Delhi-based information technology (IT) services company HCL Technologies has signed its first $100-million contract in the country for implementing smart grid solutions in the power sector.
Smart grids are a part of the company’s newly formed Ecosystem and Business Incubation initiative under which it will incubate five ideas in different technologies. HCL signed the largest IT contract for power distribution reforms in the country, which will enable smart grid deployment for a power distribution agency.
A smart grid uses a two-way digital technology to deliver electricity to customers’ homes and to control appliances to increase energy efficiency and reduce power use.
Under the contract, the company will set up an electricity network that can intelligently integrate generators and consumers to balance supply and demand, and allows greater robustness, efficiency and flexibility than today’s power systems.
“HCL has signed the world’s first-of-a-kind smart grid contract with an Indian power distribution enterprise. Smart grids can be used in the emerging markets to reduce inefficiencies and there are 6-10 players in the industry which are offering such solutions,” said Anant Gupta, president, HCL Technologies Infrastructure Services Division.
The company has set up two smart grid labs in India and one in North Carolina, US, and intends to initially penetrate five per cent of the smart meters. It has already won the power ministry’s Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme in almost five states including the one in Uttar Pradesh.
“The smart grids are at a nascent stage and though we have less than 100 people working, there are large deals to be chased where we will become the turnkey integrators,” added Gupta.
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The company in a consortium with Speck Systems Limited is an empanelled IT consultant under the restructured APDRP.
India contributes 5 per cent to the company’s total revenues. “We have announced our first smart grid implementation in the country and there are $100 million-plus deals here. The government is making significant investments, and power and insurance are re-establishing themselves,” Vineet Nayar, CEO, HCL Technologies, had said earlier.