Category Archives: Transmission and Distribution

Decentralised Storage: Impact on future distribution grids – An EUELECTRIC report, June 2012

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Flush with RE sources of power, EU recognizes the risk it brings to the grid without the appropriate balance of storage.  Europe’s electricity system is undergoing profound changes. The EU is planning a decarbonisation path that will see the EU … Continue reading →

Posted in CPV, Crystalline, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Thin Film, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Renewable Energy Revolution Hiccups: Grid Instability Has Industry Scrambling for Solutions

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: We need to be cognizant of the dangers of too much variable renewable energy (wind especially) and once peak demand has been met, consistent storage solutions are a necessity to ensure businesses in India do not fail. Sudden fluctuations … Continue reading →

Posted in Crystalline, Grid Storage, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Rural Lighting, Solar, Thin Film, Transmission and Distribution, Waste, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Germany’s Green Energy Destabilizing Europe’s Electric Grids – Storage a dire necessity for RE to succeed!

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

High use of renewable energy in eastern Germany driven by government green energy policies is causing instability to its own and its neighbours electric grid Germany is phasing out its nuclear plants in favor of wind and solar energy backed-up … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Crystalline, Hydro, PV, Renewables, Rooftop, Solar, Thin Film, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Gujarat to promote solar power under REC mechanism

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Apex state power utility Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) is going to ink power purchase agreements with solar project developers under renewable energy certificate mechanism soon. The process for the same will start from next month. The state nodal agency for … Continue reading →

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Rajasthan may face blackout from Sunday as NTPC threatens to snap supply for defaulting on Rs 367 crore pay

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp: Why are we not surprised that centralized power is not a true solution. In a regulatory notice to the three distribution companies NTPC has said it would either curb the supply of 1258-MW or regulate it.   Consumers in … Continue reading →

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Power tariffs to move in line with rising input cost: Power Ministry, Ball now in DISCOMs Court

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

However, the Power Ministry is of the opinion that hikes in power tariffs could be “moderated” if the efficiency of distribution companies — many of which are loss-making — are improved.   Indicating that power tariffs could go up further, Power Ministry … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Andhra Pradesh releases its RFS for Grid connected Solar Plants

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Ritesh Pothan

After TN failing miserably due to various issues on its 1000 MW ambitious solar plan, AP has taken up the baton. We anticipate that the credit ratings of the DISCOM may play a key role in getting in more players … Continue reading →

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India is likely to be second largest consumer of coal, may surpass US in five years: IEA

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

 India is likely to be the second largest consumer of coal, surpassing the United States, in the next five years, says a report. “China and India would lead the growth in coal consumption over the next five years…while India will become … Continue reading →

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Tata Power, RInfra defer RPO targets to the next year saying no RECs available

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Private utilities Tata Power and Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) have blamed inordinate delays in commissioning of solar projects for their failure to meet the solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets for the last two completed fiscals. The companies, in separate representations, informed the sectoral regulator MERC in October they could not … Continue reading →

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Madhya Pradesh discoms don’t owe anything to banks; MP on verge of being power surplus post full Sasan commissioning

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

State-owned power distribution companies in Madhya Pradesh do not have any outstanding dues to the banks and financial institutions, although they have incurred losses due to the gap between expenditure and revenue, a top state energy official said. The state … Continue reading →

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Gram Power installs smart solar micro-grid in Pali district of Rajasthan

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Gram Power has installed its 2nd Smart solar micro-grid in Pali district of Rajasthan with 2 more plants expected in the 1st week of December in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The remote village in Rajasthan of 350+ people on the … Continue reading →

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All India Regionwise Generating Installed Capacity (MW) Of Power Utilities Including Allocated Shares

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

All India Regionwise Generating Installed Capacity (MW) Of Power Utilities Including Allocated Shares – Sept 2012 REGION THERMAL Nuclear HYDRO R.E.S.@ TOTAL COAL GAS DSL TOTAL (Renewable) (MNRE) Northern 29923.5 4671.26 12.99 34607.75 1620 15423.75 4437.65 56089.15 Western 43199.5 8254.81 … Continue reading →

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Energy Statistics 2012 – Ministry Of Statistics And Programme Implementation

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

This publication titled “Energy Statistics 2012”, is brought out every year by Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the present one is 19th in the series. The publication contains the latest data available in respect of different energy sources, with different … Continue reading →

Posted in Micro Grid, PV, Renewables, Rural Lighting, Solar, Solar Thermal, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal takes step in the right direction by ordering decentralizing of agricultural power needs using solar clusters

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Punjab government has decided to explore the possibility of developing solar power clusters to energise agricultural water pumps in rural areas, besides setting up solar panels at canals and rooftops of big buildings. Presiding over a meeting on Tuesday … Continue reading →

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Powering Cellular Base Stations – A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF ENERGY OPTIONS Solar PV, Diesel Generators, Batteries and Electrical Grid by Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Sriram Narayanamurthy, Janani Rangarajan, Sneha Raj

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Powering Cellular Base Stations A Quantitative Analysis of Energy Options- Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, RITCOE- IIT Madras at the Telecom Center of Excellence (RiTCOE) Indian Institute of Technology, Madras Telecommunications networks are critical infrastructure that needs assured power supply 24×7. Before the … Continue reading →

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A watt saved is a watt available for use; power outages set to continue for another year, says Tamil Nadu Electricity Board

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

TRICHY: It was the turn of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) to have a taste of its own medicine on Monday, as the computers at the K K Nagar office went blank from 11am due to the power cuts. Consumers, who … Continue reading →

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TERI breakthrough in rejuvenating 30000 hectares affected by COAL POWER PLANTS

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

And digressing from RE , after years of labour, TERI’s Centre for Mycorrhizal Research achieved a technological breakthrough—masscultivation of a consortium of mycorrhizae on a semisynthetic medium under sterile environments. In vitro mycorrhiza biofertilizer is a multipurpose and multifaceted product—it … Continue reading →

Posted in Hydro, Renewables, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can Solar provide a solution for industrial Bangalore

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

BANGALORE: Even as Bangaloreans have been spared load-shedding while the rest of the state faces it, industries will have to bear the brunt with six-hour power cuts from Friday. They have been scheduled as three-hour power cuts in morning and … Continue reading →

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Govt clears bailout for state electricity distribution firms: Another hasty quickfix promoting inefficiency, not a long term solution

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Indian government on Monday approved an ambitious plan to bail out beleaguered state electricity distribution companies, or discoms, through a restructuring of their short-term loans. The electricity distribution firms owned by the state governments are finding it difficult to … Continue reading →

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Punjab targets 400MW Solar power

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Punjab Government has set a target to generate 400 megawatt power through solar power plants in the state. “Punjab has abundant sunlight which is available for more than 330 days in a year with good insulation levels, so the … Continue reading →

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Gujarat Solar RPO (Renewable Purchase Obligation) Compliance – Torrent Power & GUVNL

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

  Torrent Power Ltd. Total Consumption including T & D losses, 9565.81 Mus Source RPO % MUs Required to fulfill RPO MUs purchased % MUs purchased against required % RPO fulfilled   Wind 5 478.29 103.45 21.63 1.08   Solar 0.5 … Continue reading →

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The salient features of the solar tariff order No. 1 of 2012

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The control period for the proposed tariff is from 29th January, 2012 to 31st March, 2015. The separate tariff determined and proposed by the Commission for (i) Solar PV MW based power projects (ii) Solar PV KW based rooftop power … Continue reading →

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Why the Indian Grid failed

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The massive grid failure in India last week affected over 600 million people. With speculations abound as to the reasons for the failure, we decided to talk to engineers working at the load despatch centers on the ground to get … Continue reading →

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Lessons to be learnt from one of the world’s worst energy blackouts of the decade

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

  India just had the mother of all blackouts in the last week of July, causing the most populated northern half of the nation to come to a halt, without a viable recourse to an alternate source of energy for … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Events, Fuel Cells, Micro Grid, Renewables, Solar, Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Conventional power unable to match demand for power in Delhi. Seems like a good time for solar kit vendors to start intensive marketing.

