How Digital Twin Tech May Mean Fewer And Shorter Power Cuts

New Delhi: Delhi govt is planning to expand the use of digital twin technology in the power distribution sector, which would allow operators to detect possible fault scenarios before taking field-level action. The first large-scale rollout of the technology is already under way in west Delhi's Janakpuri, where BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) has deployed a real-time Digital Twin of its electricity distribution network.
A digital twin is essentially a virtual, continuously updated replica of a physical network. In Janakpuri, it mirrors substations, feeders, transformers and even consumer meters. The platform integrates SCADA controls, GIS mapping, IoT sensors, smart meters and enterprise systems into a single digital dashboard. Engineers can see real-time electricity flows, monitor equipment health and simulate possible fault scenarios before taking field-level action. Power minister Ashish Sood said: "We are trying this technology and till now it has proved to be efficient. We will use it in other places as well, and since this is a costly affair, we will also seek the Centre's help." The system was also showcased at the recently concluded AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, offering a live demonstration of how artificial intelligence is being used to monitor and manage power supply. A senior official said that, unlike conventional systems that respond after a breakdown, the digital twin uses AI-driven analytics to predict potential failures. It can flag abnormal load patterns, detect stress on transformers and enable automated fault isolation through remote switching. This reduces outage duration and minimises the need for manual intervention, he said. Like Google Maps, the digital twin creates a dynamic, interactive map of the electricity network that updates in real time. It displays live power flows, equipment status and fault locations across substations, feeders and transformers. Engineers can zoom in from a city-level view to a specific transformer or even a consumer meter. For consumers, the impact is expected to be visible in the form of fewer and shorter power cuts, quicker restoration during faults and improved voltage stability during peak demand periods. The system also enables better load forecasting, helping the utility prepare in advance for summer demand spikes, he said. By identifying unusual consumption patterns at feeder and meter levels, it can also help curb power theft and reduce technical losses. Once completed, Janakpuri could become Delhi's first fully digitised and live-monitored power distribution zone, he said. Parallel physical upgrades are under way. In parts of the division, around 2.5 km of overhead cables were shifted underground, nearly 400 metering installations were upgraded, and 17 smart feeder pillars were installed to enable faster fault detection. Older oil-filled transformers were replaced with dry-type units to improve safety. Officials said that lessons from Janakpuri could inform wider adoption of digital twin systems in other parts of the city. If expanded across utilities and civic infrastructure, the technology could play a key role in improving service reliability, strengthening grid resilience and supporting Delhi's broader smart city plans.