POWERGRID Initiative in

Renewable Energy Integration

Power is the most vital input for the growth of any economy. Therefore, it is considered
as a core industry that facilitates development across various sectors, such as
manufacturing, agriculture, commercial, education, railways etc. to achieve economic
growth. Energy needs of the country is growing at a very fast pace to meet high GDP
growth rate. Present peak electricity demand of the country is 148 GW which is
expected to grow to about 200 GW & 283 GW by the end of 2016-17 (12th plan) &
2021-22 (13th plan) respectively as envisaged in the 18th EPS report of CEA. To meet
growing demand and to reduce supply-demand gap, there is a need of large capacity
addition through conventional as well as from renewable energy sources.
Conventional thermal generation, primarily coal based, dominate the generation mix in
India. The carbon footprints from fossil fuel based generation is a global concern not
only due to climate change issues,
but also from the energy security
perspective. Energy requirement is
increasing steeply over time while the
fossil fuel reserves are fast depleting.
Thus, shifting attention to renewable
energy sources is not only a human
responsibility, but also a survival
necessity for future. India is endowed
with abundant renewable potential
Figure 1: Generation capacity mix as on
which presents an excellent solution
to meet the above. As on 28 Feb 2015, the installed renewable capacity is 34 GW
(13%) out of the total generation capacity of 263 GW. With unprecedented RE targets
by the GoI for coming years, POWERGRID is playing a central role in carrying out
system studies for grid integration of such large chunks of RE generation and identifying
the issues along with the required infrastructure, regulatory and control up gradation.
Renewable energy is characterized by intermittency, variability and uncertainty, which
presents various challenges in its grid integration for maintaining grid stability & security.
Augmentation of power evacuation infrastructure is required to keep pace with the fast
coming renewable generation pockets. At the same time, intensive planning and design
exercise is required to handle the volatility introduced into the system.
Considering envisaged renewable penetration level by 12th plan period (2016-17) and
need of identifying challenges & infrastructure requirements to facilitate RE grid
integration, POWERGRID surveyed the worldwide experience in renewable integration
and carried out comprehensive studies to prepare the report on Green Energy

Corridor (GEC). It covers transmission infrastructure requirement both at Intra state

and Inter-state level. This requires
placement
of
Dynamic
reactive
compensation
in
the
form
of
STATCOM/SVC at strategic locations to
provide dynamic voltage support. In
addition, the study evolves requirement of
other
control
infrastructure
like
establishment of Renewable Energy
Management Centres (REMC) equipped
with advanced forecasting tools, Real time
measurement/monitoring schemes through
WAMS applications, balancing mechanism
through energy storage and Demand Figure 2: Green energy Corridor ISTS Portion
Response or Demand Side Management
through Smart Grid.
REMCs shall be established at State and Regional level, co-located with respective
Load Dispatch Centres (LDC). The recommendations made in the Green Energy
Corridor are under different stages of implementation (Tender award done for some
packages while several packages in advanced stage of tendering). The Inter State
Transmission System identified in the report is being developed by POWERGRID,
which includes following EHV Substations along with the interconnecting lines.
Sl. No. Substation location Voltage Level
1.
Ajmer
765 / 400 kV
2.
Chittorgarh
765 / 400 kV
3.
Bikaner / Suratgarh
765 / 400 kV
3.
Bhuj Pool
765 / 400 / 220 kV
4.
Banas Kanta
765 / 400 / 220 kV
5.
Tirunelveli
400 / 230 kV
In addition, POWERGRID is also implementing Renewable Energy Management Centre
(REMC), Dynamic reactive compensation, large scale energy storage and Wide Area
Monitoring System (WAMS). In view of the low capacity utilization factor of renewable
and associated evacuation infrastructure, it was needed to rationalize transmission
charges. For this, an Innovative funding mechanism was devised with 40% grant from
NCEF, 40% soft loan (from KFW) and 20% state equity. Similarly 70% soft loan and
30% equity has been finalized for Interstate system.
Apart from evaluating the evacuation and enabling technologies for proposed RE
generation pockets, POWERGRID has taken initiatives to assess the potential for
renewable generation in unexplored regions. An assessment has been carried out for
renewable generation potential in the deserts of Thar, Rann of Kutch, Ladakh and Lahul
& Sipti and the findings have been compiled in the report Desert Power India -

2050. It is estimated that with just 5-15% desert wasteland utilization, about 315 GW
potential (primarily Solar) can be developed. A comprehensive plan to facilitate
generation and grid interconnection has been developed.
A study for Rooftop Solar PV in Delhi has been brought out as the Report on Green
Delhi where a total potential of 2272 MWp has been identified for residential,
commercial and metro rail premises.
POWERGRID has also taken initiatives to gain in-house experience in RE and enabling
technologies. With 50 kWp solar PV already functional at Manesar and 15 kWp at
Corporate Centre, another 50 kWp system is being developed at Manesar as a part of
POWERGRIDs endeavors towards RE development. The scheme for Net-metering has
already been implemented at Puducherry Smart Grid Pilot project for RE integration at
distribution level. Also a pilot project on three different technologies of battery energy
storage systems of 500kW, 250kWh each is being carried out by POWERGRID at
Puducherry, in order to be prepared for the technical intricacies of battery based
balancing mechanisms. As an effort for promoting awareness towards green energy,
distribution of solar based products (Bag, cap, torch & lantern) on no-profit basis is done
at the Gurgaon Corporate Office.
Government of India has an ambitious plan to establish 100 GW Solar and 65 GW Wind
generation in next five years. Solar capacity targets of 100 GW by 2021-22 include
setting up of 25 solar parks (around 20,000 MW).
Balance Solar capacity comprises 40,000 MW Roof top
Solar PV and 40,000 MW through distributed solar
generation. After further planning, 22,000MW solar
capacity addition through ultra-mega solar power parks
is envisaged in twelve (12) states (Gujarat, M.P.,
Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, U.P.,
Meghalaya, J & K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu).
Towards above, power evacuation arrangement &
Figure 3: GoI approved 25 Dynamic reactive compensation requirements as part
Solar
parks
each
with of ISTS network has been evolved in Green Energy
=>500
MW
capacity
Corridors Phase-II by POWERGRID. The ISTS network development for seven states
for GEC-II has already been taken up by POWERGRID.
The efforts that have been put in by POWERGRID have resulted in development of the
techno - managerial competencies, required to convert the plans for vast RE harnessing
in the nation into the actual energy that would soon reach our citizens at affordable
prices. Thanks to the proficient studies carried out in preparation of the comprehensive
RE generation and interconnection reports, that transmission infrastructure and
enabling technologies would present themselves to the nation for timely evacuation of
power from the fast upcoming renewables.