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November 20, 2013

Report: Large Scale Grid Integration of Renewable Energy Sources - Way Forward

 

Grid Integration of Renewable Energy Projects

A detailed report on the recommended methodology for the effective integration of Renewable Energy Projects with the Grid has been published by Central Electricity Authority.

 

Summary of the same is depicted below.

 

Renewable generation from wind and solar has increased substantially during past few years and forms a significance proportion of the total generation in the grid. This renewable generation is concentrated in a few states, to the extent that it cannot be called marginal generation and serious thought needs to be given to balance the variability of such generation. There is an ambitious programme for increase of such Renewable Generation and therefore, it is imperative to work out a way forward for facilitating large scale integration of such variable Renewable Energy Sources (RES), keeping in view the security of the grid.


Moreover, as we move towards a tighter frequency band, it becomes even more challenging to balance this variable RES.
Generation from RE Sources depends on nature, i.e. wind velocity and sunshine. The variability of RES power can be addressed through improved forecasting techniques, which are still evolving. When the percentage of RES becomes significant, special attention needs to be paid to accurately forecast their output.


India is a country of continental size and this is helpful in balancing the variable output of renewable energy sources located in few states by integrating them into all India grid. The inter state and inter regional transmission infrastructure is already being developed and it is expected that all the five electrical regions of India would be synchronously connected in 2014. However, new transmission corridors would be required for evacuating green energy from states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and J & K (Ladakh). It has now been recognised by the transmission planners that in view of the short gestation period of RE plants, the transmission has to lead generation and would require upfront investment. Such transmission corridors required in the next five year time span have already been firmed up through the established process of coordinated transmission planning and their implementation is being taken up progressively.


The Report has been prepared by CEA on the basis of detailed discussions and inputs furnished by Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

The summary of way forward as recommended in the report is presented below:

  • In order to deal with variability of renewable generation forecasts are crucial for resource adequacy during operation and grid security.
  • Each state should assess its balancing capacity and enter into RE purchase obligation accordingly. Based on the status of measures available with the state, they should assess their present capacity to balance the combined variability of load & RE generation
  • The respective buyer State of RE power shall be responsible for maintaining its load-generation balance taking into account the revised forecasts of their RE portfolios. In order to save time in revision of schedules, the SLDCs/RLDC/NLDC, as the case may be, would suo-motu revise the RE schedule of a state based on inputs from the host REMC/SLDC. In this manner the responsibility of RE balancing would be shared by all the RE purchasing states.
  • The present power exchange provides only one opportunity for buying and selling on day ahead basis. Real time markets (i.e the opportunity to buy and sell power about two hours ahead) should be started to provide a platform for selling surplus power or buying power when in deficit. 10 -15 % merchant capacity in generating plants as per the National Electricity Policy may be useful for providing liquidity in the electricity market.
  • Technical and regulatory measures to enhance the flexibility of conventional generation to increase the balancing capacity of the grid.
  • Establishment of Renewable Energy Management centers (REMC) equipped with advanced forecasting tools, smart dispatching solutions, real time monitoring of RE generation, closely coordinating with SLDC/RLDC should be provided.
  • Wind farms may also be set up through competitive bidding in order to reduce tariff.
  • It is necessary that healthiness of grid protection schemes through regular monitoring and updating is ensured.
  • International cooperation for developing REMCs in the RE rich states, balancing capabilities using indigenous sources of conventional power, optimum development of enabling transmission infrastructure and capacity building of grid operators has become necessary at this stage of RE development.

 

Complete report is embedded below:

 

The same can be downloaded from this link.

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