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

New Delhi simmered with a high of 41 degrees today. The demand for power set a record: 5642 MW, according to BSES, the power distribution company owned by Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infra. Last August, the peak demand had touched 5028 … Continue reading →

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Off-grid subsidy details for Solar PV

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

For all those who are looking to deploy Solar in residential and commercial areas, here is the breakup of what you can avail off from MNRE Capital Subsidy: 30% of benchmark cost of photovoltaic systems with battery back-up support and … Continue reading →

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Tidal Power still very expensive, as Gujarat enters into agreement with US firm

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The Gujarat government has entered into a preliminary agreement with US firm Atlantis for starting a 50 MW tidal wave power project at either of the two spots, but preferably in the Gulf of Kutch, “a senior official said, adding, … Continue reading →

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Is the answer to India’s energy future blowing in the Wind? – by Ritesh Pothan

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Ritesh Pothan offer us an in-depth analysis of the wind industry present and future in India. “Wind is still considered an area of growth by the MNRE however the situation on the ground is a different story,” says Ritesh. “There … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewables, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

TANGEDCO to verify captive wind power units’ compliance with norms – Has Wind caused the downfall of the TN DISCOM

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Tangedco calculates that on the 6,000-odd million units of electricity generated by captive wind producers, it sustains a loss of close to Rs 500 crore. The Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) has asked its Chief Engineers to verify whether … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Renewables, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

TANGEDCO wants banking of wind power abolished

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Natgrp comment: This is beginning to sound like the death knell for Wind in India. The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO), which is the state electricity generation and distribution utility, on Friday made a plea before the Tamil … Continue reading →

Posted in Renewables, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

We’re not responsible for your losses, TN wind industry tells Tangedco

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Wind power producers in Tamil Nadu have strongly denied that the state-owned power utility, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company, is losing around Rs 1,200 crore because of the wind power sector in the State. In its response to Tangedco’s … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Renewables, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Solid Solar’s “Pay as you use” model lights up un-electrified villages

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Solid solar (by Gautam Polymers) India’s largest solar lights manufacturer for last 15 yrs is working in over 2000 villages to deliver light and power to un-electrified villages in pay when you use business model. In a project with TERI … Continue reading →

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Solar Multi Utility for Assam – TERI

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Source: TERI Solar energy has abundant applications. Tapping solar power requires the appropriate technology to reach the grassroots of India if we aim to move towards sustainable development for all. With this goal, TERI undertook the task of providing solar … Continue reading →

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Solar Biomass Hybrid Cold Storage-cum Power Generation System

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Sponsor: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Duration: 3 years Key Stakeholder/Beneficiaries: Farmers, fruit and vegetable supply chains, fruit and vegetable exporters Objectives To develop a solar-cum-biomass based cooling system for village level cold storages in addition to providing electricity to the village. … Continue reading →

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Tata Power helps lights up two villages in Maharashtra with solar energy through Nabard

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Two villages in Maharashtra which had no electricity till now have been linked up by Tata Power’s solar power initiative. Tata Power Community Development Trust has provided power to about 50 households in Limbarvadi and Bhadaskonda of the Mulshi region … Continue reading →

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Greenpeace report on the role of micro grids in promoting the renewable energy revolution needed in Bihar

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

Something’s brewing in Bihar. After decades of being India’s most notoriously ‘backward’ state, the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has tempered corruption, built roads and spurred development. Given the impressive achievements of his previous term, it’s no surprise he rode to … Continue reading →

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IET Factfiles on Fuelcells, Combined Heat & Power, Distribution Generation and Glossary

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The principles behind the operation of fuel cells and the various types available. This Factfile describes the principles behind the operation of fuel cells and the various types of fuel cell available, and gives information on fuel cell performance, systems … Continue reading →

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MERC clarifies that 80IA will continue for projects in India, significantly benefiting renewable energy projects already plagued by low returns

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

BENEFITS UNDER SECTION 80 IA OF INCOME TAX ACT Stakeholder Comments/Suggestions Bharat Forge submitted that the benefits under Section 80IA of the Income tax Act would not be available for projects commissioned after March 31, 2012 and hence, requested the … Continue reading →

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Renewable energy, grid parity – myth today or tomorrow’s reality!

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

  Grid Parity per Wikipedia is defined as “the point at which alternative means of generating *(continuous) electricity produces power*(throughout the day) at a levelized cost that is equal to or less than the price of purchasing power from the grid. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomass, Hydro, Renewables, Solar, Transmission and Distribution, Wind | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

India’s transmission and distribution utilities – It’s time to transform

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Ritesh Pothan

The need for power has seen tremendous growth in the last decade riding on the prosperity that various export oriented sectors, have heralded, in India. This economic growth has increased living standards for the common man who now demands more than just roti (food), … Continue reading →

Posted in Transmission and Distribution | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments