ABB (India Limited) will collaborate with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee to construct an operational Smart Electricity Distribution network and management system (SDNMS) in its campus.

The two have signed a Memorandum of Understanding under which this will serve as a pilot project for the GovernmentÂs `Smart Cities Mission. The agreement also includes the creation of a Smart Grids Resource Centre and joint R&D facilities in the field of efficient power generation and distribution with a focus on clean energy over the next five years.

IIT Roorkee and ABB will collaborate in assimilating various supply and demand side equipment, devices and systems into an automated and hybrid energy distribution and management system for the campus. ABB will also provide design, engineering, procurement, testing and other services for the SDNMS project, expected to be operational in  2018-19.

India, the worldÂs third largest consumer of electricity, is working to transform its urban energy infrastructure to make it more citizen-friendly and sustainable. A cost-effective smart distribution system has the potential to significantly reduce IndiaÂs carbon footprint.

According to Mr. Sanjeev Sharma, CEO and MD, ABB India: ÂABB has a strong relationship with India, having collaborated on several projects over many decades. Our agreement with IIT Roorkee strengthens ABBÂs mission to nurture innovative thinking that helps people lead better lives.Â

ÂThe project signed today serves as a proof of concept of using smart grids and intelligent automation to efficiently manage power distribution. It would make IndiaÂs vision of power to all a reality and ultimately realize ABBÂs goal of building technology that runs the world without consuming the earth, Mr Sharma said.Â

IIT Roorkee has been working to build a more eco-friendly campus using solar energy for power generation and utilization in various forms.ABB has a strong portfolio of products for the integration, distribution and automation of interconnected renewable energy sources that form local distribution grids.

Prof. Ajit Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, ÂIIT Roorkee has been harnessing solar energy not only for electricity generation but also for providing direct hot water to all its hostels and residences in the campus, and also carries out solar based cooking in the hostels.Â

ÂThe smart energy management and distribution agreement with ABB takes us many steps closer to creating a 100percent green campus and achieving zero carbon dioxide emission in the long run, he added.Â

ABBÂs equipment, such as the ring main unit upgrade, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, microgrids and energy management systems will be installed to automate and remotely monitor, control and measure the campus grid. The integrated system will offer more power resilience, lower costs due to reduced dependency on electricity sourced from the government utility and diesel generators.

ABB experts will provide inputs for the creation of an SDNMS simulation at the SGRC which will serve as a platform for testing new ideas and techniques for field trials before deployment. A joint R&D facility on campus, supported by ABB, will be created to tighten collaboration between academia and industry and nurture talent through ABB-sponsored scholarships.