India issues national wind-solar hybrid policy

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy in order to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid system

May 16, 2018

Large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid power generation systems are aimed at reducing the variability in renewable power generation, achieving better grid stability as well as improved revenue generation

The policy comes amid the Government’s increasing focus on renewable energy; India aims to deploy 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, including 100 GW of solar energy and 60 GW of wind energy

Renewable energy offers easy solutions to India’s rapidly growing energy requirement, especially since the nation possesses renewable energy potential of about 1,096 GW from commercially exploitable sources

The policy provides for procurement of power from a hybrid project through tariff based bidding process; It permits use of battery storage in hybrid project for optimising the output and further reduce the variability

India has rolled out the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid system. The policy issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will aid efficient utilisation of transmission infrastructure and land. The policy also aims to reduce the variability in renewable power generation and achieve better grid stability. Additionally, a scheme for new hybrid projects under the policy is expected shortly. The policy comes amid the Indian Government’s increasing focus on renewable energy. The nation has aimed to deploy 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, including 100 GW of solar energy and 60 GW of wind energy. With installed renewable capacity of over 60 GW at end 2017, the nation is well placed to reach the target.

Renewable energy offers easy solutions to India’s rapidly growing energy requirement, especially since the nation possesses estimated renewable energy potential of about 1,096 GW from commercially exploitable sources. To efficiently exploit this resource, hybrid projects have been targeted to maximise power as well as income generation from renewable projects. Herein, the policy seeks to promote new hybrid projects as well as hybridisation of existing wind and solar projects. The existing wind and solar projects can be hybridised with higher transmission capacity than the sanctioned one, subject to availability of margin in the existing power transmission capacity. On technology front, the hybrid policy provides for integration of both the clean energy sources – wind and solar at AC as well as DC level.

The policy allows flexibility in share of wind and solar components in hybrid project, subject to the condition that, rated power capacity of one resource be at least 25 per cent of the rated power capacity of other resource for it to be recognised hybrid project. The policy also provides for procurement of power from a hybrid project through tariff based transparent bidding process. The policy permits use of battery storage in the hybrid project for optimising the output and further reduce the variability. It also mandates the regulatory authorities to formulate necessary standards and regulations for wind-solar hybrid systems. Backed by strong capacity additions in renewables in recent years and with Hybrid Policy aiming at better utilisation of resources, it is envisaged that the Hybrid Policy will open-up a new area for availability of renewable power at competitive prices along with reduced variability.

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