This article explains how Delhi improved its electricity system over many years. In the past, power cuts, old equipment, electricity theft, and poor billing caused many problems. The city improved the system by using new technology, better meters, stronger laws, and better trained workers. I found it interesting that electricity losses dropped from more than 50 percent to around 5 to 6 percent. This shows that technology alone is not enough. Good management, responsibility, and customer support are also very important for improving a power system.
South Africa should learn something from India
I love the details on how it took both electrical engineering and public policy changes to improve Delhi's grid. Given how grids are changing, it makes me wonder what other places can learn from the rise of distributed generation and the associated need for reactive power management. And it makes me wonder how engineers can seek out and find policy allies in government.
