Kerala, Tamil Nadu unable to buy power from National Grid...

 

India's southern states are unable to buy power from the rest of the country although a new grid has been put in place since January 1.

Kerala and Tamil Nadu have not been able to buy power from the exchanges over the past one month, a senior official of Indian Exchange said, adding that prices have risen substantially in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka due to inadequate supply from the local plants.

"Although the national grid now connects the entire country, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have not been able to source any power because this new grid is wheeling only about 300-400 mw a day and power trading has not been allowed on the grid yet," the official said, requesting anonymity.

Kerala, Tamil Nadu unable to buy power from National Grid

While there is no generating station with excess power in these two states, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have been receiving some supply from the local plants, he said. However, this supply is not adequate.

As a result, power prices in these two states have risen sharply to 5 per unit from 3 per unit over the past one month, he added. At the same time, there are a number of thermal power stations with idle capacity in north and east India.These plants cannot be fired up as the new grid is not stable enough to supply excess power to the southern states from the rest of the country, officials said.

Until last month, the southern grid was a standalone power distribution system which could not draw adequate power from the rest of the country. Producers such as NTPC, on the other hand, were saddled with idle capacity because they could not route power from their plants due to lack of a transmission system linking southern India. Power prices have, therefore, remained high in the southern states, officials said, adding that the new grid is yet to change the scenario.

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NHPC to set up 82 MW wind farm in Kerala...

 

As part of its diversification programme, the National Hydropower Corporation Ltd (NHPC) Monday inked a deal with the Kerala government to set up an 82 MW wind farm in the state’s Palakkad district.

“We have identified 500 acres of land in Palakkad district for which the survey also has been completed. They (NHPC) have said that in two years time, the project will become operational,” state Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed told reporters after receiving the documents of the deal signed between the NHPC and the Kerala State Electricity Board here.

Currently, the cost for generating one MW of wind energy is estimated to cost around Rs.6 crore and the total project cost of this new wind farm will come to around Rs.500 crore, he said.

“This is being set up under the Built, Operate, Own and Transfer programme and the entire project cost would be brought in by the NHPC and the KSEB will buy the power from them, at a cost to be determined then,” said Mohammed.

He also pointed out that some of the land that will be used for setting up this wind farm belongs to the tribal community and adequate income would be shared with the tribal community.

“We propose to share around five percent of the revenue with the tribal community besides giving full ownership rights to their land,” added Mohammed.

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The Kochi Corporation moots biogas plants for local schools...

 

The Kochi corporation will distribute portable biogas plants to 35 government schools within its limits. In the initial phase, the plant, which costs about Rs 13,000 each, will be installed only in government schools. This will be later extended to aided schools.

Chairman of the education standing committee R Thyagarajan said, "The project will be launched soon. The expenses will be met by the government's annual plan fund. While the government provides a subsidy of 50%, the corporation will give 25% as subsidy. The schools will have to bear the rest of the cost."

The chairman said the biogas generated from organic waste can be utilized for 90 minutes daily by the kitchen. "We have already equipped government schools with smart classrooms, laboratory facilities and distributed benches and desks. The new project is aimed at managing waste in schools, especially those which have the midday meal scheme," he added.

Saraswathy M E, headmistress of the Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Ernakulam, said, "We have to serve midday meals to 600 students daily. We have been finding it difficult to treat waste generated from it. So the plant will be of great use for us."

"The corporation has informed us about the plan to install biogas plants in schools. Though we installed a biogas plant in 2007, it stopped functioning in 2010. Currently, the organic waste generated in our school is sourced by the agriculture department," said Telma Mendes, principal, Government Higher Secondary School, Elamakkara.

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Kerala must plan switchover to 100% renewable energy: Report

 

Kerala must plan for a transition to 100 per cent renewable energy for sustainable development and energy security.

The State has meagre fossil fuel resources and most of the hydro potential is already harnessed, says G.M. Pillai, Founder Director-General of Pune-based World Institute of Sustainable Energy.

REPORT RELEASED

He was here to attend a function to officially release ‘The Energy Report-Kerala’ brought out by the Institute in partnership with WWF-India.

The report maps energy requirements up to 2050 in order to assess the feasibility of meeting 100 per cent of the energy demand through renewable resources.

Emissions from coal or gas-based power projects may adversely affect both the forests and the fragile marine ecosystems and could also pose a public health hazard.

