Power Schemes

MISSION ON ADVANCED AND HIGH-IMPACT RESEARCH (MAHIR) -- Detailed Notes

Purpose: To facilitate indigenous research, development and demonstration of the latest and emerging technologies in the power sector. Approach: The Mission will follow the technology life cycle approach of Idea to Product. Interministerial: The Scheme is launched in collaboration with New & Renewable Energy (MNRE)

Quick Facts Identify emerging technologies/areas of future relevance for the energy sector Create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem and provide a common platform for energy Sector Stakeholders for various tasks Support pilot projects of indigenous technologies and facilitate their commercialization Leverage foreign alliances and partnerships to accelerate R&D Make our Nation among the leading Countries in the Power System Objective Structure of the Mission Technical Scoping Committee: Chaired by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) - Role: Identify and recommend potential technologies for development, monitoring of approved projects, etc.

Apex Committee: Chaired by Union Minister for Power & New Salient Features Significance of MAHIR Helps to achieve net zero emission Help in meeting growing energy demand Promote initiatives like Make in India and Start-up India Contribute towards achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

8 areas are identified for research Green hydrogen for mobility (High Efficiency Fuel Cell) Modifying electric cookers/pans to suit Indian cooking methods Alternatives to Lithium-Ion storage batteries Indigenous CRGO technology Nano technology for EV battery Solid state refrigeration Geo-thermal energy Carbon capture and Renewable Energy - Role: Look into international collaborations, approve and monitor the research proposals Coverage: The proposals for outcome-linked funding will be invited from companies / organizations across the globe.

Selection of the proposal: To be done through Quality cum Cost- Based Selection (QCBS) basis. Patent: The IPR of the technology developed would be shared by the Government of India and the Research Agency. Transparency and accountability: Evaluation of the mission will be taken up through a credible third party at the end of the initial period of the Mission. Funding: Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Central Public Sector Enterprises under them, and also Centers’ budgetary resources.

NOTE: CEA is a Statutory Body constituted under the Electricity Act, 2003 . It seeks to make technical standards & regulations in the power sector of the country.

REVAMPED DISTRIBUTION SECTOR SCHEME -- Detailed Notes

Purpose: Improving operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of all DISCOMs Exclusion: Private Sector DISCOMs Implementing Agencies: Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and POWER FINANCE CORPORATION (PFC) Tenure: Till 2025-26 Quick Facts To reduce the Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses to pan-India levels of 12-15% and Average Cost of Supply (ACS)-Average Revenue Realised (ARR) gap to zero by 2024-25. Improvement in the quality, reliability and affordability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution sector.

Objective Background: The following schemes are subsumed under this: Schemes of Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP)-2015 Two major components

Financial assistance to DISCOMs Conditions to be fulfilled for assistance Financial assistance for works other than smart metering Financial assistance for smart metering Upgradation of the Distribution Infrastructure Prepaid Smart Consumer Metering & System Metering based "Special Category" States: Upto 90% of the approved cost Other stases: 60% of the approved cost "Special Category" States: The grant of Rs 1350 or 22.5% of the cost per consumer (whichever is lower) Other states: A grant of Rs 900 or 15% of the cost per consumer meter (whichever is lower) Salient Features

Priority in smart metering 500 AMRUT cities, with AT&C Losses > 15% All Union Territories (UTs) MSMEs, Industrial and Commercial consumers All Government offices at the Block level and above Other areas with high losses Incentive to States /UTs: To fast-track installation of prepaid Smart Meters by December 2023. Consumer empowerment: By way of prepaid Smart metering to be implemented in Public-Private- Partnership (PPP) mode Leveraging Artificial Intelligence: To analyze data generated through IT/OT devices including System Meters, prepaid Smart meters, etc.

Universal Coverage: RDSS has a universal coverage. The Central Government is supporting States for electrification of households which were missed out under SAUBHAGYA, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Support to PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups): All identified PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Households under PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) for on- grid electricity connection are eligible for funding under RDSS. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) Purpose: Strengthening the electricity distribution system Implementing agency: Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) Work included setting up new substation, separation of agriculture and non- agriculture feeders; augmentation of old substation adding 850000 ckt. of HT&LT lines; etc.

Electrification through off grid modes for villages where grid connectivity was neither feasible nor cost effective. Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) It is the world’s largest zero subsidy domestic lighting programme. EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Ltd) enables domestic households to procure LED lights at an affordable price of Rs. 10/- each and the balance on easy installments from their electricity bill. EESL has also enrolled SHGs for distribution of LED bulbs under UJALA programme.

Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) The initiative was envisioned as “Prakash Path” to replace conventional street lights with smart and energy efficient LED street lights across India. EESL replaces the conventional street lights with LEDs at its own cost (without any need for municipalities to invest). typically of seven years duration where it guarantees a minimum energy saving (of typically 50%) and also provides free replacement & maintenance of lights. The consequent reduction in energy and maintenance cost of the municipality is used to repay EESL over a period of time.