Last July, Sam Pitroda, Chairman of India’s Smart Grid Task Force, announced that eight smart grid pilot programs would be implemented nationwide, starting in 2012. Within the next two months, the Ministry of Power, Government of India, is expected to finalize these projects, valued at $9.69 million—representing a major opportunity for Asia/Pacific smart grid industry players.

As India readies for advanced metering infrastructure, two firms that are leaders in their own fields of expertise are joining forces to position themselves to provide optimum value.

Hyderabad, India -based Mahindra Satyam, a consulting and information communications technology (ICT) group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Houston-based Intertek, the largest tester of consumer goods in the world, to collaborate on smart grid-focused inspection, testing, and certification services.

“Our partnership presents a wide range of potential benefits to our clients,” said Karthikeyan Natarajan, senior vice president and global head, Integrated Engineering Solutions, Mahindra Satyam, adding, “We continue to strive for excellence, and—with Intertek’s (News - Alert) expertise in design review services, testing, and certification services—we will deliver added value to our customers in our smart grid offerings.” 

Mahindra Satyam will begin integrating Intertek's Satellite Data Acceptance Program into its laboratories to conform to current smart grid industry standards and regulations.  Under the agreement, Mahindra Satyam will serve as Intertek’s partner for testing various industry standards in the smart grid business vertical.

“We are very excited to be working with an Industry leading company like Mahindra Satyam,” commented Sunny Rai, regional vice president, Renewable Energy, Intertek. “Mahindra Satyam’s expertise in smart grid applications is aligned with Intertek’s objective to advance industry safety standards and help speed the evolution of this important technology for our clients around the world.” 

The MOU between Mahindra Satyam and Intertek will streamline the process by which the two companies cooperate on projects for the automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics industries, while also enhancing services offerings for customers.

In India, one-quarter of the population still has no access to electricity. In describing the eight smart grid projects at the July press conference, Pitroda stressed six goals. Specifically, the Smart Grid Task Force intends to:

• Develop an indigenous smart grid model, with local production and skill development;
• Focus on addressing the problem of power shortages and peak load management ;
• Create strategies for theft prevention and loss reduction;
• Provide power access to rural areas and to the poor;
• Develop alternative sources of power, such as grid-linked wind and solar power, and enhance reliability of power to urban areas; and
• Offer affordable and sustainable power production

India’s 14 power utilities will submit bids on the eight smart grid pilot projects. Fifty percent of the total project cost will be borne by the Power Ministry, and the remaining 50 percent, by the selected utilities. Once started, the pilots will be completed within 12 to 18 months 

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