.

Schneider Electric’s comprehensive switchgear portfolio enables the automation, connectivity, and sustainability essential for next-generation energy distribution. These technologies are accelerating India’s transition to a more resilient energy ecosystem that supports economic development while advancing national climate objectives and strengthening energy security amid global volatility.

How do you address the deployment challenges of next-generation switchgear in India’s power infrastructure?

Deploying next-generation switchgear in India’s power infrastructure presents several challenges, but strategic approaches can help overcome these obstacles.

Modern switchgear is compact, posing integration challenges with existing infrastructure. Compatibility with older systems requires careful planning. Adding communication features for real-time monitoring and control is essential but complex and costly. Ensuring new switchgear is compatible with legacy systems is crucial to avoid extensive overhauls. Utilities must leverage data insights from advanced switchgear, necessitating thorough training. Increased digitalisation demands robust data security and compliance with cybersecurity standards.

Deploying modular and scalable switchgear solutions to overcome these challenges facilitates more straightforward integration with existing infrastructure. Adopting interoperability standards ensures seamless communication between new switchgear and legacy systems. Implementing advanced training programmes enhances utility personnel’s ability to use and interpret data. Investing in robust data analytics platforms enables efficient processing and analysis of data generated by modern switchgear. Establishing comprehensive cybersecurity measures protects the grid from cyber threats. Collaborating with technology providers and industry experts facilitates deployment, providing access to the latest innovations.

How is your integrated approach helping to accelerate India’s energy infrastructure goals?

At Schneider Electric, our pragmatic approach includes local manufacturing, skills development, collaborative models, and thoughtful design. Our investment in local manufacturing delivers solutions specifically engineered for Indian requirements at accessible price points. Our comprehensive training programs have equipped over 400,000 professionals across India with specialised skills, bridging the expertise gap. This combination of approaches is helping overcome deployment barriers, ultimately supporting India’s growth objectives through more reliable power delivery.