Transmission Planning for Renewable Energy Zones Chauhan R.K., Sen Subir, Bhambhani Kashish, Kumawat Sandeep Power Grid Corporation of India Limited Online published on 3 September, 2019. Abstract India faces the trilemma of achieving objectives of energy access along with energy security and sustainability. Our country possesses abundant Solar and wind energy potential which can meet above requirements. Accordingly, in order to fulfil India's need of secure, affordable and sustainable energy demand to support rapid economic growth, growing population and rapid urbanization, the Government is promoting development of renewable generation through an attractive mix of fiscal and financial incentives as well as conducive policy environment. Government of India has set a target of establishing 175 GW renewable capacity by 2022, which includes 100 GW from Solar and 60 GW from Wind. Renewable Generation has short gestation period (15–18 months) vis-a-vis development of transmission (24–36 months). This necessitates planning & implementation of transmission system in advance to match difference in gestation period. However, this requires identification of RE complexes which may come up on the priority basis based on availability of land, quality resources, developmental cost etc. In this regard an exercise was carried out to prioritize Renewable Energy Zones along with their quantum for development in next 2–3 years. SECI/MNRE in discussion with NIWE/SNAs/RE developers, finalized potential wind/Solar complexes that may be developed in next 2–3 year in various RE resource rich states. NIWE/SNA carried out detailed analysis on developable potential of wind energy zones considering various parameters as well as already harnessed potential in that complex. CTU also shared information on applications from various RE applicants in diffèrent wind complexes. Subsequently, Wind Developers//IPPs provided inputs on the wind potential zones based on the feasibility of wind farm development considering availability of resources (Wind/Land etc.), land cost, ROW, existing and planned STU transmission system in complex as well as present regime of competitive wind bids scenario. Likewise, Solar potential zones were also prioritized by SECI/MNRE in consultation with NISE & Solar developers. Based on corroborations of all inputs, realistic wind (16.5 GW) & solar (50 GW) potential was identified for development in next 2–3 years in different pockets of seven (7) RE rich state viz. Tamil nadu, Karnataka, AP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP and Rajasthan. Accordingly, Transmission planning studies were carried out to identify transmission requirement for grid integration of above envisaged Potential Renewable Energy Zones to national grid. For this, system studies were carried out for various load generation scenarios, i.e., RE maximized as well as peak demand scenario for 2021/22 time frame. All India demand is considered as per the 19th EPS of CEA (2021–22). Ministry of Power in consultation with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy notified the long term trajectory of renewable purchase obligation (RPO) for non solar as well as solar, uniformly for all states/UTs (10.5% solar & 10.5% non-solar) by 2021–22. From the Present and envisaged RE capacity and RPO targets of states, it was analyzed that Eastern, North eastern and Northern region states (except Rajasthan) may import RE energy from RE rich states. Some of the other non RE rich states of western and southern region, i.e., Chhattisgarh, Kerala may also fulfill their RPO by importing power from RE rich states. Considering envisaged RE (wind & solar) capacity addition and to achieve Load-generation balance, Thermal generation dispatch is reduced upto 55%, wherever required. Based on above, comprehensive transmission system requirement was evolved for grid integration of above Renewable Energy Zones (66.5 GW). The paper deliberates on approach to identify transmission infrastructure for grid integration of envisaged potential renewable energy zones. Top Keywords Renewable energy zone, solar energy zone, wind energy zone, Transmission. Top |