An Energy Internet for India: are we ready for a technology leapfrogging?

Abstract

Abstract Globally, national electricity systems are amid aggressive transitions. The shift from large fossil-fuel based power systems to many small-scale distributed renewable energy systems is a favourable paradigm for a transition to the Energy Internet. Relying on wide spectrum of emerging technologies such as information & communication technologies, the Energy Internet facilitates real-time trade of power through bidirectional flows of electricity, communication, and money. Energy transitions in India are at a fast pace and further transformation to an Energy Internet is an achievable dream. Current structure of expedited energy transition is experienced in the form of transformation in business models of energy utility service companies and energy markets. The objective of this paper is to systematically assess the ongoing transitions, the challenges and the opportunities and examine whether India is ready to leapfrog into a new way of energy transactions which will gradually transform the present electricity system to an Energy Internet. Our findings elaborate a reality check on India’s current transition pathways and answer the question: can an Energy Internet become real in near future?