EQ Magazine September REI 2021 Special Edition Part B by EQ Int'l Solar Media Group

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VOLUME 13 Issue #09 (B)

Disclaimer,Limitations of Liability While every efforts has been made to ensure the high quality and accuracy of EQ international and all our authors research articles with the greatest of care and attention ,we make no warranty concerning its content,and the magazine is provided on an>> as is <<basis.EQ international contains advertising and third –party contents.EQ International is not liable for any third- party content or error,omission or inaccuracy in any advertising material ,nor is it responsible for the availability of external web sites or their contents

BUSINESS & FINANCE

SHAKTI PUMPS EYES RS 2,000 CR TOPLINE IN FY22 ON SIGNIFICANT DEMAND REVIVAL

14 INDIA INDIA ONLY COUNTRY IN G-20 WHICH IS MOVING FAST TOWARDS ACHIEVING ITS CLIMATE GOALS: PM

INDIA

INDIA ADDED 26 UNICORNS THIS YEAR, RANKS HIGHEST IN DAILY STARTUPS ADDITION: INVEST INDIA CEO DEEPAK BAGLA

18 BUSINESS & FINANCE

RIL SUBSIDIARY TO INVEST $50 MLN IN US-BASED ENERGY STORAGE COMPANY

The data and information presented in this magazine is provided for informational purpose only.neither EQ INTERNATINAL ,Its affiliates,Information providers nor content providers shall have any liability for investment decisions based up on or the results obtained from the information provided. Nothing contained in this magazine should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sale any securities. The facts and opinions stated in this magazine do not constitute an offer on the part of EQ International for the sale or purchase of any securities, nor any such offer intended or implied Restriction on use The material in this magazine is protected by international copyright and trademark laws. You may not modify,copy,reproduce,republish,post,transmit,or distribute any part of the magazine in any way.you may only use material for your personall,NonCommercial use, provided you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices. want to use material for any non-personel,non commercial purpose,you need written permission from EQ International.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

ENERGY STORAGE

TESLA’S TEXAS ELECTRICITY RETAIL OPERATIONS TO LEAN ON BATTERY STORAGE EXPERIENCE

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INDIA

INTERNATIONAL

THIS HYBRID HYDRO-SOLAR POWER VENTURE COULD SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THAILAND

BRITISH-INDIAN CLIMATE MINISTER ALOK SHARMA IN INDIA AHEAD OF COP26 IN UK

22 33

ENERGY STORAGE

SAUDI ARAMCO ENERGY VENTURES INVESTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE COMPANY

ASIA PACIFIC

INTERVIEW

WORK STARTS ON 145 MW FLOATING SOLAR PLANT IN INDONESIA

MR. SUNIL BADESRA

RENEWABLE ENERGY Two-Third of India’s Renewable Energy Capacity By 2030 Would Be From Solar: Union Minister

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Who Created the Renewable Energy Miracle ?

24 ENERGY STORAGE VRB ENERGY BREAKS GROUND ON 100MW / 500MWH FLOW BATTERY AND GIGAFACTORY IN CHINA

ASIA PACIFIC TESLA MOBILE APP VERSION 4 ADDS ‘GO OFF-GRID’ FEATURE TO ALLOW SOLAR AND POWERWALL USERS HAVE MORE CONTROL

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SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

ber 2021 (B)

tem | Issue- Sep Volume- 13

India’s Oldest

ion- 10 Sept

| Dt. of Publicat

& Leading Solar

- 15 Sept 2021

Posting 2021 | Dt. of

e- 01 | Rs. 5/- | Pag

Media Group

Adani Solar is the solar manufacturing arm of Adani Group, a USD 13 billion Indian conglomerate and one of the India's largest business houses with businesses spanning across Resources, Logistics, Energy, Agri and ancillary Industries. Adani Solar is India's largest Solar PV Cell and Module Manufacturer expanding to 3.5 GW capacity at Mundra. It is the fastest growing Rooftop and distributed solar EPC company with projects over 250 MW commissioned and over 400 MW under execution. Adani Solar is... - India's 1st company with vertically integrated businesses that offers services across the spectrum of photovoltaics manufacturing. The Company offers high efficiency Multi, Mono PERC and Bifacial modules with superior efficiency, higher performance and enhanced reliability. - 1st manufacturer in India with IEC 2016 certification in all SKUs. - Accredited as Tier-1 supplier by BNEF - Only Indian manufacturer to be awarded as Top Performer by DNV-GL PVEL Global reliability testing for two consecutive years.

India’s Oldest & Leading Solar Media Group

India’s Oldest & Leading Solar Media Group

India’s Oldest & Leading Solar Media Group

India’s Oldest & Leading Solar Media Group

interview

MR. SUNIL BADESRA COUNTRY HEAD, SUNGROW INDIA

World’s most bankable inverter brand, Sungrow has installed over 182 GW of solar inverters in more than 150 countries. Sungrow has the world’s largest inverter factory, including a 10GW manufacturing capacity in India. The journey of Sungrow India Private Limited started in the year 2014, and it has achieved over 9.5 GW+ shipments to date. Sunil Badesra, Country Head- Sungrow India in a conversation with EQ Magazine informed about his company, targets, technology roadmap, challenges, opportunities and more, along with sharing his views on BIS, tariff barriers, Inverters- Make in India etc. Check the excerpts from the interview here. EQ: How many Inverters have you supplied to India till now? What is the target/expectation for this year and next year? SB: In India, Sungrow has achieved 9.5 GW shipments up till now, and we are expecting to do another 1.5 GW of dispatch in the next four months, with a target to cross 11 GW by the year-end. EQ: Please share the Road Maps – Pricing, Technology etc.? SB: Inverter plays a major role in optimizing the cost, and Sungrow provides cost optimization to the customers through innovative solutions. Inverter cost is around 6% of the total project cost. The tariffs are going

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

down, but it would not affect the project cost majorly. In past, a gradual decline in prices has been observed, however in recent past the raw material cost shown rising trends, due to this, if continues, the inverter prices can go up in the future. Let’s see how the market changes and Sungrow always move along with the market. EQ: Budget 2021 increased Import Duty as BCD on Inverters in India. Do you think the government will increase it more in the near future? If yes, do you plan to make it in India?

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interview SB: Sungrow already has a manufacturing set up in India, and we’ve been pushing the government for the last three years to impose the duty. The government has imposed a 22 percent duty on inverters which is still less according to us. Many competitors have dropped the prices, and rather than focusing on local production, their focus is on price reduction. With a unique perspective, our focus is on the manufacturing setup in India and therefore, we are expanding it from 3 GW to 10 GW annual production including PCB manufacturing line and Testing facilities. Further, Sungrow is committed to improve the capacity required as per the market demand. EQ: The Government of India has been voicing concerns about malware, etc. in Solar Inverters and its possible effects. What are your thoughts? SB: Malware issues would not arise, if the server used in any project by the customer is used locally. Maximum developers and EPCs in the market are using their own servers without depending on Chinese servers or suppliers. Sungrow doesn’t have any server facility in China, we can say that no data being assessed in country other than India. Recently, the government asked Sungrow to submit a declaration that all the data obtained from the inverter will remain within India and Sungrow confirmed the same. In my opinion, the malware concern would not be there if developers and EPCs use reputed brands. The risk might exist with the small Tier III kind supplier where the major focus is on the pricing. Such challenges are unlikely to occur with global brands. EQ: What are the biggest challenges in India’s goal of 175 GW by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030? How much can we achieve by 2022, 2025 and 2030? SB: In my opinion, India can achieve the target of 175 GW. The next target of 450 GW by the year 2030 is also achievable. The coming policies are supporting the mission, but the challenge is that the policies need to be planned in advance. Stable policies are required to take care of inverter, modules or other suppliers whose components are used in the solar projects. We want the government to address those challenges. EQ: What are your views on BIS and other tariff barriers? SB: All the inverters that Sungrow is selling in India, especially Make in India inverters are BIS certified. This is a good initiative, but policy deviations keep on happening. Few challenges exist as well, for instance, we don’t have any lab that can test 1500V inverters, If such challenges are addressed in advance while drafting the policy, it would help all manufacturers as well as the government at implementation and execution stage. EQ: What are your views on Inverters- Make in India? SB: Sungrow is always promoting “Make in India”, which is the best part where we talk about such a big GW capacity in India, which is not limited to modules but inverters, cable and the major components used in any solar project also part of it. SUNGROW have a 10 GW setup here in India. EQ: Please tell us about the World Market Scenario including China, and its impact on pricing and availability of inverters in this year and Expected Pricing & Availability in next year? SB: Fortunately, we are not facing challenges that are generally coming in the module segment. We have seen that raw material costs, especially silicon, and others have gone up, affecting the pricing of the modules. The fluctuation in pricing is hampering the projects in the market. Fortunately, this sort of thing is not happening in inverters. The raw material cost is going up, despite that, it is manageable so far. If it keeps rising, then inverter prices will increase globally as well. EQ: What are the current opportunities and the biggest challenges in Indian Solar Market? SB: A lot of big projects are coming in all segments like Utility, C&I, the MSME sector and other sectors like residential are also booming. C&I segment is playing a vital role in achieving solar target. There is no limitation in residential. We have such a big population and potential in India for the residential segment. Currently, I think it is not going up to the mark, but I would say that it will grow a lot in the coming years. In India, we are full of potential which can be utilized in the solar segment.

