Modelling Barriers for Smart Grid Technology Acceptance in India

Abstract

The numerous challenges faced by the power sector in India, like high transmission and distribution loss, power theft, frequent power outages and under billing, have impelled to adopt new technologies like smart grid to make the power grid more efficient and secure, leading to the need for interdisciplinary research in the area of power systems and management. An ambitious target of the Government of India to produce 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 has created a drive towards implementing smart grid technology in India. Though the smart grid seems to be a promising solution, it requires considerable investment, infrastructure development and social acceptance by the consumers. Investigation of smart grid pilot projects in India clearly indicates a lack of consumer involvement and poor infrastructure development. This research aims to identify factors that can be considered barriers to smart grid technology acceptance in India and develop a hierarchical model. The present work has implemented a systematic and scientific approach that includes content analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), total interpretive structural modelling (TISM) and Matrice d'impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment (MICMAC) to develop a hierarchical model for smart grid technology acceptance. The result highlights the importance of consumer awareness and various factors affecting the consumer’s participation in the successful delivery of smart grid technology. It will undoubtedly help policymakers frame the long-term strategies for implementing smart grid technology, especially in a developing country like India. This paper’s contribution from a developing country perspective, made by findings on prioritising barriers, can help managers and policymakers plan a strategy for implementing the smart grid. The findings will undoubtedly help understand the significant factors for smart grid development. They can also be used as a reference for other developing countries with similar economic and social conditions that are planning to promote smart grids.