RENEWCONNECT - All about renewables & power sector

  Due diligence  is a comprehensive appraisal or investigation conducted before entering into a business transaction—such as an investment, acquisition, or partnership—to assess risks, validate information, and ensure informed decision-making.   ⚡ Scope of Due Diligence in the Power Sector (India) Due diligence in the power sector is  critical  due to the complexity of infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and financial risks. Here's how it applies: 1. Technical Due Diligence Assessment of plant design, technology (e.g., solar PV, wind turbines), and operational efficiency. Evaluation of grid connectivity, transmission infrastructure, and energy output projections. Example: IndiGrid’s technical due diligence for solar and CSP projects 2. Financial Due Diligence Review of project costs, revenue models, tariffs, and financial viability. Analysis of debt structure, equity investments, and re...

[🇮🇳]  India: A Policy-Driven Push for BESS India has developed a comprehensive framework to promote BESS adoption, especially for grid-scale applications: Key National Policies and Guidelines National Framework for Promoting Energy Storage Systems (2023): Defines BESS as a critical grid asset and outlines its role in generation, transmission, and distribution. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme: ₹5,400 crore allocated to support 4,000 MWh of BESS capacity under Phase 1. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: ₹18,100 crore for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery manufacturing. Energy Storage Obligation (ESO): Mandates DISCOMs to procure a portion of power from storage sources under Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO). Waiver of Inter-State Transmission Charges: For BESS projects co-located with renewable energy. Battery Waste Management Rules (2022): Ensures safe disposal and recycling of batt...

Introduction India’s energy landscape is undergoing a transformative shift. With over 50% of its installed power capacity now coming from non-fossil fuel sources—five years ahead of its 2030 target—the country is rapidly embracing renewable energy. However, the intermittent nature of solar and wind power presents significant challenges to grid reliability and energy dispatch. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have emerged as a critical solution to these challenges, and government-led tenders are playing a pivotal role in accelerating their adoption. Why Grid-Scale Energy Storage Is Essential India’s peak power demand surpassed 250 GW in 2024 and continues to rise. To maintain grid stability while integrating increasing volumes of renewable energy, robust energy storage solutions are essential. BESS enables: Load balancing  during peak and off-peak hours Frequency regulation  and grid stability Renewable energy dispatchability , ensuring power a...

What is Rural Electrification? Rural Electrification (RE) is the process of bringing electricity to remote, rural, and underdeveloped areas that are not served by the main power grid. It aims to: Improve quality of life Enhance access to modern amenities Drive socio-economic development Enable education, healthcare, and communication services Rural Electrification in India: A Deep Dive 🏛️ Historical Background India's journey of rural electrification began in 1951 with the launch of the First Five-Year Plan , aiming to boost agricultural productivity through electric irrigation pumps. Over the decades, various schemes and programs were introduced to accelerate rural connectivity. 📜 Major Schemes & Policies Scheme Year Key Features Kutir Jyoti Yojana 1988 Provided single-point electricity connections to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) 2005 Village electrification, free connections to BPL families Deen Dayal U...

RDSS stands for Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme . It is an initiative by the Government of India , launched in 2021 under the Ministry of Power , aimed at improving the operational efficiency and financial sustainability of power distribution companies (DISCOMs) . 🔍 Key Objectives of RDSS: Reduce AT&C Losses (Aggregate Technical and Commercial Losses) to 12–15% . Bring ACS-ARR Gap (Average Cost of Supply – Average Revenue Realized) to zero . Improve power reliability and quality for consumers. Promote smart metering and digital infrastructure in the power sector. 🔧 Main Components: Infrastructure Upgrades : Upgrading substations, feeders, and transformers. Implementation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Installation of underground cables in urban areas. Smart Metering : Prepaid smart meters for consumers, feeders, and transformers. Helps reduce human error, theft, and billing inefficiencies. IT En...

Feeder lines  and  Substations  are not the same—they serve different but complementary roles in the electrical power distribution system. Here's a breakdown of each: 🔌  Feeder Line A  feeder line  is a power line that  carries electricity from a substation to distribution transformers  or directly to end users. It is part of the  distribution network . Typically operates at  medium voltage  (e.g., 11kV, 33kV). It does  not  generate or transform power—it simply  transports  it. 🏭  Substation A  substation  is a facility where  voltage is transformed  from high to low (or vice versa) using transformers. It connects  generation stations  to the  transmission and distribution networks . Substations can include: Power transformers Circuit breakers Busbars Protection...