India’s southern region comprising Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala accounts for 25% of national power consumption but 45% of total wind and solar power capacity in the country. Penetration of variable wind and solar energy, defined as generation from both these sources as a percentage of electricity consumption, in the southern region was 9% in 2016-17 as against the national average of 5%. Such high rate of penetration raises concerns regarding management of the grid and can result in high grid curtailment rate. South India represents a test case for the country for integration of variable renewable energy into the grid. Increased RE deployment is changing the energy landscape in southern region and raises concerns regarding grid stability and power curtailment; While strides have been made in enhancing transmission connectivity, a lot still needs to be done to enhance grid flexibility and develop ancillary services market; Lessons should also be learnt from successful international experiences in allowing high renewable energy grid penetration; Enhanced transmission connectivity as well as rapid RE deployment has helped south India in considerably reducing its power deficit from 7.3% in 2013-14 to only 0.2% in 2016-17. But another 9 GW of wind and… Read More »
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