Energy Efficiency

Building infrastructure can be a powerful contributor in India’s quest for optimized grid management. This was the core insight at the “Advancing Building-Grid Integration in India” consultation workshop, a timely gathering of key stakeholders in New Delhi. Organized by USAID/India under the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) Program, through the SAREP Partnership Fund (SPF), the event served as a dynamic platform for fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and charting a collaborative path towards harnessing building-grid synergy for a more resilient and energy-efficient India.

Inaugurating the session, Ms. Apurva Chaturvedi, USAID/India, underscored the necessity of adoption of smart grids. Mr. Atul Bali, NSGM, emphasized the importance of grid optimization strategies, enhanced flexibility, and accelerated smart meter deployment in India. Mr. Sachin Talewar, Director-Technical, MP Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Co. Ltd. (MPPKVVCL), highlighted the potential of building-grid integration for efficient grid operations.

USAID’s SAREP, New Buildings Institute (NBI), and Environmental Design Solutions (EDS) presented the “GridOptimal-India” study, showcasing building-side strategies for peak-hour optimization and cost savings, based on their collaborative research with Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) in Haryana and MPPKVVCL in Madhya Pradesh. NBI representatives, Alexi Miller and Mischa Egolf, highlighted the potential of leveraging buildings as ‘batteries’ and emphasized the importance of demand response programs, particularly during peak grid periods.

Following this, an interactive session was facilitated on four important areas: policy and regulation, building design and technology, grid management and utility, and renewable energy. The session witnessed insightful exchanges on promising building-grid integration strategies and their applicability in the Indian context.

Finally, a panel discussion featuring prominent experts such as Ms. Kumud Wadhwa (NSGM), Ms. Anjuli Chandra (Former Member, Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission), Mr. Naveen Nagpal (BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd), Mr. Syed Hasan Imam (Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd), and Mr. Anindya Bhattacharya (The Celestial Earth) highlighted the following:

• Prioritizing demand-response programs tailored to consumer behavior
• The importance of consumer awareness programs for enhanced energy literacy
• Addressing data availability challenges hindering comprehensive grid integration research

Continued engagement between stakeholders, including policymakers, distribution utilities, and the building industry, is crucial to translating these insights into concrete action and unlocking the full potential of building-grid integration. Moving forward, significant benefits can be achieved by aligning building energy consumption with grid needs, including cost savings, emissions reductions, and enhanced grid resilience.