An update on how grid-scale battery storage is now arriving in India
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India's first grid connected storage arriving
- A new company's big vision: A firm called Converge Energy Solutions Services Ltd (CESL), launched by state-owned EESL, will launch the country’s first grid scale battery storage programme. The company has done projects in electric mobility and LEDs in rural areas, and will expand in solar-agri solutions, electric public transport and charging infrastructure. CESL was formed as a subsidiary of EESL in November 2020 to push solarisation and electric mobility schemes and launch new programs for the same.
- Operational logic: The firm claims that its battery storage plans will be grid-scale. The idea is that whenever there would be a dip in demand, battery storage companies should be available to switch on and provide power in five seconds. The battery storage can be a standby service against monthly rental. The company claims its grid scale battery programme will have a multi-pronged approach. It will not only provide a supplementary energy source but also lead to capex savings for discoms.
- Problems in existing grid: A lot of transformers are overloaded, and need upgradation. But as Discoms are in financial trouble and unable to take up reforms, so a battery system will create a headroom and delay the investment by discoms into upgradation. A government policy “demand side management – Capex deferral” already existed for a project such as this. So Discoms can install battery systems and defer their capex in system upgrade.
- Each discom has different needs — some would need to manage the evening peak, some for balancing power, some need capex deferral, some don’t mind reducing their high peak power cost.
- This same battery unit will be able to fulfil several needs. It can be used for electric vehicle charging. That would be another source of revenue.
- Public transport EV: Another programme that the company is looking to launch is in electric mobility in public transport. It will start with a grand challenge for cities to participate to get subsidy for running electric buses. The subsidy amount would come from the FAME-II scheme for EVs.
- Cities will need to submit details for a standardised bus depot with charging facility, minimum number of kilometres to run and payments security in terms of a six-month escrow. A standard depot is a must.
- For a 12-meter bus, the subsidy amount is Rs 55 lakh and for 9-meter bus it is Rs 45 lakh.
- Kolkata is among the first cities to show interest in the preliminary stages.
- About EESL: It is a joint venture of four public sector utilities under the Ministry of Power — NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation Limited, REC Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India. It is India’s first Energy Service Company (ESCO), which enables consumers, industries and governments to effectively manage their energy needs through energy efficient technologies.
- Knowledge centre:
- Electric grid - A power grid is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from producers to consumers. The grid has four major components: electricity generators, transmission lines, distribution networks, and consumer use. Typically, electricity is transmitted at a very high voltage over the power lines that dot the countryside. The higher the voltage, the less current needed for the same amount of power, and thus less loss of electricity.
- Plugging renewable into the grid - Grid integration is the practice of power system planning, interconnection, and operation that enables efficient and cost-effective use of renewable energy while maintaining the stability and reliability of electricity delivery. A grid-connected system allows you to power your home or small business with renewable energy during those periods (daily as well as seasonally) when the sun is shining, the water is running, or the wind is blowing. Any excess electricity you produce is fed back into the grid.
- Grid battery storage - A battery energy storage system (BESS) is an electrochemical device that charges (or collects energy) from the grid or a power plant and then discharges that energy at a later time to provide electricity or other grid services when needed. A challenge of renewable energy is the more you put on the grid, the more the value declines. Storage helps deal with that by soaking up excess energy that would have been lost in the middle of the day, when electricity demand is lower, and moving it to a time when it is more valuable.
- EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) What is the idea behind renewable integration in a power grid? Explain. (2) Explain how a power grid can collapse. (3) Is renewable energy creation the final solution of all power problems?
#RenewableEnergy #PowerGrid #EnergyStorage #EESL #RE
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