Design of Strategic Smart Grid Transformational Roadmap and Implementaional Framework-SWOT Analysis of Pakistan Case

Abstract

The traditional multi-level hierarchical structured power grid is facing many systematic, operational, management and capacity challenges. Thus, strategic efforts are required from power enterprises to not only upgrade the existing grid infrastructure but move forward toward self-healing and resilient grid by integrating the diverse energy resources into the power systems through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), smart sensing and instrumentation, and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) resources. To serve the purpose, the concept of new intelligent power grid known as Smart Grid (SG) was introduced. SG promises the direct involvement of all the stakeholders including service provider, grid operators and consumers making it a grid state aware network. However, SG is a new paradigm and its acceptance and implementation brings forth many folded challenges. In this paper, we present the transformational road map and strategic framework of establishing the SG in Pakistan by making the SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) analysis of existing power grid. The prospective requirements, multi folded constraints, adoptions barriers, technological requirements, design and technology standards, and deployment issues of Pakistan have been identified on the basis of the SWOT analysis in relationship to SG implementation. Various recommendations have been given for the up-gradation of existing electrical infrastructure to facilitate smart grid implementation including replacement of the electromechanical switches, smart instrumentation, advanced monitoring systems, meeting challenges in telecommunications services, and interoperability of information technologies etc. It is concluded that government support is obligatory to deploy SG concept in Pakistan along with the public-private partnership, private investment and more importantly the willingness of utility operators to accept and opt this intelligent grid. The presented framework will pave a path for future research work in SG domain in Pakistan so to move from traditional electricity supply system to the state-of-the art intelligent grid system.