It is indeed challenge to build such teams and that too from people who are relatively fresh from Engineering colleges.But it is very necssary to do this as none of the companies barring few have such people who could build, and maintain such installations and possibly design them. It is only the collaboration between Utility Engineers and external companies (equipment suppliers, consultants etc) which can produce the right result. A close collaboration across the links is necessary to see such projects thru . Hence it is being proposed to establish smart metering and smard grid labs in some 100 Engineering colleges in India. They will conduct the experiments on it and will understand the technology as well its usage in energy conservation and energy effeciency, grid reliability and automation/ energy management etc etc.At present it is not part of their degree course but it could be after some time. Engineers from Instrumantation/ Communication/ Electrical Engg will be trained in these labs.Eqipment will come from a major utility IT department and it is a developing program.It is not a substitute for regua training programme at the utility but add on and only an appreciation course.The program is likely to be started by end next week when decisions on first of six labs is to be taken