Mumbai, Dec 09 : Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) based applications will play a pivotal role in creating intelligent, consumer centric and self optimizing power distribution networks, Union Power Minister Shri Manohar Lal said on Saturday. He was addressing participants at the two day National Conference on AI/ML technologies in the power distribution sector held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The Minister said AI and ML tools such as smart meter analytics, digital twins, predictive maintenance, theft-detection intelligence, appliance-level consumption insights, automated outage prediction and GenAI-based decision support are set to significantly enhance operational efficiency and elevate consumer experience across the sector.
Shri Manohar Lal appreciated the strong participation of DISCOMs, Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Providers (AMISPs), Technology Solution Providers (TSPs), Home Automation Solution Providers (HASPs), industry leaders, innovators and academia. He urged DISCOMs to collaborate more closely with ecosystem partners and accelerate the transition to smart and reliable distribution systems. He also emphasized the need for engaging consumers and countering misinformation around emerging technologies.
Highlighting the transformative impact of digital solutions, the Minister said AI/ML tools can restore consumer trust, empower households to manage electricity use efficiently, prevent outages before they occur, curb power theft, reduce losses for DISCOMs, optimize power purchase costs and enable reinvestment in stronger infrastructure. These innovations, he noted, position India as a global leader in digital electricity reform and future ready grid governance.
Speaking at the conference, Power Secretary Shri Pankaj Agarwal reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to scaling up digitalization across DISCOMs. He stressed the importance of capacity building, secure and interoperable data-sharing mechanisms, and nationwide adoption of AI/ML solutions to support India’s clean energy transition.
This year’s national innovation call received 195 applications from DISCOMs, AMISPs, TSPs and HASPs. After screening, 51 solutions were shortlisted for detailed jury evaluation. Winners included TNPDCL (Tamil Nadu) and MP East in the DISCOMs category; Tata Power and Apraava in the AMISP category; Pravah and Flock Energy among solution providers; and Tata Power in the home-automation category.
On Sunday, the winners presented innovations such as advanced smart meter analytics for revenue protection (Tamil Nadu), consumer indexing for loss reduction (MP East), behavioural demand response (TP Power Plus and Apraava), and unified real-time grid intelligence (Pravah, Flock Energy). Tata Power showcased AI-enabled tools for user-friendly energy monitoring and control.
The Minister felicitated the winners and encouraged rapid scale-up of their solutions across states.
Shri Manohar Lal also launched STELLAR a resource adequacy and long-term planning tool developed by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to help DISCOMs prepare for future load requirements. The India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) additionally released a Handbook on AI, ML, AR/VR and Robotics Solutions for Electric Utilities, featuring 174 use cases, including 45 from Indian utilities.