Why power transmission lines need review as India 'moving over' to renewable energy

By Shankar Sharma*
A news item, “Suspected Chinese hackers collect intelligence from India’s power grid”, throws up serious concerns with regard to the security of the safe and reliable operation of the integrated national power grid in the country.
Few months ago, whereas it was reported in the media that a power disruption in Mumbai for many hours in a stretch was probably due to such hacking by some external agencies, there has been no such confirmation from the concerned authorities. The silence in this regard by the concerned authorities is understandable, keeping in view the sensitivity of the issue.
However, in view of the obsession of our authorities to increase the coverage and complexity of the integrated national power grid (with ever increasing of additions of transmission lines, power plants, individual as well as large size loads such as railway traction, sensitive generators such as nuclear power reactors, radially connected renewable energy power parks, voltage control devices, energy storage facilities etc.), the enormity of a scenario where even few states of the Union can face power disruption, for whatever reasons, for few hours during the day time should not be ignored/ underestimated.
There can be many contributing factors for such a power disruption scenario in addition to possibility of disruptive hacking by external agencies, as mentioned in the above article.
Whatever may be the causative factor, the deleterious impacts on our economy and welfare of our communities due to such prolonged power outages can be massive, as reported on two power blackouts in the North and Eastern parts of the country on July 31 and August 1, 2012, and more recently in Texas’s electric grid in US (February 2021) which affected millions of people for 2-3 days, and lead to the largest forced power outage in US history.
With the ever increasing reliance on electricity for our energy needs, the potential for major disruption to our way of life because of the increased complexity in the integrated national power grid must not be ignored in the overall context of true welfare of our communities.
Whereas, it may be impossible to completely eliminate such power disruptions at the State /regional levels despite implementing the latest technological features, there are ways and means to minimise such risks, and prevent the spread of such forced outage across states/ regions.
In this larger context, and in view of the fact that there are enormous societal costs associated with conventional technology based vast integrated grids, there is an imperative to diligently review the very need for such large size and hugely complex integrated national grid network for a fast-emerging scenario, wherein there is a high probability of a very large number of small size renewable energy sources, such as rooftop SPV systems, connected to distribution networks.

In view of the fact that distributed kinds of renewable energy sources will become a major part of the power system in the near future, and that large size conventional technology power sources such as coal, gas and nuclear power plants will almost be completely eliminated in the next 2-3 decades, the very need for so many power transmission lines at 66, 110, 220, 400, 765 kV, and the HVDC lines should come under serious review.
Keeping in view the credible scenario that by 2040-50, the country is likely to have most of its electricity sources in the form of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power generators, it is techno-economically credible to forecast a electricity demand/ supply arrangement as below:

Increased focus to achieve a reduced reliance on the integrated grid quality power, and strengthen the relevance of micro / smart grids powered by distributed renewable energy sources (REs), energy storage battery systems, and suitably designed protection and communication systems.
Increased reliance on distributed kinds of renewable energy sources (RES): solar, wind, bio-mass, and energy storage facilities, which will not need high voltage lines or complex integrated grids.
Focus on the concept of a federation of micro/ smart grids at the regional / national level connected to each other through distribution level voltage lines or very few high voltage transmission lines.

It has become imperative to urgently initiate a national level discussion on all the associated issues so as to arrive at an early consensus on the kind of electricity demand/ supply arrangement, which will be most suitable for the country.

A discussion paper in this context can provide more points for rational discussions.
---
*Power & Climate Policy Analyst

Comments

Reon Energy said…

The present lifestyle of the mankind thrives on the consumption of energy thereby making it an inevitable necessity. The increasing population has led to an ever-growing energy demand. Majority of this demand is met through conventional sources which are continually depleting and raising serious environmental concerns. To further prolong the issue, the present power structure of developing countries like is ageing, inefficient and unsustainable. The present electricity grid is unreliable, prone to brownouts and blackouts, has high transmission losses, poor power quality, supplying inadequate electricity, discouraging to integration of distributed energy sources. Mitigation of these issues require the complete overhauling of power delivery structure. Smart Grid, i.e., the modernization of the electric grid is an evolving blend of various technologies intended at bringing a drastic change in the electrical power grid.

The renewable energy sector is witnessing a remarkable growth in recent years. The installed capacity of renewable energy sources in India is 78,360 MW as of April 30th, 2019 which is 22% of total installed capacity of energy generation (G. of India, 2011). Such growth in renewable energyy generation has to be seamlessly integrated into the grid and meet through efficient energy utilization.

April 24, 2023

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor* Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog