Why is DG sets are installed in Solar, Wind & Hydro plants ?

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Diesel Generator (DG) sets are used in solar, wind, and hydro power plants for several important reasons, despite these being renewable energy sources. Here's a breakdown of their roles:

🔋 1. Backup Power for Auxiliary Loads

Renewable plants have auxiliary systems like control rooms, monitoring equipment, inverters, cooling systems, and communication devices. DG sets provide backup power to these systems during:

  • Grid outages
  • Low generation periods (e.g., cloudy days for solar, low wind speeds, or dry seasons for hydro)

⚙️ 2. Black Start Capability

DG sets help in black start operations, which means restarting the plant when the grid is down and no external power is available. This is especially critical for:

  • Remote solar/wind farms
  • Hydro plants with electronic gate controls

🛠️ 3. Commissioning and Maintenance Support

During plant commissioning, before the renewable source is operational, DG sets supply power for:

  • Testing equipment
  • Energizing transformers
  • Running construction tools

They’re also used during scheduled maintenance when the plant is offline.

🔄 4. Grid Synchronization and Stability

In some cases, DG sets are used to:

  • Maintain voltage and frequency during grid synchronization
  • Support islanding operations (isolated operation of a plant from the grid)

🧪 5. Emergency Situations

DG sets act as a failsafe during emergencies like:

  • Natural disasters
  • Cyberattacks or grid failures
  • Battery system failures in hybrid setups

🌍 Are DG Sets Still Relevant in Modern Renewable Plants?

While DG sets are still used, their role is declining due to:

  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Hybrid inverters
  • Smart grid integration

However, they remain a cost-effective and reliable solution in many regions, especially where grid reliability is low.

Note: Check for the comprasion of DG sets and BESS 

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