Digitizing operations for enhancing India’s energy efficiency trajectory 

Redefined CIO role  
The waves of digitization and technological innovation have greatly transformed the CIO’s role. CIOs today, are increasingly concerned with enabling revenue growth and spearheading digital transformation efforts for their organizations. They are expected to guide corporate boards on how to leverage IT strategically to gain competitive advantage. CIOs are increasingly realigning their activities with their organisation’s business objectives. Data driven insights coupled with expertise in how IT can effectively support the company by leveraging emerging technologies in an innovative manner can address business problems. Hence, it is crucial for CIOs to be well- equipped with data- driven tools which also enable a C- level executive to take correct and timely decisions.

Innovations & ROI
The key to EESL’s success is the ERP system and comprehensive unified portal for all the business schemes which has increased operational efficiency and provided a common, standardized platform to run our business. We have made accessible the digital platforms and interfaces to all stakeholders to maintain a steady flow of communication. For instance: under the government’s Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), a Central Control and Monitoring System (CCMS) ensures that urban local bodies, municipalities and public-sector utilities have ease of maintenance in taking care of the LED street lights. The lights can be controlled remotely depending on requirements, preventing electricity wastage. As they are linked to an Internet-of-Things (IoT) interface, they can also be monitored remotely, reducing downtime for repair and maintenance. Such digital real-time vigilance will also be achieved by the millions of smart meters that are scheduled for installation, ensuring that utilities and consumers directly receive usage information. Automation of complaint redressal system (CCMS) of LED streetlights at state level has greatly boosted customer satisfaction.  Similarly, the Government of India’s domestic efficient lighting scheme – UJALA (UnnatJyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) has adopted IT as an enabler. Linked to sensors and geo-tagging, the UJALA dashboard enables people to see the purchase of energy-efficient LED bulbs, and corresponding savings in energy and carbon costs in real time.   

Key Priorities
Our priority is building capabilities to support consumer engagements. In line with its rapid growth, EESL is increasingly focused on implementing transactions digitally to foster an enabling ecosystem for all stakeholders. Also, use of Business analytics for decision support system, Business continuity support and various methodologies are on our priority list. 

“IT is an essential component for EESL’s business to enable more for its stakeholders. By digitizing monitoring, operations, grievance and tracking for our core operations, we have ensured that timely information can address business and operational problems. IoT today plays powerful role across many of our projects. We are also exploring cutting-edge technologies like Blockchain, AI, drones, Big Data, social responsibility, and collaboration to empower our business in the near future.”