India Smart Grid Forum

India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) is a public private partnership initiative of Ministry of Power (MoP), Government of India for accelerated development of smart grid technologies in the Indian power sector. ISGF was set up  in 2010 to provide a mechanism through which academia, industry, utilities and other stakeholders could participate in the development of Indian smart grid systems and provide relevant inputs to the government’s decision-making.

• To help the Indian power sector deploy smart grid technologies in an efficient, cost effective, innovative and scalable manner by bringing together all key stakeholders and enabling technologies
• To create a platform for public and private stakeholder members, research institutions and power utilities to exchange ideas and information on smart grids and develop use case scenarios for India.
• To bring together experts from regulation, policy, and the corporate sector to build support for smart grid policies.
• To conduct research on the capabilities of smart grids in the Indian context through case studies, cost-benefit analysis, study of technical advancements in renewable energy sources and other ancillary activities.
• To make recommendations to the Government, Regulators, Utilities and Consumers through reports, white papers, technical seminars, etc.

Mandate of ISGF is to advise government on policies and programs for promotion of Smart Grids in India, work with national and international agencies in standards development and to help utilities, regulators and the Industry in technology selection, training and capacity building.

ISGF has over 100 members covering ministries, government institutions, regulators, utilities and private companies from the industry, non-profit organisations, educational and research entities and students from renowned institutions. ISGF has constituted 10 working groups examining different aspects of smart grids – WG1:  Advanced Transmission; WG2: Advanced Distribution; WG3: Communications for Smart Grids; WG4: Metering; WG5: Consumption and Load Control; WG6: Policy and Regulations; WG7: Architecture and Design; WG8: Pilots and Business Models; WG9: Renewables and Microgrids; and WG – 10: Cyber Security.

The members of ISGF participate in focused working groups to develop required use cases, standards, technology recommendations and guidelines. ISGF has been actively providing advisory services to MoP on matters related to smart grids in India and conducting monthly technology workshops.

Membership to ISGF is by invitation. Those interested can download the application form from India Smart Grid Knowledge Portal (ISGKP)  and send the signed applications to membership@indiasmartgrid.org

Benefits of being a member of ISGF: As an ISGF member, an organization can – nominate their experts in ISGF working groups and contribute towards formulation of appropriate policies, programs and standards for development of smart grids in India; take part in the technology sessions and workshops conducted by ISGF; access to the members-only resources on ISGKP; networking with policy makers, utilities, system integrators, OEMs, academia, research and industry associations in India; advance information on smart grid policies and programs​; showcase their achievements in the ISGF Newsletter and ISGKP; seek assistance from ISGF team in conducting a training needs analysis and designing a capacity building plan for the employees and a consumer outreach program for the Smart Grid pilots.

Hon’ble Power Minister Sh. Jyotiraditya Scindia released Ministry of Power’s Smart Grid Vision and Roadmap for India at the Power Minister’s Conference in Sept 2013. The Roadmap drafted under the guidance of Advisor to the Prime Minister Sh. Sam Pitroda by the experts from India Smart Grid Forum is in alignment with the Ministry of Power’s overarching policy objectives of “access, availability and affordability of power for all”.

You can download the Smart Grid Vision and Roadmap for India here.

For more information, contact Reena Suri, Manager – Communication, Training and Outreach, visit the website or download the ISGF Information Flyer.