SRLDC adopts innovative RE approach for efficient energy infrastructure

The article explores SRLDC-Grid India’s role in India’s rapidly evolving energy landscape with a growing focus on renewable energy integration to combat climate change and transition towards a sustainable future.

India’s energy landscape is rapidly evolving with an increasing focus on renewable energy (RE) integration to tackle climate change and transition towards a sustainable future. The Southern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (SRLDC) is at the forefront of managing the southern regional trade, and its efforts to incorporate renewable energy sources have brought forth several challenges and requirements.

As the center ventures into a paradigm shift towards solar power, it faces the first hurdle in identifying suitable locations for renewable energy generation. Unlike conventional plants, RE sources are predominantly concentrated in the northern, western, and southern regions, with solar being the preferred choice. Recently, Rajasthan has emerged as a prominent area with considerable potential for exploration.

Managing intermittency in power supply through renewable energy integration

Undoubtedly, ambitious targets have been set for installed capacity, exemplified by a staggering 300 percent increase planned by March 2023. However, this unprecedented growth poses several challenges. The primary concern lies in managing variations in renewable energy generation on an hourly, daily, and annual basis. Instants, where energy supply surpasses demand, require innovative solutions, such as storing excess energy or ensuring flexible conventional plants back down. Balancing the grid to accommodate renewable energy while accounting for its variability is a complex task that necessitates continuous efforts.

Moreover, the intermittency of solar energy poses challenges during night hours when there is no solar generation. Consequently, conventional energy sources will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring continuous power supply. However, this integration demands greater flexibility in conventional plants and higher ramp rates to adapt to rapid changes in renewable energy generation.

To address these challenges, the centre has taken action in several directions. Flexibility guidelines and resource allocation frameworks have been introduced to enable seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the grid. Additionally, battery storage and pump storage solutions are being explored to manage surplus power and stabilise the grid during periods of low renewable energy generation.

Challenges in forecasting transmission and grid integration

However, the Southern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (SRLDC) also faces challenges in forecasting renewable energy generation accurately. Factors like cloud cover, eclipses, cyclones, and limited visibility affect the predictability of solar generation. To mitigate this issue, grid codes have been revised, mandating reserve requirements and emphasising ancillary markets to ensure grid stability.

Transmission planning is another critical aspect that requires adaptation to the increasing share of renewable energy. The centre currently employs multiple scenarios to assess the grid’s capacity to accommodate future RE generation, with synchronous condensers and STATCOMs being considered to enhance voltage regulation and stability.

The centre also emphasises the significance of maintaining grid stability during contingencies. Inertia reduction and oscillations remain concerns that need to be addressed proactively. Promoting fast frequency response and exploring synchronous synthetic inertia are being considered as potential solutions.

The challenges and requirements for integrating renewable energy into the Southern Regional power grid are multi-faceted. Accurate forecasting, flexibility in conventional plants, battery storage, and transmission planning are just a few areas that demand meticulous attention. To achieve the ambitious renewable energy targets set for the future, stakeholders must collaborate and take collective efforts to optimise the grid’s efficiency and reliability.

The shift towards solar power and the need for suitable locations

While progress has been made in various areas, continuous efforts are needed to develop standardised solutions and ensure seamless integration of renewable energy sources. The Southern Regional Load Dispatch Centre’s commitment to addressing these challenges exemplifies its dedication to realising a greener and more sustainable future for the region’s power supply.

As the energy landscape evolves, the centre’s insights and endeavours will serve as a valuable model for other regions embarking on a similar path towards a renewable energy-powered future. Through collaboration, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of progress, the Southern Regional New Dispatch Centre is poised to lead the way in shaping a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for the nation.

(Excerpts of this article are taken from EPR’s Power Talk on “Efficient Energy Infrastructure: Grid Integration Strategies for T&D Systems by Mr. M. Venkateshan, DGM – SRLDC, Grid India)