Renewables Connected to the Grid
Introduction
The 2015 Paris Agreement marked a turning point in the global effort to address climate change, with 196 countries committing to limit global warming to 1.5°C by aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. Achieving carbon neutrality involves balancing emissions through natural carbon sinks—forests, soil, and oceans—and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions at their source by transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and adopting low-carbon technologies. This energy transition focuses on moving from high-emission fossil fuels to cleaner, sustainable energy sources.
India’s proactive stance on energy transition has made it a global leader, with over 43% of its total installed capacity now coming from renewables, surpassing 200 GW from non-fossil sources. This impressive figure comprises diverse sources such as solar (85.47 GW), large hydro (46.93 GW), wind (46.66 GW), bio-power (10.95 GW), small hydro (5.00 GW), and waste-to-energy (0.60 GW). The commitment was further bolstered during the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi, where India pledged to triple renewable energy capacity, setting a global example for clean energy development.
Key Initiatives Driving India’s Energy Transition
India has launched a series of initiatives that align with global climate goals and address the growing demand for clean energy. Here’s a comprehensive look at these initiatives:
- National Solar Mission (2010): Aimed at positioning India as a solar energy leader, this mission encourages widespread adoption of solar technology through supportive policies and frameworks.
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (2013): Aims to reduce transportation emissions by promoting electric and hybrid vehicles, advancing India’s goal of sustainable urban mobility.
- Green Energy Corridor Project: Supported by the World Bank, this project is building a national transmission network to integrate renewable sources, ensuring they are connected and stable within India’s energy grid.
- National Biofuel Policy (2018): Promotes biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel as eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels, particularly in the transport sector, enhancing energy security and sustainability.
- Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO): Mandates that distribution companies source a specified percentage of their energy from renewables, thus increasing demand and promoting investment in clean energy.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023): Positions India as a production and export hub for green hydrogen, leveraging its potential as a low-emission energy source for industrial and transportation sectors.
- Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules (2023): Establishes guidelines for offshore wind power development, extending up to 200 nautical miles from India’s coastline, enabling India to tap into its vast offshore wind potential.
- Dam Safety Bill (2019): Recognises large hydropower projects as renewable energy sources, ensuring they contribute effectively to India’s energy transition.
- Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) Norms: The Ministry of Environment mandates FGD technology to control sulphur dioxide emissions from thermal power plants, alongside nitrogen oxide control technologies like Selective Catalytic Reduction.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Permits 100% FDI in renewable energy projects via the automatic route, encouraging global capital flow into India’s clean energy sector.
- Solar Parks Scheme: Facilitates large-scale solar power projects by providing necessary infrastructure and securing clearances, helping India meet its ambitious solar capacity targets.
- State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index (SARAL): Encourages rooftop solar adoption to ensure a sustainable, 24×7 power supply. It targets 40 GW of rooftop solar installations, reducing grid dependence.
- PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Targets the installation of rooftop solar plants in 10 million households, with a total investment of ₹75,021 crore, aiming for completion by FY27.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme: Offers financial incentives to farmers for solar pump installation and solar energy production, supporting rural energy independence and sustainability.
Challenges in Integrating Renewables to the Grid
Electricity from the grid can be used to power individual buildings, remote areas, or connected to the grid, depending on the generation scale. Solar and wind power are variable and intermittent, creating challenges for grid stability. To manage this, energy storage systems (ESS) can store excess power during peak generation and release it during demand surges. Energy storage systems provide assurance to store energy generated by solar and wind that can be used for peak shaving, renewables capacity firming, frequency and voltage regulation or black start facility.
The current grid infrastructure, designed with specific parameters for frequency and short-circuit current, requires significant adaptation to incorporate renewables. Conventional grids rely on the inertia provided by thermal and hydro generators to stabilise the system during disturbances. Protection systems are deployed to detect and isolate the fault and prevent the total collapse of the grid. The governor controls, and automatic voltage regulators provide the grid stabilising parameters. With increased renewable penetration, Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) like Static VAR Compensators (SVC) and Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOM) are essential for balancing reactive power and voltage. Grid-tie inverters further help renewables meet grid stability requirements, including frequency and voltage regulation. Solar or wind power coupled with battery energy storage and power conditioning systems can provide a reliable, stable, and good quality power source to the existing grid. The power conditioning system also initiates the isolation of solar or wind power plants from the grid in case of a major disturbance in the grid and operates the plant in islanded mode.
Adopting AI and Machine Learning in Load Management
Integrating diverse energy sources, from thermal to nuclear, has created complex load management demands. AI and Machine Learning (ML) are increasingly valuable for predicting power requirements, enabling dynamic allocation of renewables and thermal power to meet demand efficiently and sustainably. With the use of appropriate AI models or a combination of models, the problem can be solved with greater efficiency and accuracy. With sophisticated ML models, these technologies also improve load forecasting accuracy, enhancing the power grid’s reliability, security, and stability.
TCE’s Commitment to Sustainable Energy Solutions
Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) has been instrumental in driving renewable energy adoption through its involvement in various projects encompassing solar, wind, hydro, nuclear, EV solutions, green building designs, and waste-to-energy initiatives. TCE’s recent work on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) highlights its expertise. In this project, TCE integrated hybrid renewable energy sources with BESS to ensure continuous power supply to the end-user, showcasing its commitment to reliable, sustainable energy solutions.
Conclusion
India’s proactive policies and initiatives in renewable energy reflect a firm commitment to a sustainable future, with global cooperation reinforcing the importance of a coordinated energy transition. As the world continues to shift towards clean energy, initiatives like these pave the way for a resilient and efficient power system. By advancing technology, investing in grid innovation, and enhancing policy frameworks, India sets an example in achieving carbon neutrality and ensuring energy security for the future.
References:
https://www.power-technology.com/projects/pavagada-solar-park-karnataka/?cf-view
