The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has floated an expression of interest (EoI) for three smart grid field pilots combining renewable sources (solar and biomass) and storage (Lithium-ion and flow batteries). This is part of a project called U.S.-India Collaborative For Smart Distribution System With Storage (UI-ASSIST).

The bid submission deadline is August 30, 2019. The bids will open on September 2, 2019. The cost of the project is estimated at ₹80 million (~$ 1.11 million).

The institute will hire smart grid system integrators for the installation of three smart grid field pilots under the UI-ASSIST project following the scope of the contract.

The contractors are required to be well versed with cutting edge developments in smart distribution and microgrids. After the technical evaluation, the applicants will be shortlisted, and their financial proposals will be received through Limited Tender Enquiry (LTE) floated by IIT-K. The college is not obligated to adhere to the LTE process. The institute might even float a new global tender inquiry if the bidding process for the current EoI does not succeed.

The technical requirement for bidders states that the applicants should have conducted a similar type of task with a project cost somewhere between ₹32 million (~$445,370) to over ₹80 million (~$1.11 million). In terms of financial criteria, the turnover of the bidder over the last three years should be around ₹80 million (~$1.11 million) to ₹160 million (~$22.26 million). The capacity of solar installations by the bidder should be at least 100 kW to 1 MW. The battery installations should be between 100-800 kWh. The bidder should have biomass project installation in the range of 30-60 kW.

The scope of work states that the microgrids will be monitored from the smart grid control center located inside the IIT campus which has SCADA (supplied by synergy systems and solutions) and advanced metering infrastructure system integrated. The scope of work includes complete engineering and designing based on specifications provided by IIT-K.

Earlier this year, the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT-R) signed an agreement with ABB to become a smart campus. The agreement also includes the creation of a smart grid resource center, joint R&D facilities, and support for Ph.D. students. The project would also support technology solutions like smart metering, SCADA, ring main unit, and wireless broadband communication platform.

Previously, the Ministry of Science & Technology set up a solar energy harnessing center at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M). The center will have a network of scientist from IIT Madras, IIT-Guwahati, Anna University, ICT-Mumbai, BHEL, among others and these scientists will focus their research on developing high-efficiency silicon solar cells that are suited for Indian conditions.

Image credit: Lance Cpl. Christopher Johns [Public domain]