Energy Storage for Wind Energy
Although India is a relatively new entrant into the wind power market in the 1990s (As compared to Denmark and the United States), it has emerged as a significant player with excellent potential, and is currently ranked as the fifth largest installed wind capacity in the world. India has a total of 18GW installed capacity (17893 MW as on 30th September 2012). The Ministry for New and Renewable Energy has also set a target of 15000 MW for capacity addition of grid interactive renewable energy in the twelfth five year plan, which is 26% of the total target capacity, making wind the second largest power source over the next five years.
Some of the key drivers for the growth potential of the Wind market in India are:
- Grid Parity: Scalability of wind at a competitive cost, most economical CAPEX for installation, Fixed PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements)
- Ever increasing demand
- Conducive policy framework
- Flexible trading options (RECs recently introduced)
Frequency and synchronous spinning reserve support: In grids with a significant share of wind generation, intermittency and variability in wind generation output due to sudden shifts in wind patterns can lead to significant imbalances between generation and load that in turn result in shifts in grid frequency. Such imbalances are usually handled by spinning reserve at the transmission level, but energy storage can provide prompt response to such imbalances without the emissions related to most conventional solutions.
Transmission Curtailment Reduction: Wind power generation is often located in remote areas that are poorly served by transmission and distribution systems. As a result, sometimes wind operators are asked to curtail their production, which results in lost energy production opportunity, or system operators are required to invest in expanding the transmission capability. An EES unit located close to the wind generation can allow the excess energy to be stored and then delivered at times when the transmission system is not congested.
Time Shifting: Wind turbines are considered as non-despatchable resources. EES can be used to store energy generated during periods of low demand and deliver it during periods of high demand. When applied to wind generation, this application is sometimes called firming and shaping because it changes the power profile of the wind to allow greater control over dispatch.
Why IESA?
IESA KPN brings the latest advancements in Energy Storage from around the world to India. Specific storage solutions are assessed for their suitability and long term relevance, taking into account the local conditions for a sustainable growth. IESA also has an active dialogue with the concerned state and central statutory bodies in terms of policy regulations and framework to make the overall wind roadmap conducive and become future ready.
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