Given such constraints, the State faces a threat to its energy security, Pillai said. On the other hand, most renewable energy technologies have low environmental impacts.

The Energy Report assesses that the State has a potential for 60,000 MW in renewable energy across multiple sources.

ALTERNATE ENERGY

If only the State manages to convert at least 20 per cent, it could rest assured of what Pillai described as orderly development and sustainable future.

Alternate energy is a misnomer, according to him. What we would like to call as ‘alternate’ will turn out to be the ‘only’ choice, going forward.

It has been acknowledged that changeover from an existing regime of energy consumption to the next happens in cycles of 30 years.

This is why the report looked at the likely scenario emerging in 2050, Pillai explained. “We need to start planning right now,” he said.

According to the Report, the largest potential among individual sources of renewable energy is in rooftop photovoltaic in which Kerala has announced major initiatives.

Rooftop PV (domestic, or flats and individual dwelling units) has a potential of 13,079 MW and rooftop PV (institutional, or offices and public institutions) has 18,066 MW.

The next big source is offshore wind (13,447 MW), but this has not been tried out in the country; it is capital-intensive and therefore generates costly power.

But it is a major resource in Europe, with the UK and Denmark topping the list in terms of generation.

The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has appreciated the prospects in India and is expected to come out with a policy on offshore wind energy by March, Pillai said.

Grid-tied solar PV over wasteland (4,273 MW) and grassland (2,543 MW), too, are dependable resources. Floating PV panels (in rivers, reservoirs: 3,845 MW) are another.

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ANERT to set up 2-MW solar farm in Palakkad...

 

Kerala’s first solar farm on the Mega Watt scale is expected to become operational at Kuzhalmandam in Palakkad district by March next year. The Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) will implement the project estimated to cost Rs.16 crore.

Utilising crystalline silicon technology, the grid-fed solar power plant of 2 MW capacity will come up on 12 acres of land. Designed in-house by ANERT, it features flat plate collectors and intelligent inverters. Once commissioned, the farm will feed 30 lakh units of power to the grid every year.

Officials said the project was designed to assist in research and development of grid-interactive power plants. The farm would be established as a turnkey project.

DPR released

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy released the detailed project report (DPR) of the solar farm during the inauguration of the new headquarters building of ANERT here on Wednesday.

He said the availability of quality power was a critical element in Kerala’s development.

He said the power situation in the State warranted a focus on non-conventional energy sources and energy conservation.

Mr. Chandy said mini-hydel projects and solar power offered clean and eco-friendly means of power generation ideal for a State like Kerala.

Solution to power crisis

Delivering the presidential address, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed said non-conventional energy sources were the obvious solution to the power crisis faced by the State.

“With no further scope for additional generation through conventional means, the State will have to make maximum use of wind and solar power to bridge the widening gap between demand and supply.”

Pointing out that 5,000 houses across the State had been provided with subsidized rooftop solar panels generating a total of 5 MW, he stressed the need to popularise the initiative. Mr. Mohammed stressed the need to equip government buildings with green features to save energy.

Saving energy

Highlighting the need for energy conservation, he directed the officials at the open-air venue to switch off the lights that were kept on in broad daylight.

With a built-up area of 25,000 sq ft., the new headquarters complex of ANERT is built on the Green Building concept. It will feature a roof top solar power plant of 15 kW capacity, solar-wind hybrid system, biogas plants, and solar water heaters.

K. Muraleedharan, MLA, Additional Chief Secretary Niveditha P. Haran, and ANERT director M. Jayaraju were among those who spoke.

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Kerala coir pith to fuel 10 MW power plant...

 

A path-breaking initiative by the Kochi-headquartered Coir Board has proved that electricity can be generated from the spongy coir pith.

The successful experiment by the Coir Board's research and development wing has prompted the organisation to set up a 10 MW power generation project in Thiruvananthapuram district - a first in the country.

Till now, coir pith was considered waste and used for nothing more than filling low-lying lands.

"We are in talks with a Mumbai-based firm to set up a 10 MW plant that would produce power using coir pith," G. Balachandran, chairman of the Coir Board, said Sunday.

The proposed unit will be set up with an estimated investment of Rs.50 crore, he added. Power will be generated after removing moisture from the coir pith.

"The Mumbai firm has got patent rights for the special drier," said Balachandran.

For continuous availability of raw material for the power unit, the Coir Board is launching a Kerala-level programme to guarantee scientific procurement of coconut husk.

Currently, only 30 per cent of the husk is being converted into coir.

"Tractors of the Coir Board will take rounds of houses and farms that grow coconut trees and collect the husk," said Balachandran.

Kerala depends heavily on Tamil Nadu for coir industry husks.

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Kerala Solar Policy 2013 - Solar projects can use tribal land in the state...

 

The Kerala Solar Energy Policy, approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday, envisages use of tribal land for solar power projects.

The policy proposes a revenue (not profit) sharing mechanism for the landowner besides lease rentals for the land. The willingness of the landowner is mandatory.

(The policy proposals on solar installations on tribal land assume significance in view of controversy over dispossession of the land belonging to tribals in Attappady and installation of wind power units.)

The policy says that the land ownership rights shall continue to fully vest with the original owner (tribal). The developer shall have only rights to set up and operate the project. The landowner will have the right to use land for agricultural purpose. Revenue sharing based on the power generated, possibly in the range not below 5 per cent, is envisaged.

The payment of share of revenue, it adds, shall be made directly to the bank account of the landowner. For this purpose, a tripartite agreement has to be entered into among the developer, landowner, and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Only lands which do not have an immediate productive use shall be thus identified or permitted.

Developer’s role

It says that the prime responsibility for identifying land for renewable energy shall be with the developer. The government shall endeavour to assess clearly the land suitable for the development of solar installations in the possession of either the government or the private party or tribal individuals.

The policy proposes that the KSEB shall create evacuation facility beyond the pooling station for the projects with a capacity of less than or equal to 10 MW. For higher capacity plants, the KSEB shall construct evacuation facility on deposit work basis.

There shall be no open access charges for solar projects for wheeling power within the State. Wheeling and transmission and distribution losses will not be applicable for the captive solar generators within the State. The energy generated shall be fully exempted from electricity duty.

The Agency for Non-Convention Energy and Rural Technology (Anert) will be the nodal agency for non-conventional energy.

Administration of the policy will be entrusted with a State-level empowered committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary or the Principal Secretary in charge of power.

The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission will notify the normative feed-in-tariff of solar power procurement by the KSEB in case of off-site commercial installations.

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Kerala Solar Policy 2013 intends to introduce generation based incentives instead of capital subsidy...

 

The Kerala Solar Energy Policy 2013, which seeks to increase the state’s installed solar power capacity to 500 MW in 2017 and 1500 MW by 2030, intends to make solar water heating system (SWHS) mandatory in industrial buildings, government and private hospitals, resorts and hotels.

The policy, unveiled on Wednesday, speaks of generation-based subsidy instead of the usual capital subsidies for off-grid solar projects. “Generation-based incentives will ensure that the systems are installed, maintained and continue to remain functional,” the Policy states. “The existing capital subsidies will be restructured appropriately,” it adds.

The Policy also identifies the entry of “unscrupulous elements” into the field of solar power as one of the reasons for the low popularity of solar power in the state.

As for grid-connected systems, the policy states that the government will initiate a programme under which all public buildings are provided with generation facilities using appropriate technology options.

“As the load cycle of the government offices match with that of the solar plants, they are fitting cases of solar application,” the policy states. The engineering procurement and construction (EPC) mode of implementation will be replaced by a design-build-operate-and-transfer scheme.

The policy states that grid-connected systems will be promoted for domestic consumers in a phased manner. “This will be one after formulating grid connection standards for low tension (LT) distribution in line with this policy,” it states.

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Kerala Cabinet okays Solar Energy Policy...

 

The Kerala Cabinet has approved a Solar Energy Policy that seeks to raise installed capacity of the solar sector to 500 MW by 2017 and 1,500 MW by 2030. The mission is to contribute to long-term energy security of the State well as ecological security by reduction in carbon emissions.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told newspersons here that the draft policy had been posted on the website of the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology.

Comments received from stakeholders, including the general public, have been incorporated to the final document.

Land suitable for development of solar installations in the possession of either Government or private individuals will be identified, as per the original draft.

Such identified lands shall be offered to developers for grid connected solar installations.

Lease rentals fixed by revenue department shall be payable to the land owner. Only lands which do not have an immediate productive use shall be thus identified.

FEED-IN TARIFF

In the case of offsite commercial installations, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission will notify the normative feed-in tariff of solar power for procurement by State power utility.

Feed-in tariff refers to payments made out to ordinary energy users for renewable electricity generated by them.

Net metering shall be applicable for all agencies that consume grid power and have installed solar installations with some form of Government subsidy.

Special feed-in tariff will be made applicable for consumers with monthly consumption of 30 units and below.

For off grid systems, the policy seeks to ensure bank finance at attractive rates and provide generation-based incentives. Existing capital subsidies shall be restructured appropriately.

GENERATION FACILITIES

For grid connected systems, the Government would initiate a programme by which all public buildings are provided with generation facilities using appropriate technology options.

The policy urges all concerned to make use of the rooftop and premises to install solar plants to match maximum demand within a period of two years.

Grid connected systems will be promoted for domestic consumers in a phased manner after formulating grid connection standards for LT distribution.

In this regard cluster-wise installations will be given suitable incentives on a conditional basis for adopting solar installations.

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Bids for Small hydro power scheme in Kerala to be announced by month-end...

 

Successful bids for the ambitious BOOT-basis small hydel project (SHEP) scheme promoted by the Energy Management Centre, Kerala, (EMC), will be announced by this month-end.

The bids are to be opened on November 26, as per a revised schedule.

According to the new deadline, proposals can be submitted up to November 25, EMC officials said. EMC had set November 15 as the cut-off date for placing proposals and November 16 for opening the bids.

The deadlines have been extended by 10 days on the request of bidders, EMC director K M Dhareshan Unnithan said.

“We have received around 35 bids so far for 62 SHEPs available under the scheme. The biggest SHEP in the list is a 21-MW one,” he said. Successful bidders can build, own, operate and then transfer (BOOT) the project after the stipulated period. SHEPs - hydel projects up to 25 MW are listed in this class - assume significance against the backdrop of the unofficial ‘ban’ on big hydel projects in the state due to environmental concerns.

Owing to green worries, several of the hydel projects now under development by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) also are SHEPs.

In fact, the 62 projects now available were originally pinpointed by KSEB for development.

“There is a huge potential for panchayats to step into the SHEP sector. They can develop such schemes locally on a cost-sharing basis with the government and interested groups in their locality,” Dhareshan Unnithan said.

The recently published Kerala Perspective Plan 2030 of the State Planning Board also underscores the need for such schemes at the gram panchayat level to supplement the KSEB-centred supply of electricity in the state.

Majority of the SHEPs in the EMC’s BOOT scheme are run-of-the-river projects and are located in Idukki, Ernakulam and the districts further north.

The total capacity of the schemes on offer comes to around 160 MW.

It is estimated that Kerala has a small hydro potential of 700 MW.

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Kerala State Electricity Board plea to regulator...

 

The Kerala State Electricity Board has sought a review of drastic cuts in its expenses on generation of power, purchase of power, and general administration.

The request was contained in an appeal to the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The appeal noted while the Board had projected a revenue gap of Rs 2,758.67 crore in commercial operations in the year 2013-14, the commission had calculated it only to be Rs 1,049.91 crore.

The Commission has meanwhile posted a public hearing on this petition at its office on Tuesday.

The Board also sought a review of the order in which it was allowed a spending of Rs 1,803.81 crore on salaries and pensions against the requirement of Rs 2,551.50 crore for 2013-14.

The sum approved had fallen short by 29.30 per cent, the Board pointed out in the appeal.

 

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Tamil Nadu to get additional 100 MW power from Kundankulam Nuclear Power Project...

 

As said by the Power Minister, Tamil Nadu will get additional 100 MW electricity from unit 1 of the Kundankulam Nuclear Power plant once the operations will start.

According to the initial agreement, Tamil Nadu would get 462.5MW from the first unit which attained criticality last month.

Now the total power from the unit to Tamil Nadu will be 562.5MW.

The state will get a total of 1,025MW of power against 962MW allocated earlier when the second unit is commissioned in March 2014.

The revised allocation from the total 1000 MW capacity of Unit 1 is:

• Tamil Nadu - 562.5MW
• Karnataka - 221MW
• Kerala -133MW
• Puducherry -  33.5 MW
• Unallocated - 50MW

According to sources, the Unit 1 of Kundankulam project is like start operation by the end of the current month.

 

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More literature on this...

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-08/chennai/41200577_1_entire-power-kudankulam-nuclear-power-plant-first-unit

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