POWERGRID Initiative in Renewable Energy IntegrationPower 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 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.Figure 1: Generation capacity mix as on 28/02/15

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 Response or Demand Side Management through Smart Grid. Figure 2: Green energy Corridor ISTS Portion

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 locationVoltage Level

1.Ajmer765 / 400 kV

2.Chittorgarh765 / 400 kV

3.Bikaner / Suratgarh765 / 400 kV

3.Bhuj Pool765 / 400 / 220 kV

4.Banas Kanta765 / 400 / 220 kV

5.Tirunelveli400 / 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 & Dynamic reactive compensation requirements as part of ISTS network has been evolved in Green Energy Corridors Phase-II by POWERGRID. The ISTS network development for seven states for GEC-II has already been taken up by POWERGRID.Figure 3: GoI approved 25 Solar parks each with =>500 MW capacity

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.