Between 2015 and 2021, India's Renewable Energy (RE) capacity more than doubled from 40 GW to 100 GW, supplying nearly 10% of the total electricity generated in the fiscal year 2021. India has set a target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. With increasing RE penetration, it is important to analyse optimal flexibility requirements to ensure grid stability and reliability. Considering this context, Idam Infra, in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), has conducted a study to analyse the Least Cost Pathway for Power Sector Investments for four states, namely Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan
Using PLEXOS, an industry-leading energy modelling software, we have analysed the optimal fuel mix for the four states and identified optimal, least-cost pathways for meeting the 2030 requirements. Our studies find that these four states can meet ~36% or 181 GW of India's non-fossil fuel commitment of 500 GWs by 2030. Furthermore, no new thermal capacity addition may be necessary. Adequate storage (pump storage and/or battery) and other flexible resources like load shift will help maintain grid stability and reliability even during high-stress periods.
The reports for the four states are as follows:
The coffee table booklet on Offshore Wind (OSW) Developments in Tamil Nadu, India, offers an overview of the Indian OSW sector with a focus on the state of Tamil Nadu.
The report draws attention to the OSW potential of the coast of Tamil Nadu and the steps taken to facilitate its development by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
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The Government of India's Renewable Energy target of 175 gigawatts (GW) has led to an unprecedented capacity addition in recent years. In the case of wind energy, the Government has not only set a target of 60 GW but has also initiated competitive bidding resulting in a significant decrease in the cost of energy. Owing to this initiative, India has successfully achieved 71 GW of Renewable Energy capacity as of 30th June 2018. For the effective utilisation of wind resources, it is necessary to utilise wind potential at these sites. Thus, the replacement of old wind turbines or 'repowering' assumes importance.
To that effect, we have launched a study report on 'Repowering of Old Wind Turbines in India' at the Indo-German Energy Day event held on 18 September at Renewable Energy Expo 2018, India Expo Mart, Greater Noida. This study event was funded by the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF).
For more information, please visit:
https://idaminfra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Repowering-of-Old-Wind-Turbines-in-India.pdf
Newsletter 1 covers:
To gain further insight about Newsletter 1, please visit: iDEEKSHA Portal - Newsletter 1
Newsletter 2 covers:
To gain further insight about Newsletter 1, please visit: iDEEKSHA Portal - Newsletter 2
The role of Distribution Utilities in promoting and harnessing rooftop solar potential cannot be underestimated. However, there has been slow progress in India on this count, particularly in the deployment of residential rooftops by State utilities.
In this context, Idam Infra, in association with KPMG Advisory Services Private Limited has developed two knowledge products as a part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported Technical Assistance (TA) programme namely, (a) Guidebook for Demand Aggregation (b) Guidebook for Utility Led Business Models for facilitating Solar Rooftop Investments in India. These guidebooks show how India plans to meet its ambitious Rooftop Solar energy targets and why identifying new business models, better engaging utilities, and developing new market mechanisms will speed up its adoption.
The ADB TA Footprints provides highlights and updates on the key interventions of the ADB TA Programme, undertaken with support from the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. This programme was implemented by Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), India, and Idam Infra, in association with First Green Consulting Pvt. Ltd. The purpose of this initiative was to ensure the continuity of communication with all stakeholders and beneficiaries of TA.
To gain further insight about Newsletter 1, please visit: ADB TA Footprints
ADB's Technical Assistance (TA) Programme is an initiative taken under the able guidance of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) that aims to remove identified barriers to large-scale adoption of Rooftop Solar (RTS) by enhancing the institutional capacity of DISCOMs and other RTS stakeholders. This programme is currently being implemented in India in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the union territories of Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
For more information about Newsletter 2, Newsletter 3, and Newsletter 4, please visit:
Idam Infra, with support from Prayas (Energy Group) and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation has authored a report on 'Transmission Reform Agenda and Action Plan for India'.
An excerpt from the report:
The transmission business is a natural monopoly and must be regulated to ensure fair access and fair prices for its users. Its regulation is necessary also to facilitate the efficiency and reliability of its operations and to encourage favourable investments. A strong and robust transmission system is the key to reducing the overall cost of power and enhancing the system's reliability. This assumes even more importance in light of the inevitable transition to integrating Renewable Energy on a larger scale. Along with a strong regulatory oversight, effective planning, pricing and participation models will be the key elements of the transmission sector reforms.
