The rise of intermittent power sources such as solar and wind brings along the challenges in planning and operation of the power systems.
The problem of intermittent power generation due to the variation in wind speed and the solar irradiation intensity throughout the day leads to inconsistent power generation throughout the day.
Another constraint is the inability to ‘control’ the generation to match the demand, as can be done in a dispatchable fossil fuel power plant. Thus, limiting the dependency on renewable energy power in certain scenarios.
As per the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study (WWSIS) by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL):
- At up to 10% renewable energy penetration, the grid is stable.
- At 20% penetration, grid stability issues become more frequent.
- With 30% penetration, grid becomes unstable, affecting the performance of other power generating plants such as those of coal and nuclear.
It is estimated that, by 2030, the RE sources penetration in India is likely to reach 44%. This would create formidable challenges in maintaining grid stability.
Effective energy storage solutions hold the key to overcome these challenges. They can provide the required backup power for intermittent renewable energy capacity without threatening grid stability or the ability to meet electricity demand.
Solar plants along with battery storage add flexibility by smoothening the short term variability, eliminating production and load peaks, allowing very fast injection and absorption of electricity, and making solar fully dispatchable.
Moreover, as the price of grid power rises and states continue to reduce net metering benefits, consumers will see a higher gain in retaining the self-generated power for their future use.
Various uses of energy storage can be summed up as:
- Time shift for generated energy
- Energy scheduling
- Grid stabilization
- Peak shaving of demand
- Sale of power at peak times – arbitrage
Hence, the commercial viability of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is expected to improve substantially as the solar+storage tariffs are fixed for next 25 years without any escalation.
This story is based on JMK Research & Analytics Report