RENEWCONNECT - All about renewables & power sector

 An  Energy Portfolio Management System (EPMS)  is a strategic tool used by organizations—especially utilities, energy producers, and large energy consumers, to manage, optimize, and monitor their energy resources and investments. It functions similarly to a financial portfolio management system but focuses on energy assets and consumption. Key Functions of EPMS: Energy Resource Planning : Tracks various energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, hydro, fossil fuels). Helps in forecasting energy demand and supply. Optimization of Energy Mix : Balances cost, reliability, and sustainability. Supports decisions on which energy sources to prioritize. Risk Management : Assesses market volatility, regulatory changes, and supply risks. Uses analytics to mitigate financial and operational risks. Performance Monitoring : Monitors energy production, consumption, and efficiency. Provi...

Introduction Coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) remain a cornerstone of electricity generation in India and many other countries. Despite the global push toward renewables, coal continues to account for over 50% of India’s installed capacity. However, one of the persistent challenges in coal-fired TPPs is  Auxiliary Power Consumption (APC) , the energy consumed by internal systems to keep the plant operational. Typically ranging from 7% to 10% of gross generation, high APC directly impacts the net power available for sale and, consequently, the tariff. Reducing APC is not only a technical necessity but also a strategic imperative to improve plant economics, reduce emissions, and remain competitive in the evolving energy market. Understanding Auxiliary Power Consumption Auxiliary power refers to the electricity consumed by various subsystems within the plant, including: Boiler Feed Pumps (BFP) Induced Draft (ID) Fans Forced Draft (FD) Fans Primary Air...

In the  industrial and commercial segments in India , the key requirements for deploying  Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)  are shaped by operational needs, regulatory standards, and integration challenges. Here's a summary based on expert insights and guidelines Key Requirements for BESS in Industrial & Commercial Segments 1. Usage Definition & System Design Discharge Duration : Must align with operational needs (e.g., peak shaving, backup power). C-Rates : Determines how quickly the battery can be charged/discharged. Lifecycle Expectations : Systems should be sized to meet performance targets over their expected lifespan. 2. Safety & Compliance Standards Must adhere to international and Indian standards such as: UL9540  (Safety of Energy Storage Systems) IEEE 1547  (Interconnection standards) NEC 706/480  (National Electrical Code) IEC 62933  (General r...

In the  Indian financial and taxation context ,  CESS  refers to a  specific type of tax  levied by the government to fund targeted public welfare programs. It is  not a general revenue tax , but rather an  additional charge  on existing taxes like income tax, GST, or excise duty. 🔍  Full Form & Meaning of CESS in Finance CESS  =  Tax on Tax It is  levied over and above  the base tax (e.g., income tax or GST). The revenue from cess is deposited in the  Consolidated Fund of India (CFI)  but is earmarked for  specific purposes only . 🏛 ️ Common Types of CESS in India Health and Education Cess Rate : 4% on income tax (including surcharge) Purpose : Funds mid-day meals, government schools, education loans, and healthcare initiatives. Infrastructure Cess Levied on fuel or vehicles to fund road and transport inf...

  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...