New energy option in India
Wind-solar hybrid power, which harnesses both solar and wind energy, is fast emerging as a viable new renewable energy option in India.
Image for illustration purposes
India: Wind-solar hybrid power, which harnesses both solar and wind energy, is fast emerging as a viable new renewable energy option in India.
The wind-solar plant will be recognised as a hybrid plant if the rated power capacity of one resource is at least 25 % of the rated power capacity of another resource. In the AC integration, both the wind and solar systems integrated to the step-up transformer and HT output of both the systems are connected to the common AC busbar.
The wind and solar potential rich sites near Power Grid Corporation Of India Limited (PGCIL) substations are targeted to create techno commercially optimal solutions of the hybrid system design. The various combination of wind solar hybrid system design provides the capacity utilisation factor (CUF) in the range of 35 % to 48 % depending on the solar heavy configuration or the wind heavy configuration of the project in different parts of the country.
Finding the optimum solution is a very complex exercise and one needs to understand the potential of both resources – wind and solar. This means an ideal location should have good irradiation and also experience high wind speeds. Evacuation infrastructure facilities should also be available in the neighbourhood of the potential area.
The biggest beneficiary states for wind solar hybrid plants are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. The feasibility of the hybrid project is also depending upon the land, permits and approval process of the state.
A cost-effective design is a priority for planning a wind solar hybrid power system. The various aspects that are optimally adjusted before commencing are size, fluctuation of load and energy generation estimation. But, some design considerations such as wind solar hybrid ratio, DC side overloading in solar, annual degradation of PV panel and technology selection of solar and wind are also important.
Optimising the right hybrid curve in the energy mix gives viable new renewable energy options in India. It could also emerge as a saviour for India’s wind sector and at the same time create power in peak hours and better energy mix into the grid. The wind solar hybrid market will grow very fast and an under-construction project soon creates the operational history and dispatchable energy in the country.
Source: T&D India