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From challenges perspective, especially, in the residential segment, the policies keep on changing. There are some challenges related to government policies, which is a major parameter not only for the investors and manufacturers but for overall solar development growth like Net metering policy. Such problems come up regularly until the policies are not aligned as per the market requirement. EQ: What are the expectations from the Indian Government, Policy Makers and Regulators? SB: As a manufacturer, we want the kind of PLI scheme, which has been given to the module manufacturer and missing for the inverter manufacturer. In my opinion, if such motivations also continue for inverter manufacturers, then it will help the solar and renewable market in India. Aside from this, the policies/guidelines that hamper the project timeline and other things should be avoided. As a supplier, we understand if delay happens because of the pandemic, but like in the case of tariff revision, they are expecting revision in products and pricing as well, which negatively impact the market. These kinds of things should not happen as it demotivates manufacturers and developers. EQ: What are your views/opinions on Aggressive Bidding despite many challenges? SB: Aggressive Bidding is amongst the things that we don’t like either. The inverter is a small contributor to the project cost. At least, we want it to stop here. Beyond this, it is going to hamper the overall Indian solar industry, probably in terms of quality. Some suppliers may compromise, but Sungrow is not on that list. Tariffs should be reasonable so that everyone can survive, and the Indian Government, as well as endusers, can benefit from them. We are innovating products without compromising the quality and continue to offer the products that can optimize the customer’s BOS cost. EQ: The recent aggressive bidding by various developers keeping Solar Tariffs in the price range of Rs.1.99-2.50 per kWh in various Solar Tenders. What is your view on the viability, Costs & timeline pressures, Resource Challenges? SB: Inverters are playing a very vital role in optimizing the BOS cost for the customers. As a solution provider, we always suggest to customers the kind of product they need as per their project requirements. Accordingly, they keep on optimizing their project cost. That is the reason they could achieve these tariffs. We have all products that can suit any kind of requirement. So, it is up to the developers which kind of product they want to use for their project. EQ: Kindly enlighten our readers on the performance of your Inverters in India in various geographic locations and customer feedback? SB: Seven years ago, we commissioned our first project with a string inverter, and it’s almost six and a half years since we first installed our central inverter. The same customer has given us multiple orders in the last six years, reflecting our product quality and service offerings. Sungrow has wide experience in India. In the Rajasthan area, string and central both are commissioned in high-temperature zones and operating perfectly fine. We have supplied our string and central inverters in other areas, like the ones near the sea, and performing well. So, we have products that can sustain all kinds of environments. So, geographic location of project is not a challenge for us. We have many performance appreciations letters from our customers in all the segments. EQ: We’d like to know about some noteworthy projects, case studies of solar plants built using your solar Inverters. SB: One of our projects is in Rajasthan where customers tried both central and string inverters. In recent days, there is debate on which inverter (central or string) is more suitable

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

interview for the projects. The customer has done that kind of project and testing where they have used our hosting in central inverters, and they are using it for more than two years. Now, the customer has realised through experience that there is not much difference in generation between string and central inverters, which is generally claimed by only string inverter suppliers and the claim of generation difference between string and central inverter is more than 3% or 4% " is not the truth. We have both products and say with the transparency to our customers that string and central inverter delta depends on the land and other factors. That is one of the case studies that we have done in India with the support of our customers, and we got to know that the string inverter is suitable for small kinds of projects and in hilly terrain whereas central inverter is recommended, where land is not the issue and the land is big and flat. EQ: Please tell us in brief about your company. SB: Sungrow India is a big team, and we are continuously growing. It is more than seven years in India, and we are going to be in this market for a long time. With the kind of products and solutions we offer to Indian customers, I am confident that Sungrow is going to remain in this market forever. EQ: What is the size of your company in terms of manufacturing capacities, growth chart, future expansion plans, revenues, shipments etc.? SB: In total, including India and oversees set up, Sungrow has 90 GW of annual production capacity of inverters. Worldwide, it is happening somewhere in between 140 to 150 GW of solar development. Sungrow is ready for fulfilment of future demand; therefore, we have a capacity of 90 GW. We have storage solutions as well and a separate set-up for that. In terms of finances, Sungrow is a listed company so everything is open. In India, we have 10 GW manufacturing set up and we have the service team and operations set up. Everything is ready in India. EQ: Describe the various technologies and their suitable applications such as Central Inverter, String, Micro Inverter, 1500V inverter, Outdoor, Container solutions etc.? SB: We have the products which suit the requirements of all the customers as per their project. We have string inverters, majorly used for the rooftop segment and utility-scale (provided the land is uneven). If it is small project size, we always recommend from our side that string inverters are better. Whereas in case, customer has a big land, and the land is flat, it is always recommended from our side to use the central inverters. On technological front, 1500V inverters are already there in the market. Looking forward, we are expecting that this voltage is going to be higher, may be 2100V and 3000V is going to come in the coming years. In terms of micro-inverter, it is a bit costlier. So as per the Indian market scenario, I would not recommend these kinds of inverters because we have seen many companies which keep on launching new products but later on when products need service, they are not able to provide them. So, I would say it is better to use new technology. The new technology keeps on coming in string and central inverter as well. We have all the products which are required by the Indian industry. We are continuously launching our new innovative products, in future also, we are ready for the kind of requirement that comes. EQ: Kindly comment on Energy Storage as a game-changer, its technology, cost trends etc. SB: In energy storage, recently there were two tenders - one in Chhattisgarh and the other one is in Leh. We have proposed our solution to EPCs and the developer, who are bidding on this project. In past, the storage was not taken so seriously, and now it is considered seriously. Still, the storage solution is not getting viable. Customers are expecting better pricing, but we are also dependent on our vendors. So, battery pricing is going to take some more time.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

I think the EV and storage market is going to move together. Maybe after three or five years, we can expect to see some sharp price decrease in the battery pricing. After that, I would say that the energy storage market will pick up. Right now, projects are happening but not to that level. Energy storage has good potential, and Sungrow is also looking at it. EQ: Kindly highlight your product, technology & company USP’s, distinctive advantages etc. SB: Sungrow is a Global company and that’s our major strength. Our products have been accepted across the Globe, reflecting the quality and different kinds of solutions the company provides. We keep on growing and launching new products as per customer requirements. EQ: Explain various guarantees, warranties, insurance, certifications, test results, performance report of your inverters. SB: Sungrow already have all kinds of international test certifications, which are required for any kind of inverters. We have done that even for Indian factory as well because we know that production location has changed so we want our customers to have that confidence in our products. That’s why we have different certifications for India. We are having all the international standards, even the local standards like the BIS standard. We already have those kinds of documentation and all the third-party lab certifications with us. EQ: What are the trends in new manufacturing technology equipment, materials, processes, innovations etc.? SB: Till now, majorly assembly was happening in the production in India. Sungrow is taking the next step now, even though we are setting up the assembly line manufacturing here. All the PCBs used inside the inverters are going to get locally manufactured. We are doing this because we have a long-term plan to stay in India. We want to make as much as we can make this product locally and support ‘Make in India’ initiative. We are targeting to have at least 50% of local content, by this assembly line manufacturing under the latest technology, testing laboratories and other things in our factory. We are going to have a world-class testing facility in our factory. EQ: What is your commitment to the solar sector in India? SB: Our commitment to the solar industry is to provide a good quality product, good quality service. In the end, we want to contribute as much as we can. At least we are targeting to achieve 40 per cent of what the government is targeting. EQ:How much is your R&D budget as in percentage of your sales or profits? SB: Sungrow invests 40% of its profit back to R&D. We understand that till the time we don’t invest in R&D, no company can survive for a longer time. Sungrow has been surviving for the last 23 years and the reason is the investment which we have for R&D. EQ:What will be the cost, technology trends in solar nverters? SB: Currently, we are on 1500V, and in future, we may see that the DC voltage may increase to 2100V or 3000V. On the AC side, maybe, in coming years, we can see that transformer is getting replaced, and inverter can directly feed power to 11KVA or 33KVA. That is the expectation in the coming years because our R&D is working hard on that. So, these are the few technology change we may expect in the inverter segment. Thin-film capacitors and other things are coming in the inverter, so size is going to reduce. In the future, if there is not much impact on raw materials costs, we can expect some price drop. EQ:What are the expectations from Tech Suppliers like Modules, Inverters, BOS, Trackers etc? What is the tech solution you are thinking of deploying? SB: Everything has to go together for any technology up-gradation. All these complement each other. Technology up-gradation is happening in all the fields, and this market is going to innovate constantly. Otherwise, it is going to be tough for everyone. Aggressive bidding and other things will not be possible that easily.

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india

BRITISH-INDIAN CLIMATE MINISTER ALOK SHARMA IN INDIA AHEAD OF COP26 IN UK “India has a vital role to play as the world comes together in Glasgow to demonstrate renewed action under the Paris Agreement,” said Sharma. A British-Indian Cabinet minister in charge of the UK’s presidency of the COP26 climate summit in November will hold discussions with senior Indian ministers and leaders from industry and civil society ahead of the summit in Scotland, during which India is seen as critical to world leaders agreeing climate action targets.

It is expected that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the flagship event, scheduled between November 1 and 12. “India has a vital role to play as the world comes together in Glasgow to demonstrate renewed action under the Paris Agreement,” said Sharma. “India’s leadership – including through the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure – is hugely important as we look to build global resilience ahead of COP26 and beyond. All countries – including the UK and India – have a historic opportunity to build back greener from the COVID pandemic,” the 53-year-old minister said.

roviding climate resilient jobs that also promote economic growth will lead to a green industrial revolution that also makes financial sense, he added. This is Sharma’s second visit to India this year, during which he is expected to meet with Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and R K Singh, Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy. The British government said with fewer than 100 days to go until the landmark summit in Glasgow, the ministerial visit represents the UK’s commitment to raise global ambition on climate action for a balanced and inclusive outcome at COP26. In his meetings with key climate stakeholders, Sharma is scheduled to point to the role India can play at the summit through profiling its ambitious domestic plans, and by joining the growing number of countries who have updated their 2030 emissions targets under the Paris Agreement.

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“The COP26 summit this November is our last best chance to set the world on the path towards a global warming limit of 1.5 degrees,” said Alex Ellis, the British High Commissioner to India. “India is already taking impressive action, for example on renewables. With most of the infrastructure that India will need by 2040 yet to be built, it can lead the way in new clean technology and infrastructure. As Prime Ministers Johnson and Modi agreed in the 2030 Roadmap, the UK and India are committed to working closely on this journey – in the run up to COP26 and beyond,” he said. This comes as the UK calls on all G20 countries to sign up to net zero, set out clear plans to cut emissions by 2030, and commit to ending coal power, transitioning to electric vehicles, and restoring nature, with the richest nations providing financial support to the rest of the planet to go green. The British government pointed to the UK and India already working “closely together”, including research and innovation for a clean energy transition and to improve global resilience – through the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Green Growth Equity Fund. During the November summit, the UK is set to host the UN climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow in partnership with Italy. “This will provide an opportunity for the world to come together and commit to urgent action. The UK is already setting a strong example on climate action, with a legally binding target to cut emissions to net zero by 2050,” the British government said. Sharma recently faced some UK media criticism for his many international visits in his role as COP26 president-designate, but Downing Street has defended the tours as it reiterated that “some travel to key countries for faceto-face talks is essential”. Source : PTI

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

india

INDIA ONLY COUNTRY IN G-20 WHICH IS MOVING FAST TOWARDS ACHIEVING ITS CLIMATE GOALS: PM India is the only country in the group of G-20 countries which is moving fast towards achieving its climate goals, Prime minister Narendra Modi said, asserting that it is giving equal emphasis to environmental security as to national security.

odi said India has also made a move towards electric mobility and the work on 100 per cent electrification of the railways is also progressing at a fast pace. The Indian Railways has set a target of becoming Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030. Along with all these efforts, the country is also emphasising on Mission Circular Economy, he said. ‘Our Vehicle Scrap Policy is a great example of this. Today, India is the only country in the group of G-20 countries which is moving fast towards achieving its climate goals,’ the prime minister said in his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort. India is a vocal voice in the area of environment security, Modi stressed. ‘We are giving equal emphasis to environmental security as to national security. Be it biodiversity or land neutrality, climate change or waste recycling, organic farming, India is progressing in all these sectors,’ he said. ‘India has increased the forest area or the number of national parks, the number of tigers and the Asiatic lion and it is a matter of happiness for the people. At the same time, one also has to understand another truth that India is not energy independent today,’ Modi said.

He said India spends more than Rs 12 lakh crore annually for energy imports. For the country’s progress, India’s energy independence is the need of the hour, necessary to make a self-reliant India, he said. ‘Therefore, today India has to make a resolution that we will make the country energy independent before the completion of 100 years of Independence and for this, our road map is very clear. Be it a gas based economy, a network of CNG, PNG across the country, a target of 20 percent ethanol blending, India is moving ahead with a set goal,’ Modi said. He added that India has set a target of 450 GW of renewable energy by the end of this decade and 450 GW by 2030. ‘Out of this, the target of 100 GW has been achieved by India ahead of schedule. These efforts are also giving confidence to the world. The formation of the International Solar Alliance is a great example of this,” he pointed out.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

‘Whatever work India is doing today. There is the biggest goal which is going to give quantum jump to India in the field of climate, that is the area of Green Hydrogen,’ Modi said. To achieve this goal of Green Hydrogen, he also announced the National Hydrogen Mission. ‘We have to make India a global hub for production and export of Green Hydrogen during the Amrit period. This will make India’s new progress in the field of energy self-reliant and will also become a new inspiration for clean energy transition all over the world. New opportunities from Green Growth to Green Job are knocking today for our start-ups for our youth,’ Modi said India will have to augment both its manufacturing and exports. He said just a few days ago, India launched its first indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant for trial in the sea. ‘Today India is making its own indigenous fighter aircraft, its own submarine. Gaganyaan is also slated to hoist India’s flag in space. This itself is evidential of our immense capabilities in indigenous manufacturing,’ he said. The prime minister said India will further accelerate its efforts towards the Blue Economy. ‘The Deep Ocean Mission is the result of our ambition to explore the unlimited possibilities of the ocean. The mineral wealth which is hidden in the sea, the thermal energy which is in the sea water, can give new heights to the development of the country,’ he said. Source : PTI

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india

ONGC LOOKS AT ACQUISITIONS FOR 10 GW RENEWABLE AIM India’s top explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp is looking at acquisitions in order to have 10 gigawatts (GWs) of renewable energy capacity by 2040, chairman Subhash Kumar said.

enewable seems to be making lots of business since today and we are looking at the possibility of inorganic investment in renewables, Kumar told an analysts’ conference, after the company’s June quarter earnings. India has set up ambitious target to raise its renewable capacity to 450 GWs by 2030 from the current 100 GWs to cut dependence on thermal power generation and reduce pollution. ONGC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the country’s top utility NTPC Ltd to study the setting up of offshore wind and other renewable energy projects in India and overseas. Kumar said his company is looking to rope in foreign partners for exploring new areas, including its deepwater oil and gas block in the east coast to monetise the reserves quickly.

