The Indian government’s power ministry has initiated a new project to integrate information technology solutions into the country’s energy sector. The goal is to create a “utility intelligence platform” under the India Energy Stack (IES), a digital public infrastructure initiative. This platform aims to increase power efficiency and make the energy ecosystem more interconnected and intelligent.
The IES is designed to enable a connected, intelligent, and interoperable energy ecosystem, allowing data to be unlocked from various systems to drive innovation and efficiency. The platform will be developed using standardized and open APIs and protocols, in collaboration with selected power distribution utilities. The ministry has invited stakeholders, including utilities and technology providers, to participate in the project and provide their views on the integration of new IT solutions.
The government encourages stakeholders to adopt IES standards early on to minimize retrofitting costs and support a unified, innovation-driven power sector. The IES will define open standards and interoperability frameworks, allowing all stakeholders to factor these standards into their product designs. This will help organizations remain future-ready and support the development of a unified power sector.
The India Energy Stack is a digital ecosystem that covers power generators, distributors, and consumers, aiming to improve grid management and help achieve India’s target of net-zero emissions by 2070. The power ministry has created a separate task force for IES and plans to provide unique identifiers to consumers, utilities, and transactions, allowing for real-time, consent-based data sharing. This initiative is inspired by the success of other platforms, such as Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which provide clear identifiers and generate accurate data for policymaking.
The digital public infrastructure will include the utility intelligence platform as a data-driven application, which will undergo testing with a few select power distribution companies. The ministry’s survey will also evaluate stakeholders’ readiness to participate in the energy stack, ensuring a smooth transition to the new digital ecosystem. By leveraging technology and promoting interoperability, the Indian government aims to create a more efficient, sustainable, and connected energy sector.