Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Energy
Why in News?
Between January 2022 and June 2025, India reported 68 renewable grid disturbances, causing 1–7 GW losses, mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat, exposing renewable integration challenges.
Causes of Disturbances
- Variable Renewable Output – Solar and wind generation changes rapidly with weather, creating sudden supply fluctuations.
- Technical Non‑Compliance – Some generators failed to meet Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) and High Voltage Ride Through (HVRT) standards.
LVRT and HVRT - Standards to keep generators connected during voltage disturbances.
- System Frequency Issues – Sudden changes in renewable output affected grid stability.
- Need for Technology – Solutions like STATCOMs (Static Synchronous Compensators) can provide rapid voltage support.
Renewable Growth
- Installed Capacity – India reached 548 GW by July 2026.
- Renewables – Solar capacity at 162 GW, wind at 47 GW; over 200% growth in a decade.
- Distributed Solar – Of 44.61 GW added in FY 2026, 16.3 GW was distributed solar (PM‑KUSUM and rooftop).
Transmission and Storage
- Transmission Planning – Government planning transmission for 500 GW non‑fossil capacity by 2030.
- Government Measures – Interstate charge waivers and renewable purchase obligations support expansion.
- Storage – Essential for balancing supply and demand; investment needed to manage variability.
- Energy storage requirement – USD 1.15 trillion (2025–2050), USD 3.3 trillion (2051–2070).
Demand Growth
- Peak Demand – Rose from 242.77 GW (June 2025) to 270.8 GW (May 2026).
- Future Projection – CEA (Central Electricity Authority) projects 459 GW by 2034‑35; global estimates suggest 700 GW by 2047.
- New Loads – EVs may account for 6–9% of consumption by 2035; data centres could require 14–30 GW by early 2030s.
Reference
Down to Earth | Renewable Energy