Source: Reuters

VILLAGERS PROTEST ENCROACHMENT OF FARMERS’ LAND BY SOLAR COMPANY Solar power project companies being set up in various parts of Jaisalmer district are encroaching upon pasture lands and fields, irking the locals. Villagers at Uttamnagar Lal Karada gram panchayat here staged a protest outside the collectorate against a renewable power company allegedly encroaching upon the ‘khatedari’ land of farmers and doing fencing over it.

olar power project companies being set up in various parts of Jaisalmer district are encroaching upon pasture lands and fields, irking the locals. Meanwhile, BJP leaders supporting the villagers, submitted a memorandum to ADM Hari Singh Mena and demanded action against the company. The protesting villagers said the private solar company is doing injustice with poor farmers by forcibly encroaching the ‘khatedari’ land. The villagers alleged that through wrong measurement at khasra no.106 and 107, the tanks, fencing etc made in the ‘khatedari’ land of Jagmalram, Dalaram, Durgaram, Jhabraram and Devaram were damaged and the company forcibly possessed the land and started work there. The villagers alleged that when the women working in the fields protested, the company officers misbehaved with the women and started work there by scaring them.

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The villagers protested along with the BJP on the matter. BJP district president Chandra Prakash Sharda said that the private company officers were in connivance with local tehsil administration and that police tried to forcibly possess the ‘khatedari’ land of one Chutraram and Gumanaram and others at khasra no. 106 and 107. Source: TNN

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

india

UNION POWER MINISTER REVIEWS ISSUES OF INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS (IPPS) Union for Power and NRE Shri R.K. Singh met the members of Association of Power Producers (APP). The Minister heard the issues raised by members of APP and gave instructions to Ministry of Power (MoP)

eeping in view the increasing power demand, the Minister emphasized the need for making certain that the entire established power generation capacity is utilized. For this, he directed for streamlining and simplifying guidelines/procedures for short term coal linkage auctions under SHAKTI B (viii) (a) for Thermal Power Plants not having Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): (a) Ministry of Power (MoP) has agreed for three separate windows for auction namely, 3 months, 6 months and one year. MoP in consultation with Ministry of Coal (MoC) will ensure its implementation. (b) In order to make coal available for longer period, MoP will examine whether duration of auction can be extended for more than one year. Issue of Bank Guarantee is also to be examined if duration has to be extended beyond one year.

SHAKTI B (iii) auctions (Coal linkage for projects without PPA): As per policy, PPA (long term/medium term) needs to be submitted within two years after auction of coal. APP requested for extension of time line in view of lack of PPAs in the market. APP also requested to reduce the Bank Guarantee. MoP agreed to examine the request in consultation with Ministry of Coal (MoC).

Atmanirbhar Bharat: In the liquidity infusion scheme, Equal treatment may be given to all Gencos on First In First Out (FIFO) Basis. Installation of FGD:- It was suggested to examine the Orders of CERC in terms of recovery of depreciation and interest rate allowed for recovery. Revival of gas based plants: APP requested for separate window for auction of gas for power plants. Issue to be taken up with Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Mega Power Policy:-The request for suitable amendment in the policy is being taken up through inter-Ministerial consultation. MoP advised IPPs on reciprocal basis not to derail the regulation of power by Central Gencos in case of nonpayment of dues by DISCOMs.

INDIA AMONG TOP 3 DESTINATIONS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: AMBANI India ranks among top three most attractive destinations for renewable energy in the world, said Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani adding that the target of 175 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in the country by December 2022 is well within sight.

e said the counry has already achieved a major milestone of 100 gigawatts installed renewable energy. “India is today among the top three most attractive destinations for renewable energy. The target of 175 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by December 2022 is now well within sight,” said Ambani in his address at International Climate Summit 2021

Sharing his perspective on making the country a global leader in green energy revolution in forthcoming years, he said that by taking advantage of over 300 sunny days in a year, India can easily generate over 1,000 GW of solar energy on just 0.5 per cent of our land. Last year, Ambani had announced to make Reliance a net carbon zero company by 2035. “This year, I presented our strategy and roadmap for the new energy business which will be the next big value creation engine for Reliance and India. We have started developing the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex over 5,000 acres in Jamnagar,” said Ambani. He also said that Reliance will establish and enable at least 100 GW of solar energy by 2030.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

“This will create a pan-India network of kilowatt and megawatt scale solar energy producers who can produce Green Hydrogen for local consumption. This will bring enormous benefits and prosperity to rural India,” said the RIL Chairman. Source: ANI

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india

INDIA ADDED 26 UNICORNS THIS YEAR, RANKS HIGHEST IN DAILY STARTUPS ADDITION: INVEST INDIA CEO DEEPAK BAGLA Invest India CEO Deepak Bagla said that India is number three in the world in terms of number of unicorns, second in number of startups and stands first in the number of startups added everyday.

t an event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he also said that this year, one out of every 10 unicorns has been born in India and the country has added 26 unicorns this year, taking the total to 63. “India has 739 districts and over 85% of them have a startup which is registered with the government. The solutions these startups bring are easily executable and economical. That’s the strength of this innovation.” Bagla said.

He also said that in the last 60 months, over a thousand research and development centres of multinational corporations opened in the country and today India is the number one destination for such centres of MNCs outside of their headquarters. “The inherent strength of our MSMEs and entrepreneurs and their ability to be nimble in their operations has fast tracked innovation,” he said.

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On India receiving $81.72 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) in FY21, the highest ever, Bagla said, “In global FDI positioning, we moved from number 10 to 5 within one year itself… This $81 billion came from 89 countries and across 63 sectors and green energy and sustainability are in top 5 of those.” Emphasising that growth today can’t be any other colour but green and it has to be sustainable, he said India’s population would be 1.5 billion by 2025-26 and being sustainable is crucial. Referring to the Paris climate agreement, he said India is probably the only country which is ahead of the milestones required. “The other element is the entire supply chain element in this industrybe it solar, hydrogen, and these are critical if you want to create the position of a market leader,” Bagla said. On the issue of financing green energy, he said the cost of green power has become much lower and competitive to many traditional forms of fuel, and that India has the cheapest solar and wind power and hoped to see the same with hydrogen as more scales are achieved. Source : ET

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

business & finance

RIL SUBSIDIARY TO INVEST $50 MLN IN US-BASED ENERGY STORAGE COMPANY

Reliance Industries (RIL), along with strategic investors Paulson & Co. Inc. and Bill Gates and a few other investors, has announced an investment of $144 million in Ambri Inc, an energy storage company based in Massachusetts, USA.

aulson & Co. Inc., founded in 1994, is a private investment management firm headquartered in New York. The firm invests in public and private market securities across different sectors and industries. Ambri Inc. has developed and is commercializing a new, long-duration battery technology that will enable widespread use of renewable energy sources, reduce electricity costs, and enable power systems to operate more reliably and efficiently. The liquid metal battery project began at MIT in the lab of Professor Donald Sadoway, and the company was formed in 2010 when the project achieved significant technical breakthroughs. Prior to this capital raise, Ambri’s investors included Bill Gates, Khosla Ventures, KLP Enterprises, TOTAL SE and Building Insurance Bern (GVB).

The investment, which is being done by RIL’s wholly owned subsidiary Reliance New Energy Solar (RNESL), will help Ambri commercialise and grow its long-duration energy storage systems business globally. RNESL will invest $50 million to acquire 42.3 million shares of preferred stock in Ambri. Based on patented technology and designed to last between 4-24 hours, Ambri’s long duration energy storage systems will break through the cost, longevity and safety barriers associated with lithium-ion batteries used in grid-scale stationary storage applications. They will enable a crucial energy storage solution capable of supporting the increasing amounts of renewable energy being integrated into electric power grids. RNESL and Ambri are also in discussions for an exclusive collaboration to set up a largescale battery manufacturing facility in India, which could add scale and further bring down costs for Reliance’s green energy initiative. Addressing shareholders in June this year, RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani had announced plans to build a giga factory in Jamnagar for the storage of intermittent energy, as part of the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex project. We are exploring new and advanced electro-chemical technologies that can be used for such large-scale grid batteries to store the energy that we will create. We will collaborate with global leaders in battery technology to achieve the highest reliability for round-the-clock power availability through a combination of generation, storage, and grid connectivity, Ambani had announced.