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Climate Parliament engaged Idam Infra to develop an Expert Report that would study the 'Policy, Regulatory and Financial Initiatives to Augment Renewable Energy Deployment in India'. The members of Parliament from a wide spectrum of political parties submitted this Expert Report to the Prime Minister of India.
This report comprehensively and critically analyses the existing policies, schemes, and rationale for the Renewable Energy sector in the country and has a chronological plan for short, medium and long term to implement its recommendations. A few of its recommendations to the government include setting up a National Clean Energy Access mission, enforcing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) at the state level through amendments in the National Electricity policy, offering incentives to the states for increasing Renewable Energy purchasing obligations and compliance, and the mobilization of low-cost funds for Renewable Energy projects.
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In order to examine the use cases of energy storage and study the impact of the penetration of Electric Vehicles while suggesting an appropriate regulatory framework for both Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Electric Vehicles (EV), the Forum of Regulators (FOR) constituted a Working Group (WG). Idam Infra assisted this Working Group, under the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) program undertaken by United States Agency for International Development's (USAID), in submitting its report to FOR which was subsequently endorsed by the Forum. This report discusses the enabling legal and regulatory framework for Energy Storage Systems and the key issues involved in the development of the charging infrastructure for a large-scale deployment of EVs.
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With the objective of framing guidelines for the management of Renewable Energy (RE) Curtailment for Wind and Solar Generation in line with the directive of the Hon'ble APTEL, the Forum of Regulators (FOR) constituted a Working Group (WG). Idam Infra assisted this Working Group, under the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) program undertaken by United States Agency for International Development's (USAID), in submitting its report to FOR which was subsequently endorsed by the Forum.
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With the objective of developing Model Regulations on the methodology used for the calculation of Open Access charges for Green Energy Open Access Consumers, the FOR constituted a Working Group (WG). Idam Infra assisted this Working Group, under the SAREP program undertaken by USAID, in submitting its report to FOR which was subsequently endorsed by the Forum.
This report contains an analysis of the issues surrounding the implementation of Green Open Access according to the rules issued by the Ministry of Power on Green Energy Open Access. It also contains an analysis of the various Open Access charges issued in various states under Open Access regulations and an examination of the banking charges applicable in various states for Renewable Energy. This report suggests the various permissible charges under Green Energy Open Access that will promote Green Energy while also ensuring that the prudent costs of the distribution licensee(s) are met. It also suggests a methodology for the calculation of Green Energy Open Access charges as well as banking charges.
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In order to assess the performance of the Power Sector in the North-Eastern States, the FOR constituted a Task Force. Idam Infra assisted this Task Force under the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) program undertaken by United States Agency for International Development's (USAID), in submitting its report to FOR which was subsequently endorsed by the Forum.
This report contains an assessment of the performance of the Power Sector in the Northeastern States. It analyses the performance of generation, transmission, distribution, and regulatory institutions, and compares them based on common parameters. It also provides recommendations for an improvement in the performance of the Power sector in these states along with a roadmap for a stipulated period.
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In order to understand the challenges of Biomass and Waste-to-Energy Projects and explore the opportunity of synergizing both sectors, the technical committee of the Forum of Regulators (FOR) constituted a Sub- Group under Shri R.N Sen, Chairperson, West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC). Idam Infra assisted this Sub-Group, under the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) GTG RISE Initiatives, and subsequently submitted its report to FOR who endorsed it.
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Forum of Regulator report of the Sub-Group on Challenges for Biomass and WTE Power Projects
The objective of this study was to review the present Distribution Network planning practices and Capital Investment strategies to develop Capital Investment indicators addressing the evolving network requirements and technology trends for Distribution utilities. This would help achieve the most cost-effective solutions by offering the appropriate level of visibility into their distribution systems as well as their monitoring and communications capabilities.
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Our goal, as a group, is to develop and implement sustainable solutions that can harness the power of nature for clean and efficient energy generation. Having a sound institutional memory of the operational initiatives across various sectors, we hope to bring multifaceted perspectives in our work in the energy sector.
For any queries, write to us on: contact@idaminfra.com
