International workshop on smart grid technology | Sunday Observer

International workshop on smart grid technology

8 April, 2018

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in partnership with the Melbourne School of Engineering, conducted an international workshop in Galle on smart grid technology, to examine how clean energy technologies and smarter systems can provide opportunities to reduce poverty, address social inclusion and gender equality issues.

The third learning program on smart grid technologies and implications for inclusive development discussed persisting challenges and entry points for inclusive energy solutions in developing countries.

“Access to modern energy services and electricity is an inherent right. We are working with senior government representatives from the power sector in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka to improve grid service delivery, making it smarter to meet the challenges of accessibility including increased demand and affordability,” workshop coordinator from the University of Melbourne’s Energy Institute, Reihana Mohideen said.

Using the latest technologies in clean energy, countries should be empowered to meet the consumer needs of rural and urban communities who currently might not have energy access or if they do so, it is only for a limited number of hours a day, she said.

“The smartening of grids is already happening and smart grid and deployment of its components and related technologies are an important focus of the ADB energy portfolio in South Asia. Innovative energy technologies and systems, cost effectiveness and CO emission reduction are essential intertwined components of the low-carbon energy transition,” ADB South Asia Department Energy Division Director Priyantha Wijayatunga said.

To reduce carbon emissions and limit temperature rise, governments have decided to improve energy efficiency and energy conservation and rapidly ramp up energy produced from renewable sources of energy, notable solar and wind power.

Turning to smart grid technologies is the solution as it improves the reliability and resilience of the grid, enables large scale integration of variable renewable power and the dynamic management of electricity demand. These contribute to reductions in harmful emission and most importantly carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation and use.

“The introduction and implementation of smart grid technologies at national level will create a new paradigm of active distribution that can dramatically change the role of the consumer and communities, transforming passive users in to active players, both as producers and consumers or prosumers,” ADB South Asia Department Principal Social Development Specialist, Francesco Tornieri said.

Sri Lanka’s demand for power is ever increasing and it is expected to grow at 6 to 7 percent annually.

In 2017, ADB provided a US $ 200 million loan with a sovereign guarantee to Ceylon Electricity Board for the development of a 100 MW wind park and $ 50 million loan to the government for development of rooftop solar systems.

The wind farm is considered to be the first 100 MW wind farm in the country and is estimated to add significantly to the country’s 2020 renewable energy ambition.

The rooftop solar project will boost access to clean and reliable power in Sri Lanka. Specifically the project is expected to finance rooftop solar power subprojects equivalent to additional capacity of 60 MW while building capacity and awareness of relevant authorities, private sector partners and consumers. 

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