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Ambri can cater to projects that require energy storage systems from 10 MWh to over 2 GWh. The company will manufacture calcium and antimony electrode-based cells and containerised systems that are more economical than lithium-ion batteries, capable of operating safely in any climatic condition without requiring supplemental air conditioning and meant to last for over 20 years with minimal degradation. Ambri systems are particularly suited for high-usage applications, such as shifting energy from daytime solar generation to evening and morning peak load times. The company is securing customers for large-scale projects with commercial operation in 2023 and beyond. RIL is the largest private sector corporation in India. Its activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail and digital services. The conglomerate reported a 7.3% fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 12,273 crore on a 58.6% rise in net sales to Rs 139,949 crore in Q1 FY22 over Q1 FY21. The RIL scrip was up 0.47% at Rs 2087 on the BSE. Source : capital markets

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business & finance

SHAKTI PUMPS EYES RS 2,000 CR TOPLINE IN FY22 ON SIGNIFICANT DEMAND REVIVAL Solar water pump maker Shakti Pumps expects to more than double the topline to Rs 2,000 crore this fiscal on the back of more adoption of its products by farmers which is being driven by the heavy central and state subsidies that run up to 90 per cent.

he company closed FY21 with a topline of Rs 930 crore, which was nearly three times its previous year revenue. Of the past year revenue, Rs 560 crore came in from solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) business (setting up the full unit) and Rs 180 crore from exports, Dinesh Patidar, chairman and managing director of Shakti Pumps has said. Shakti Pumps, which has manufactured the country’s first BEE 5 star-rated pumps and is also the first domestic company to produce 100 per cent stainless steel pumps and energy efficient motors, was founded in 1982 in Pithampur, near Indore.

At present, its products reach as much 125 world markets. The company has filed for 20 patents since it pioneered the solar water pumps in 2010. Other key players in the solar water pump market include Alpex Solar, Bright Solar, Claro Energy, Conergy Energy, Tata Power Solar Systems, Lorentz, Greenmax Technology, and Udhaya Semiconductors and so on. Shakti Pumps has two plants in Pitampur with a cumulative production capacity (solar and motorised) of 5 lakh units per annum in two shifts and 3.5 lakh units in single shift. Its special economic zone (SEZ) unit near-by can produce 1.5 lakh units per annum. We expect robust demand for solar water pumps this year as there is increasing awareness about the huge financial benefits from them and the good monsoons giving them enough liquidity, Patidar said.

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“Accordingly, FY22 revenue should more than double to Rs 2,000 crore. The export front also looks promising as we just bagged a Rs 250-crore order from Uganda. This should help us net Rs 500 crore from exports this fiscal year,” Patidar told PTI, adding and earn around Rs 75 crore in net income. The entry into southern markets, especially Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu should also boost volumes, he said. Shakti Pumps has installed over 1 lakh solar pumps out of (1.2 lakh installed) since it entered the segment in 2010 and in FY21 it had installed 20,000 units under the EPC model (setting up the solar water pump unit along with the solar power panel units) and 15,000 units were sold to others who install such pumps across. Its main markets are Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, MP and Chhattisgrah, while Andhra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu are the new growth markets in a year or two from now, Patidar said. Shakti Pumps has over 260 pump models and over 1,000 stockkeeping unit (SKUs) with their capacity ranging from 300 watts to 300 kilo watts. On average, a solar pump unit costs around Rs 2.15 lakh and goes up depending on the wattage and load capacity. It procures solar units from the Adani Group, he said. Patidar expects significant volume growth over the next two years due to increasing application in domestic and agriculture sectors, rising government support (central subsidy of 30 per cent and states offering up to 65 per cent), and low maintenance cost. Maharashtra is significantly contributing to the market growth offering up to 95 per cent in capital subsidy to farmers, he said. The centre has set a target to install 1 million solar water pumps by 2021 for irrigation and drinking water purposes. According to him, a farmer/user can recover the entire cost within a year. Shakti Pump shares were trading over 1 per cent lower against their previous close on BSE at Rs 708.70 apiece in afternoon trade. Source : PTI

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

business & finance

ARRAY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ANNOUNCES $500 MILLION CAPITAL COMMITMENT FROM BLACKSTONE Array Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRY), one of the world’s largest manufacturers of utility-scale solar technology, announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell up to $500 million of perpetual preferred stock to private equity funds managed by Blackstone Energy Partners (“Blackstone”).

nder the terms of the agreement, Array will sell $350 million of perpetual preferred stock to Blackstone at the initial closing and, at the Company’s option, up to an additional $150 million of perpetual preferred stock at any time prior to June 30, 2023. The perpetual preferred stock will be entitled to cash dividends at a rate of 5.75% annually and, subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals, Blackstone will receive 7.875 million shares of Array common stock representing approximately 5.8% of shares outstanding. Array intends to use the proceeds from the initial closing to repay existing indebtedness and fund growth initiatives. In connection with the investment, Blackstone will appoint one member to the Company’s board of directors.

This investment and its terms underscore the preeminent position that Array occupies in the solar industry and is a tremendous validation of the Company’s long-term growth potential. Marrying our technology and customer relationships with the financial strength and global reach of Blackstone makes us even stronger and positions Array to be a consolidator during this period of extraordinary supply chain disruption. I look forward to working together with our new partners at Blackstone to further grow the Company and accelerate value creation for our shareholders, said Brad Forth, Chairman of Array Technologies.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

Investing in Array is an opportunity for us to partner with an established solar industry leader and highlights Blackstone’s commitment to investing in companies that are enabling the transition to clean energy. We believe Array will be one of the long-term winners in the solar equipment market and that this investment will allow the company to accelerate its internal and external growth plans. We are very excited about what we will be able to achieve working together in the coming years, said Bilal Khan, Senior Managing Director of Blackstone. Additional information regarding the investment and the perpetual preferred stock will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Array with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Guggenheim Securities, LLC, acted as exclusive placement agent and financial advisor to Array. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as the Company’s legal advisor and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as Blackstone’s legal advisor. Source : itnewsonline

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energy storage

HONEYWELL LAUNCHES BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM PLATFORM TO HELP USERS FORECAST AND OPTIMIZE ENERGY COSTS Battery storage will play a crucial role in grid stability as organizations transition to clean power generation – Scalable platform can improve resiliency, reduce supply costs and support corporate sustainability goals.

oneywell announced its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Platform, which integrates Honeywell asset monitoring, distributed energy resource management, supervisory control and analytics functionality to enable organizations to accurately forecast and optimize their overall energy use. Honeywell’s BESS Platform leverages best practices for energy management such as energy arbitrage and demand management to deliver flexibility and control of when energy is purchased and used.

The platform is ideal for a wide range of commercial and industrial companies, independent power producers and utilities. The BESS Platform is backed by Honeywell performance-based guarantees, which include predictable and consistent costs along with improved uptime. “Honeywell has delivered large, turnkey automation and control projects around the world,” said Eren Ergin, general manager, Renewables and Distributed Assets, Honeywell Process Solutions.

“We’re delivering Renewables and Distributed Assets projects such as our Battery Energy Storage System Platform with a similar turnkey approach. From the physical storage assets to the automation software being utilized, customers can benefit from Honeywell performance-based guarantees.” Honeywell’s BESS Platform improves grid stability and sustainability while decreasing supply costs. If a generator fails or goes offline for any reason, the platform reduces the need to bring additional, non-renewable power generators online. In this scenario, a remote facility can maintain operations as the platform runs in parallel with traditional generators. The system can then restart the disconnected generator or initiate back-up generator sets before returning to standby mode. In addition, the BESS Platform can reduce the need for non-renewable power sources such as gas turbines and diesel generators and their associated high gas consumption rates, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint. Honeywell will support customers with a variety of solutions, including small pilot projects and programs covering multiple sites.

ABOUT HONEYWELL PERFORMANCE MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES (PMT) Honeywell PMT develops process technologies, automation solutions, advanced materials and industrial software that are transforming industries around the world. PMT’s Advanced Materials businesses manufacture a wide variety of highperformance products including environmentally preferable materials used for the production of refrigerants, blowing agents, aerosols and solvents, pharmaceutical packaging, fine chemicals, additives and high strength-fiber for military, law enforcement and industrial use. Technologies developed by Honeywell UOP (www.uop.com), a leading provider in

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the oil and gas sector, form the foundation for most of the world’s refiners, efficiently producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, petrochemicals and renewable fuels. Honeywell Process Solutions (www.honeywellprocess.com) is a pioneering provider of automation control, safety systems, field instrumentation, fuel delivery and burners, connected plant offerings, cybersecurity, tissue and packaging materials control systems, connected utility and metering solutions, and services for a wide range of industries. Source: altenergymag

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

energy storage

SAUDI ARAMCO ENERGY VENTURES INVESTS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY STORAGE COMPANY

Energy Vault, a creator of renewable energy storage products, announced new investment from Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the strategic technology venturing program of Aramco.

