Expand storage to make use of renewable energy

The situation that we were dreading is at our doorstep now:

- Somit Dasgupta

Adding to our renewable capacity and balancing the grid with coal plants may not be feasible or economical any further.Generators have started highlighting that this kind of operation is damaging the machines. The supply of electricity to our grid has to match our demand on a real-time basis.

If there is mismatch beyond a point, the grid will collapse with a cascading effect. In case of excess supply, the path is stark: Reduce supply by cutting coal-based generation and/or renewable generation; else, reduce demand. Since we do not have a mature demand response system, we have no option but to curtail supply.

Usually, during the afternoon, solar generation surges. And if there is good wind velocity (July-September), there is additional wind power generation. Since renewable generation is a “must run”, net generation by fossil fuel plants dips in the daytime.

Coal plants, incidentally, can dip only to a point, beyond which the machines get damaged. If we can’t balance against demand even after lowering coal-based generation, renewable generation has to be cut as well.