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There are micro/ point solutions that run on open Digitalisation for Decentralisation
architecture and focus on specific process or equipment
issues. Such point solutions can be implemented Decentralised energy generation and distribution
quickly and independently as required in a plant to would be sustainable only if stable quality power
take advantage of time and cost. Most of such point supply can be ensured. The variability in generation and
solutions are cloud or edge deployable and are offered demand, continuous monitoring requirement, lack of
in Software as a Service (SaaS) model. technical skill, etc. are challenging such decentralised
mini-grids’ stability. The digital tools are handy to
An example of a point solution related to pump manage this situation. Remote monitoring through
performance monitoring and diagnostics is given cellular communication, smart sensors, AI/ML-based
below (Fig-03). This digital tool can help the operator self-diagnostic features and correction features etc.
are promising technologies that are being explored
monitor the pump performance and analyse multiple to ensure stable, quality power supply from the
influencing parameters in near real-time to ensure decentralised RE dominated grids.
optimal performance levels throughout plant
operation. Digitalisation – Key Enabler for Energy
Transition
A fast-paced energy transition is the need of the hour,
and it is possible only with digital intervention. “Design
for Digitalisation” is becoming the norm for the industry
which involves ‘sensorising’ critical processes to help
build accurate digital twins, provision for big data
ingestion, and process and data-based interventions for
process optimisation. The challenges of EV dominated
future transportation system can be well managed
through the digitalisation of the vehicles and charging
infrastructure. Smart grids become an essential
component of managing the variability from RE
sources and new types of consumers like EV. Building
energy management systems is also becoming more
intelligent, efficient, and deployed at scale to aid energy
transition effort. In a nutshell, digitalisation is the most
effective enabler in the journey towards a greener
planet.
Courtesy : Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd
Fig. 3 Digital Point Solution for Pumps Author
Few of the capabilities of the digital tool on Real-Time Subhramanyan E Edamana
Monitoring and Diagnostics of Pumps are listed below Assistant General Manager (Digital Services-Power)
Tata Consulting Engineers Limited (TCE)
Anomaly detection based on historical behaviour
References:
Recognise deviated parameter and provide early • Digitalisation and Energy, IEA, 2017
warning alerts
• ower Plant 4.0, Embracing next gen technologies for power
Predict the pump performance for different load plant digitisation, Mckinsey, 2020
conditions • How can we hasten the dawn of a future powered by
sustainable energy, Bart Valkhof
Provide insights into pump failures and factors • WEF, Energy Transition 101, July 2020
influencing pump performance • Energy Progress Report, 2019 on Sustainable Development Goal 7
• The Paris Agreement 2015 at COP21
Help plan the maintenance actions • The World Energy Outlook 2020, IEA
• Global EV Outlook 2019. IEA Future of Coal, MIT
• Power Magazine, Oct ‘18
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