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Swiss-based, global energy storage company specialising in gravity and kinetic energy based, long-duration energy storage products, Energy Vault, announced a new investment from Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), Aramco’s enterprise investment unit. The Swiss startup will be using the funds to expand the deployment of its technology globally. The breakthrough technology is designed to enable intermittent renewable energy generation to be stored at GW-hour scale both economically and sustainably, to deliver dispatchable power on demand, which is ideal for companies that have 24/7 power needs and are making a transition to clean energy. Energy Vault’s pioneering technology was inspired by pumped hydro plants that rely on the power of gravity and the movement of water to store and discharge electricity. The fundamentals of the technology uses gravity to move water through custom-made composite blocks through an innovative use of local, low-cost materials and sophisticated material science. The blocks are combined with Energy Vault’s proprietary system design and machine vision, AI-enabled software to operate a specially designed crane which uses proprietary technology to autonomously orchestrate the lifting and lowering of the blocks, thus storing the potential energy at height and then discharging electricity as the blocks are lowered and generating electricity. Importantly, the blocks are made from locally sourced soil, sand or waste materials, including outputs of fossil fuel production, such as coal combustion residuals, and end of life energy components, such as wind blades.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

“Our mission at SAEV is to invest in companies developing technologies with strategic importance to Aramco. Energy Vault’s innovative energy storage technology has unique environmental and economic benefits. We are excited to help Energy Vault further accelerate the global deployment of its technology,”

said Mahdi Aladel, CEO of Aramco Ventures.

To be able to further optimise its energy storage technology platform and address both higher power and variable duration needs, Energy Vault launched EVx, a pioneering product platform that sets a new industry benchmark in nergy storage economics. The new platform offers full flexibility in terms of duration because energy and power are decoupled, allowing deployments for both high power/shorter duration needs (2-6 hours) in addition to longer duration storage applications (6-12 hours+). “Energy Vault has made rapid and meaningful progress over the last 12-18 months as we completed the first commercial-scale deployment of our technology and we are pleased to have SAEV’s support as a strategic partner,” said Robert Piconi, CEO and co-founder, Energy Vault. Source: oilandgasmiddleeast

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energy storage

ROUNDUP: AFRICA SOLAR-PLUS-STORAGE PROJECTS FROM JINKO, DHYBRID, JIRAMA

DHYBRID said its microgrid controls and SCADA enable the battery system in Somaliland to operate either as part of the grid, or alongside it.

adagascar’s first utility-scale solar PV plant gets expansion and battery retrofitMadagascar’s first utility-scale solar power plant is to be retrofitted with battery storage and a 20MW expansion of its generation capacity. The 20MW Ambatolampy photovoltaic (PV) power plant in the central highlands of the island nation off the east coast of the African continent, went into operation in 2018.State-owned utility JIRAMA and power project company Green Yellow Madagascar, which developed the plant, said earlier this month that the plant will be expanded to 40MW capacity and fitted with a 5MWh battery system.Construction is scheduled to begin this month and the upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Green Yellow Madagascar is jointly owned by French clean energy company GreenYellow and pan-African industry group Axian and the shareholders approved the financing of the more than EUR17 million (US$20.26 million) investment required. Financial backing has come from French investment bank Société Générale, the Private Infrastructure Development Group — which supports infrastructure investment in southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa — and economic development group African Guarantee Fund, along with Madagascan banks BMOI and BNI Madagascar. All of those were involved in the financing of the existing first phase of the Ambatolampy plant.

JINKOSOLAR SUPPLYING TURNKEY DC-COUPLED BATTERY SYSTEM TO WEST AFRICA Solar PV module manufacturer JinkoSolar said that it will deliver a 1.2MWh battery energy storage system for an undisclosed customer in West Africa.The company is ranked as a member of the elite ‘Solar Module Super League’ by our sister site PV Tech and in-house analysis group Solar Media Market Research.JinkoSolar said that it will supply a full turnkey DC-coupled battery storage system with integrated batteries, power conditioning system (PCS), EMS software and other required components.

“For us, this is a milestone project of delivering ESS system to Africa. It is one of our initial storage projects globally on this scale using DC-coupling,” JinkoSolar’s chief marketing officer Gener Miao said.“Africa is a very promising market for energy storage due to relatively poor state grid infrastructure and high electricity price, there is a strong potential to replace peaker gas or coal fired plants in Africa with cleaner alternatives like solar made dispatchable using batteries.” DC-coupling is growing in popularity in established solar PV markets like the US due to the lower required balance of plant costs and ability to capture ‘clipped’ solar power from times of peak production versus AC-coupled plants.The batteries are charged up directly from the plant when there is surplus energy production that would otherwise be lost and then stored before being injected into the grid when needed and can also be used for grid services like frequency regulation or commercial and industrial (C&I) peak shaving.

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MICROGRID PROJECT HELPS LOWER ELECTRICITY COSTS FOR SOMALILAND PORT CITY German microgrid tech company DHYBRID said that a project it has recently completed in Somaliland will help reduce the costs of electricity for customers in the port city of Berbera.Two solar PV plants totalling 8MW of capacity, as well as a 2MWh containerised lithium-ion battery energy storage system and three diesel generators are combined within local utility Berbera Electricity Company’s electrical grid.DHYBRID supplied microgrid monitoring and controls technology including its open-technology Universal Power Platform (UPP) and a SCADA system. The company also supplied Maximum Inverter Power Tracking (MIPT) technology to maximise the output of the solar arrays.The battery storage system is apparently Somaliland’s largest to date and is used to help make the grid more stable, while the microgrid has enabled the increase of distribution load-bearing capacity and efficiency of power generation.According to a press release from DHYBRID sent to Energy-Storage.news last week, the Berbera city grid’s power factor has increased by 20% since the microgrid was added.Somalia and the Republic of Somaliland have high electricity prices, but the project has enabled the local utility to reduce costs and correspondingly reduce the electricity tariff to customers. The local port in Berbera is undergoing a half billion dollar expansion and the city also has airports. DHYBRID said that new power generation assets being built, including solar PV plants, require coordination via central controls systems of the type the company has deployed, to help integrate these new resources while keeping the grid and reliability of supply stable.“Various generators within the grid must be continuously coordinated, especially when renewable energies are involved. Otherwise, problems with the grid frequency and voltage will become unavoidable, making it impossible to utilize all the available power, ” DHYBRID CEO Benedikt Böhm said.“It is simply not enough to just consider the solar capacity available. Effective grid management is essential.”

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

energy storage

VRB ENERGY BREAKS GROUND ON 100MW / 500MWH FLOW BATTERY AND GIGAFACTORY IN CHINA An official ceremony was held in Hubei Province, China, as work began on the first phase of a 100MW / 500MWh vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) system which will be paired with a gigawatt of wind power and solar PV generation.

anada-headquartered flow battery energy storage system manufacturer VRB Energy is constructing the project, beginning with a 100MWh initial phase. Alongside it will be 500MW of distributed rooftop solar installations. Commissioning is scheduled to take place before the end of 2022. Toronto Stock Exchangelisted minerals and energy company Sparton Resources, an investor in VRB Energy through one of its subsidiaries, VanSpar Mining, announced the 29 August ceremony to mark the start of construction in a press released. The ceremony was hosted at Xiangyang New High-Tech Park in Hubei by privatepublic development company Hubei Green-Move Zhongvan New Energy (Green Move ZF). Flow battery cell stacks at VRB Energy’s demonstration project in Hubei, China. Among others in attendance were local Xiyang Municipality Senior Party and Government leaders and representatives from the Hubei State Power Investment Group — which part-owns Green Move ZF along with the renewablesplus-storage project’s main investor, Hubei Pingfan Ruifeng New Energy Technology. Construction of the large-scale project follows on from a successful 3MW / 12MWh demonstration which was combined with 3MW of local solar PV. VRB Energy CEO Dr Huang Mianyan, who has previously noted that Hubei is rich in vanadium resources which will provide electrolyte materials for the massive system, said that initial demonstration project is “working well”.

