ElectronVibe 2022

ElectronVibe 2022 Winners
Grid Modernization Track

Winner

Powerbot optimizes the use of electricity through monitoring and analytics

EV Infrastructure Management Track

Winner

A SaaS platform for EV fueling and energy management agnostic to vehicle and hardware type.

Program Overview

The program is running two concurrent tracks, each track having been designed based on a specific problem statement defined by our partner electric utilities:

BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL)

Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply & Transport (BEST)

Problem Statements

Each problem statement has been developed by consulting with a specific Indian electric utility.

Selected startups will be part of the relevant track, chosen at the time of application.

Track 1 - Problem Statement on EV Infrastructure

Solutions for time scheduling of EV charging to help balance the grid

The Problem
The current EV charging infrastructure in Delhi comprises of slow chargers (mainly for private charging) and fast chargers (above 140kW, in public locations like malls, offices, etc.). When a large number of EVs come online for charging at the same time, it introduces a large sudden excess load on the grid. So there is a need to balance the load curve as a result of the growing demand from an electric vehicle fleet

What is BRPL looking for?
BRPL is looking for solutions that enable or enhance time scheduling of EV charging in order to help balance the grid. At the same time, the monitoring of loads is critical to ensure there is no misuse of the preferential tariff available for EVs.

Track 2 (BEST Challenge) - Problem Statement #1: Fault Detection

Solutions to Detect Faults across the Grid

The Problem
BEST manages over 6,000 service positions within the grid. Seasonal events (mainly during the monsoons) increase the frequency of faults in the grid. This leads to an increase in downtimes and customer complaints, causing a strain on the O&M team.

What is BEST looking for?
BEST is looking for grid management solutions that will be able to monitor grid assets and manage grid services. Such solutions will enable fault detection and real-time reporting of the same. In addition, solutions should be able to identify pockets/clusters of substations where faults are likely to occur within specific future time-periods, such as the next one hour, one day and one month.
This will lead to an enhancement of the discom’s operational and technical efficiency in the shift to a smarter, decarbonized grid.

Track 2 (BEST Challenge) - Problem Statement #2: Redesign of ADPs

Redesign of Auxiliary Distribution Pillars

The Problem
BEST’s Distribution system infrastructure, including their Auxiliary Distribution Pillars (ADPs), have run on the same platform for many years. Currently, ADPs in the BEST network contain standardized MCBs and RYB Busbars with limited scope to incorporate new data and consumer management technology.

What is BEST looking for?
BEST is looking to redesign ADPs to incorporate modern hardware that will monitor consumption, assess faults, etc., leading to improved grid safety, reliability, interconnectivity (through mesh networks), and operational efficiency.

Solutions

Mature power sector startups from India (and potentially, globally) would develop and submit business-cases based on their viable and scalable solutions, in response to the defined problem statements. Such solutions could include (an illustrative and non-comprehensive list):

For Track 1 - Problem Statement on EV Infrastructure

Enabling hardware (for e.g. charging equipment, sensors/IoT)
Software (for e.g. consumer apps for charging, firmware to integrate with existing charging equipment)
Load-system analysis
Load-signature analysis
Data analytics (real-time and historical)
Products that enable real-time connectivity/communications
etc

For Track 2 (BEST Challenge) - Problem Statement #1: Fault Detection

A heat map of likely faults, mapped in a GiS tool from red to green
Centralized dashboard system for fault detection
Alerts system sent to centralized and decentralized controllers
etc

For Track 2 (BEST Challenge) - Problem Statement #2: Redesign of ADPs

IoT enabled data monitoring systems
Hardware to enable Demand Response
etc

Who should apply?

This program is for:

Mature power sector startups with developed solutions that are ready to be deployed at scale.
Startups can either be based in India, or be incorporated in an overseas jurisdiction but have the capacity to set up operations in India.