Bengaluru, May 16: The JSW Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Smart Grid and Automation was formally launched at MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT) Bengaluru, marking a significant step towards strengthening India’s power infrastructure for the renewable energy era.
The JSW-CoE has been jointly established by JSW Group, Sharika Enterprises and MSRIT to address one of the most pressing challenges in the power sector today-maintaining grid stability amid the rapid growth of renewable energy.
India has made remarkable progress in adding solar, wind and Battery Storage Systems (BeSS). However, renewable energy brings variability and uncertainty that traditional grid systems were not originally designed to handle. This has created a gap between renewable energy generation, grid stability and market participation. The JSW-CoE has been set up with a clear purpose to bridge this gap through advanced system modelling, automation, analytics and real-time simulation.
As per National smart grid mission under RDSS GOI has to establish several Centre of excellence in flexible power system across country to enhance capabilities in advanced power management practices to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability across our RE aggregation ecosystems. This Centre of Excellence in Power Systems reflects the commitment to strengthening the national grid infrastructure at a critical time. As renewable energy capacity grows, grid systems must become smarter, more stable and more market-ready. This initiative aims to support innovation, industry collaboration and the development of skilled professionals who can manage the complex power systems of the future.
The JSW-CoE operates on a unique Lab-as-a-Service model. JSW Group has funded the capital investment required to establish the advanced laboratory infrastructure. Sharika Enterprises has designed, set up and will manage the operations of the lab, drawing on its deep expertise in power automation, protection systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and international communication protocols such as IEC 61850 and IEC 60870. MSRIT hosts the JSW-CoE and provides the academic ecosystem to support research, certification and long-term skill development. The JSW-CoE has been structured as a non-profit entity, with a clear focus on capability building rather than commercial returns.
Mr. Rajinder Kaul, Chairman and Managing Director, Sharika Enterprises, said, “The power sector is undergoing a structural transformation. Utilities, renewable developers and system operators need access to real-world testing environments before deploying solutions in the field. This Centre has a capability to simulate a complete power system within a controlled lab environment, enabling stakeholders to simulate grid conditions, test automation solutions and prepare for market participation. Our goal is to build both technology readiness and human capability for the smart grids of tomorrow.”
The facility is designed to replicate generation, transmission and distribution systems in an integrated setup. It includes SCADA and dispatcher systems, renewable energy management platforms, PMU-based protection and wide-area monitoring and tools for real-time load flow studies, contingency analysis and energy market simulations. Industry players, startups, utilities and researchers can access the lab at a reasonable cost to test systems, validate solutions and prepare for deployment.
Convergence of academia and industry:
Beyond technology development, the Centre will focus strongly on skill building. Engineers of the future must understand power systems, communication protocols, real-time data management, automation, artificial intelligence and energy trading mechanisms. Through masters, certification courses and industry-linked projects, the JSW-CoE aims to create a pipeline of professionals equipped for India’s evolving power landscape.
Lauding the JSW-CoE, Dr. N V R Naidu, Principal, MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology, said, “The launch of the JSW-CoE at MSRIT represents a powerful convergence of academia and industry. As the power sector evolves with renewable integration and digital technologies, it is essential that our students and researchers gain hands-on exposure to real-world grid systems, automation platforms and advanced simulation environments. This collaboration will enable MSRIT to nurture the next generation of engineers who can contribute meaningfully to India’s smart grid and energy transition journey.”
The launch of the JSW-CoE positions Bengaluru as a growing hub for smart grid innovation and advanced power system research. By bringing together industry investment, academic strength and technical expertise, the initiative seeks to support India’s long-term power transition and ensure that renewable growth is matched by grid intelligence and market readiness.