Daqing, northeast China. Elsewhere, the company also netted a recent investment worth US$24 million from BCPG, a renewables company headquartered in Thailand.

CHINA’S MEGAPROJECTS COULD LEAD THE WAY The operation has fully confirmed the huge application value and market prospects of VRB Energy’s storage technology and will promote the grid connection and on-site consumption of renewable energy. “The opening ceremony marks the official construction stage of the 100MWh all-vanadium flow battery energy storage project, which will accelerate the promotion of energy storage using vanadium flow battery energy systems in Hubei,” Mianyan said. A framework agreement signed in March for the project between VRB Energy and its local stakeholder partners also paved the way for a 1,000MW per annum VRFB ‘gigafactory’ to be built in the region, as well as an R&D centre. According to Sparton Resources’ press release, the entire 1GW of solar and wind with the 500MWh of flow battery capacity will cost around RMB 9.32 billion (US$1.44 billion), with the first phase requiring investment of around RMB4.32 billion (US$667 million). VRB Energy’s technology was also selected recently for installation at a Chinese government scientific facility to help develop China’s carbon neutral policies, with a 125kW / 500kWh unit to be used at China State Power Corporation’s new National Photovoltaic and Energy Demonstration Experimental Center in

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

The project is part of China’s national Carbon Neutral and Carbon Peak Strategy. An even bigger VRFB plant is under construction in Dalian Province by a Chinese company, Rongke Power, with 200MW rated output and 800MWh capacity. While there has been growing interest in vanadium flow batteries around the world, with manufacturers springing up in the US, UK, Germany and Australia, in terms of downstream demand, the handful of (very) largescale projects China has been pushing to support since 2017 dwarf most of the rest of the world’s end-markets — so far. In a recent interview for our quarterly journal, PV Tech Power, Erik Sardain, an analyst with critical minerals intelligence group Roskill said that if China’s VRFB market takes off and helps drive the country towards its 2060 carbon neutrality target while setting up a significantly scaled industry, the rest of the world could follow. “I believe that the VRFB story is going to be driven by China, because it’s not only based on economics, it’s also based on politics. Because if the Chinese government says, “Let’s go for it,” then they will go for it,” Sardain said. “If it’s successful, China is going to show the way. And basically the rest of the world is going to follow after that.” Source: energy-storage

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energy storage

BATTERY MODULE AVAILABILITY COULD MAKE-OR-BREAK ENERGY STORAGE PROVIDERS, EGUANA TECH SAYS Supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic hit Canada-headquartered residential and small commercial battery storage company Eguana Technologies’ sales figures hard, the company has said.

he company sells its own branded range of battery systems using both lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells as well as supplying to customers that use Eguana products in their own energy storage systems. In reporting its quarterly financial results for the period ending 30 June 2021 (Q3 2021 according to Eguana’s financial year reporting), the company said gross margins on its energy storage systems were up significantly, but sales volumes were also down. Gross margins were at 6.3% for the year-to-date 2021 at CA$251,895, compared to 1.1% for the nine months up to the end of June 2020 (CA$59,312). Meanwhile, product sales were down for that period by 28%, from CA$5,572,415 for 729 units sold in September 2019 to June 2020 to CA$4,007,321 for 458 units sold in nine months up to the end of June 2021. Company management said that this was down to “a result of continued supply chain disruption and raw material delivery delays due to COVID-19. It expects to see a continuation of quarterly fluctuations in revenues, with the pandemic remaining a factor, along with what Eguana called variability in timing of customer purchase decisions and market growth rates. It has used proceeds of a private placement to enable it to shore up its inventory by moving from batch manufacturing to flow manufacturing. The company’s net losses for the year-todate over three quarters stood at just over CA$7.9 million compared to CA$6.26 million in the equivalent period last year, which had been a 154% jump over the equivalent period in 2019. Having never managed to make a profit so far and having accumulated a deficit of nearly CA$85 million, Eguana admitted that its ability to continue as a going concern depends on ability to complete equity or debt financings as well as turning its sales and engineering services operations into profitable ones.

The Covid-19 supply disruptions have had an acute impact on shipping costs, depressing product gross margins. We estimate that under normalised shipping conditions, product gross margins would have been approximately 11% and should continue to trend upwards as volumes increase and cost reduction programs continue, CEO Justin Holland said.

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COMPANY HOPES VPPS, FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING STRATEGY, CAN TURN AROUND FORTUNES Some recent highlights that the company will be hoping start to turn around its fortunes include the first order in a total US$3.6 million booking from the Hawaiian Electric company for an Emergency Demand Response Program, which the utility formed to help mitigate shortfalls in electricity as a result of a planned coal power plant closure. Eguana also wants to expand the terms of its partnership with Japanese conglomerate ITOCHU in key markets like California and Australia and has entered into negotiations with an unnamed “multi-national battery company” to supply storage systems under a white label manufacturing arrangement. Eguana is hoping its systems will be more widely used in various virtual power plant (VPP) programmes around the world, is developing its own battery management system (BMS) and has doubled manufacturing capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic is particularly impacting circuit board component and semiconductor chip supply chains, while growth in related industries like electric vehicles (EVs) is driving up demand for a limited supply of chips. Having used its private placement money to strategically build raw material and component inventory, Eguana is hoping to reduce long-term impacts. Eguana also has its own control platforms for battery storage systems, making it less dependent on outside suppliers than some competitors. “While Covid-19 supply disruptions continue to create challenges, Eguana has successfully demonstrated its ability to engineer component flexibility, a key competitive advantage of our advanced power controls that we expect to help offset the on-going supply disruptions,” Eguana CEO Justin Holland said. However, company management believes that availability of battery modules will be “the defining success factor for residential and commercial energy storage manufacturers”. It is pinning at least some of its hopes in that regard on a partnership with Norwegian battery manufacturing startup Freyr and its technology partner, semi solid advanced lithium battery tech company 24M. 24M, a spin-out from MIT labs, has signed a number of partnership deals with companies in the space that have spied its potential in the last couple of years. “The 24M technology is targeted to deliver a 30%-40% reduction in battery costs versus current available technology. Itochu has brought multiple 24M licensees to the table and completing the BMS architecture is a key milestone to opening up future battery channels and cost savings for Eguana products,” Holland said. Source: energy-storage

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

energy storage

TESLA’S TEXAS ELECTRICITY RETAIL OPERATIONS TO LEAN ON BATTERY STORAGE EXPERIENCE Tesla’s planned launch of a retail electricity offering to existing customers within the ERCOT service area in Texas will lean heavily on battery storage as well as solar for its expertise, assets and routes to market.

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ewly-created subsidiary Tesla Energy Ventures filed an application in mid-August with the Texas Public Utilities Commission (PUC), for certification as a Retail Electric Provider (REP) within the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) jurisdiction. ERCOT serves more than 80% of Texas’ electric load and has become a leading market for wind, solar and latterly battery storage in the US. Tesla Energy Ventures hopes to be registered and ready for testing for its ability to meet ERCOT requirements in October. The subsidiary’s leadership team is headed up by four Tesla team members, who have a combined 15+ years of experience in the competitive electric industry, as required. Its president, Ana Stewart has been Tesla director of regulatory credit trading since 2017 and was at SolarCity prior to its Tesla acquisition.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

In the filing with the regulatory PUC two affiliates to Tesla Energy Ventures are listed as certified to provide electric service in Texas: Gambit Energy Storage, LLC, — the 100MW+ battery storage system project Tesla is reportedly developing in the state — and Giga Texas Energy, LLC, which is thought to relate to renewable energy and battery facilities for the company’s Texas factory which is under construction. Scheduling of the retail electricity offering will be managed by ENGIE Energy Marketing North America, an arm of European multinational energy company ENGIE. Tesla Energy Ventures will manage forecasting. According to the filing, Tesla Energy Ventures “will leverage forecasting tools, capability and knowledge already in place to support its utility-scale battery storage system in ERCOT as well as its retail offerings and virtual power plant (VPP) programmes operating today in places ranging from Australia, California, Vermont, Germany and the United Kingdom (UK).”

