A National Workshop on Computational Intelligence Techniques for Smart Grid Applications,May 28-30, 2015

A three day Workshop on ‘Computational Intelligence Techniques for Smart Grid Applications’ organized by Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) during May 28-30, 2015.

The Workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Timothy Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi. In his inaugural address, Prof. Gonsalves highlighted the accomplishment and research activities of IIT Mandi. He had also shared the vision of IIT Mandi, as an Institute ‘to be a leader in science and technology education, knowledge creation and innovation, in an India marching towards a just, inclusive and sustainable society’ and one of its thrust area ‘to devise globally recognized solutions for the problems of society and industry, particularly in the fragile eco-system of the Himalayas’. He emphasized the relevance of this timely Workshop by which different groups of society can come together to solve the challenges of security, stability and reliability for a sustainable energy sector using Smart Grid technologies.

The main objective of this Workshop was to facilitate the forum to discuss the various computational intelligence techniques that can be applied to Smart Grids and its applications to achieve a more efficient and environmentally friendly grid operation. The various issues, problems and challenges in terms of operation, management and control of Smart Grid have been described in details. The present scenario of power system is changing very rapidly due to the new technological developments and formulation of new regulatory polices of governments. With a wide range of leading researchers from around the country, the workshop results in a well-defined road-map for the development and deployment of Smart Grid in India.

Earlier, addressing the participants, Dr. Manoj Thakur gave emphasis on the application of various computing techniques to build a healthier and economical power grid with high penetration of renewable energy sources like small hydro energy, wind energy, solar energy etc. specially for Indian power sectors. He had also mentioned that a meaningful discussion in such august gathering would definitely lead to enrichment of all the participants and will carry the message throughout the society. This Workshop drew more than 40 participants from academic institutions and utilities from different states including UP, Haryana, MP, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal and Uttarakhand.

Several distinguish speakers from all around India discussed on the various aspects of Smart Grids. Prof. Prof S. N. Singh from IIT Kanpur; Dr. N. M. Pindoriya from IIT Gandhinagar; Prof Ramesh Oruganti, Dr. Manoj Thakur, Dr Anik Kr. Sao, Dr. Samar Agnihotri, Dr. Bharat S. Rajpurohit were among the speakers including other eminent personalities who shared their expertise with the participants. A trip to Rewalasr Lake and cultural program was arranged for the participants.

The Workshop was financially supported by IIT Mandi and DST-SERI.

Group Photo

Inauguration of workshop (from left Dr. Manoj Thakur, Prof. S. N. Singh, Prof. Timothy Gonsalves and Prof. B. D. Choudhary)

Prof. Timothy Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi delivering inaugural address