India aims 30 percent market share by 2030 in EV sector 

The ‘National Green Hydrogen Mission’ seeks to make India a global green hydrogen hub, focusing on local electrolyser manufacturing and workforce development.

India is making significant strides towards energy independence by 2047, with substantial reforms driving progress. Kumar Mukund gives insights into the energy landscape.

Investment and workforce

India is making substantial progress towards energy independence by 2047, driven by key reforms. In the solar energy sector, initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI), Anti-Dumping Duty (ALMM), and Basic Customs Duty (BCD) have boosted domestic manufacturing. Cumulative solar module capacity has surged from 18 GW in March 2022 to 38 GW in March 2023, with a 110 GW target by 2026. However, delays in extending ALMM highlight the need for a stable policy environment from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

In the electric vehicle (EV) sector, India aims for a 30 percent market share by 2030, supported by policies like FAME1, FAME2, and PLI. Addressing workforce shortages can transform India into an EV talent hub. The ‘National Green Hydrogen Mission’ aims to make India a global green hydrogen hub by focusing on local electrolyser manufacturing and workforce development. Bioethanol can reduce crude oil dependence and boost rural economies. Ensuring policy stability, addressing workforce shortages, and reducing raw material dependencies are vital for a secure, affordable, and sustainable path to energy independence by 2047.

Strategies to modernise transmission and distribution networks

To address intermittent renewable energy generation, modernising transmission and distribution networks is essential. Grid-aware incentives can encourage wind and solar generators to enhance grid stability. Additionally, deploying battery storage technology can improve grid reliability. Optimising the network can reduce T&D losses, while improving billing and operational efficiency at the distribution company level can reduce commercial losses.

Innovative solutions to bridge the gap between power supply and distribution

India has achieved remarkable progress in household electrification, with approximately 97 percent of households electrified as of the 2020 India Residential Energy Survey. However, around 3 percent of rural households in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana still lack access to electricity. Urban areas require a focus on reducing AT&C losses, integrating solar power and EV charging infrastructure, and implementing innovative technologies such as smart grids, battery storage, and IoT for improved efficiency. In rural areas, solar microgrids with storage offer a practical solution, especially in agriculture-centric regions where dedicated feeders can enhance energy distribution.

Challenges in aligning decentralised energy generation

India’s transmission systems serve as a crucial link between power generation hubs and distribution networks, addressing the challenge of uneven energy resource distribution across the country. To overcome transmission congestion, India established a robust Central Transmission System and inter-regional corridors, achieving ‘ONE NATION’-‘ONE GRID’-‘ONE FREQUENCY’ in December 2013 by synchronising the Southern Region Grid with the National Grid.

In 2013-14, congestion hindered approximately 16 percent of power exchange transactions, leading to fluctuating market prices. Additionally, the strategic Ladakh region remained isolated from the national grid. However, the current government’s focus on congestion-free transmission networks has yielded impressive results. Uncleared power exchange reduced to just 0.06 percent in 2020-21, and peak and energy deficits plummeted from over 4 percent in 2013-14 to a mere 0.4 percent in 2020-21, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of India’s power supply network.

Smart grid technology and energy storage solutions

An intelligent grid plays a pivotal role in integrating renewable energy sources, but the intermittent nature of sunlight and wind creates operational challenges. To ensure consistent, high-quality power supply, a smoothening mechanism is essential. Energy storage solutions, such as batteries and pumped hydro, absorb surplus renewable energy during low-demand periods and release it during peak demand. Installing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at local substations, the gateway to households, is a smart strategy. BESS not only supports grid stability but also extends the operational life of local transformers by providing stored energy during peak demand, reducing strain on the grid infrastructure.

Spokesperson– Kumar Mukund, Regional Business Development Head- System Level Solutions (SLS)