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international

FOREIGN INVESTORS INCREASE ACQUISITIONS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS IN VIETNAM Foreign investors from China, Thailand, and Singapore are increasingly acquiring renewable energy projects located at strategic positions from domestic enterprises.

hinese investors are increasing their ownership in numerous renewable energy projects in Central Vietnam, the Central Highlands region, and Southwest Vietnam. Notably, in Dak Nong Province, the joint venture between Hung Bac Energy Investment JSC and The North Investment Construction and Development JSC are developing three wind farms with a total capacity of 300MW and the total investment capital of VND10.5 trillion ($456.5 million). 80 per cent of the investment capital would come from loans. According to newswire Theleader.vn, Sungrow Power (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. holds a 70 per cent stake in the joint venture. Sungrow Power (Vietnam) was established in September 2019 with the charter capital of VND23.4 billion ($1 million), under Sungrow Power (Singapore) Pte., Ltd. – a Chinabased renewable energy group. In Binh Thuan Province, Hong Phong 1 Wind Power JSC planned to develop a 40MW wind farm with the cost of VND1.7 trillion ($73.9 million). However, the construction of the project has yet to be kicked off and the board of directors proposed the province to transfer the stake in Hong Phong 1 Wind Power JSC to foreign investors. Three months since Hong Phong 1 Wind Power JSC sent the proposal, the company now has two

large foreign shareholders namely Indochina Wind Pte., Ltd. (Singapore), and Asian Wind Power 2 HK Ltd. (Hong Kong), which hold 51 and 48.9 per cent, respectively. Asian Wind Power 2 HK Ltd. (Hong Kong) is also one of the investors Binh Thuan People’s Committee approved the investment planning for Hong Phong 2 wind farm project in July 2020. TTC Group co-operated with Gulf Group (Thailand) to develop TTC 1 and 2 Solar Power Plants in Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Zone, Trang Bang District, Tay Ninh Province. At first, Gulf owned 49 per cent in the joint venture, however, the figure has increased to 90 per cent in September 2019. Besides, Gulf spent $200 million to buy into two onshore wind farms (Ia Pech 1 and Ia Pech 2) in Gia Lai Province from Dien Xanh Gia Lai Investment Energy JSC. The construction is expected to start this year and the two projects will come into effect in the fourth quarter of 2022. The Thai investor also owns a 95 per cent stake at Mekong Wind Power JSC. The company operates the Mekong Project comprising of a 30MW solar farm and a 310MW offshore wind farm. The Mekong Project is located in Binh Dai District of Ben Tre Province in Southern Vietnam. The first 30MW component of the project is expected to enter commercial operation in 2021. The second phase of approximately 49MW is also scheduled to begin operating in 2021, and the 231MW third phase is expected to come into operation between 2022 and 2023.

JINKOSOLAR AWARDED TOP 1 PRESTIGIOUS MODULE PV BRAND IN VIETNAM WITH OVER 2.5GW SUPPLIED IN 2020 JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company”) (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, announced that it has been awarded Top 1 Prestigious Module PV Brand in Vietnamese Market 2020 voting jointly organized by the National Steering Committee for electricity Development of Vietnam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), and Vietnam Energy Magazine.

ccording to the 2020 Vietnam Module Shipments Market Report jointly published by MOIT and Vietnam Energy Online, the total installed capacity for Vietnam was around 13.4GW for 2020. JinkoSolar was the top manufacturer with over 2.5GW of solar modules supplied to the Vietnamese market, making up more than 18% market share for the overall market and 36.8% for the utility market in 2020. Vietnam ranked third in the newly installed solar power capacity in the world, right after China and the United States, respectively. The demand for PV modules in Vietnam has also been gradually ramped up towards monocrystalline and large silicon wafers. Higher power generation, higher conversion efficiency and large size design are all important factors to consider for customers with rooftop PV installations. Last year, JinkoSolar launched its ultra-efficient Tiger Pro modules targeted for distributed generation market.With lower LCOE and long-term reliability under all-weather conditions, the Tiger Pro series have become

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the top choice for rooftop installations in Vietnam, leveraging on its ultra-high module power, high conversion efficiency and user-friendly module size.

Mr. Gener Miao, CMO of JinkoSolar Co., Ltd., commented: “Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia Pacific, JinkoSolar’s No. 1 position in the market reflects our excellence in product quality, strong network and customer service in the region. JinkoSolar will continue to promote clean energy transformation and bring more value to our customers with industry-leading technology, superior product quality, and excellent customer service. We are pleased to see more innovative enterprises being recognized by top authorities in Vietnam, as the country continues to advocate for clean energy transformation and to drive the high-speed economic development of Vietnam’s PV market.”

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

international

SPAIN TO SELL GREEN CAPACITY TO CURB FUTURE ENERGY PRICES

Avid natural gas demand and the rising cost of European Union permits to emit planet-warming carbon dioxide have pushed up electricity prices in many countries and prompted political squabbles in Spain.

pain will launch an auction process for renewable generation capacity this week as the country reels from record-high power prices and seeks ways to prevent further price rises, Energy and Environment Minister Teresa Ribera said. Avid natural gas demand and the rising cost of European Union permits to emit planet-warming carbon dioxide have pushed up electricity prices in many countries and prompted political squabbles in Spain.

Madrid wants to increase the level of cheaper renewable energy in the system, and will launch an invitation for bids on worth 3.3 gigawatts of generation capacity, Ribera said. “We are working to ensure that the price of energy does not depend on external factors and carries low costs, as soon as possible,” Ribera said.

But she said it was difficult to manage wholesale power price dynamics while the system is affected by the price of increasingly expensive fossil fuels and external factors. Technologies such as wind and solar have no underlying fuel costs and are cheaper to maintain than fossil-based plants, but they are intermittent so even countries with lots of renewables have kept thermal and nuclear plants for backup. Power prices in Spain – and closely-connected Portugal – have scaled record highs this summer, market operator OMIE says. A heat wave in recent days boosted air conditioning use and helped to raise the day-ahead average price over 117 euros ($137.66) per megawatthour on Aug 13. Easing temperatures, a recovery in wind, and lower projected demand because of a public holiday brought prices down to around 89 euros per megawatthour. Spain has criticised the rules underpinning the European energy market, which set prices according to the most expensive generator needed at a given time. This means more expensive fossil fuel rather than cheaper green power dictates the price at times of high demand. Source: Reuters

UK GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES STRATEGY FOR LOW-CARBON HYDROGEN PRODUCTION The British government launched a strategy to meet its goal of 5 gigawatts of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030 to replace natural gas in powering around three million homes, as well as industry and transport.

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he government aims to replace gas with “green” hydrogen, made through electrolysis powered by renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, as well as “blue” hydrogen, which is made from natural gas and steam. Unlike green hydrogen, blue hydrogen is not emissions-free, but the carbon emissions are captured, stored and used in other applications. A UK hydrogen economy could be worth 900 million pounds ($1.25 billion) and create over 9,000 jobs by 2030, potentially rising to 100,000 jobs and worth up to 13 billion pounds by 2050, the government said.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

As part of the strategy, it said it has launched a consultation on types of support for hydrogen projects that could bring the costs down, along the lines of its contracts-for-difference (CfD) scheme that incentivises investment in renewable energy. Under the CfD scheme, the government guarantees qualifying projects a minimum price at which they can sell electricity, with renewable power generators bidding for CfD contracts in a round of auctions. The government will also review the support necessary for network and storage infrastructure; work with industry on the feasibility of mixing 20% hydrogen into the existing gas supply, and launch an action plan early next year on how to help companies secure supply chain opportunities. It will also consult on the design of a 240 million pound net zero hydrogen fund to support the commercial development of lowcarbon hydrogen plants. Source: Reuters

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international

CLIMATE GROUP APPOINTS SUMANT SINHA AS TRUSTEE ON UK BOARD FOR 3 YEARS In a statement issued here, Climate Group said it welcomes the two new trustees, Meryam Omi and Sumant Sinha, to the UK board.

ondon-based Climate Group announced the appointment of Sumant Sinha, chairman and managing director of domestic renewable energy company ReNew Power, as a trustee on its UK board for three years. Besides, Meryam Omi, head (sustainability and responsible investment strategy) at Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM), has also joined as a trustee on the board of the non-profit organisation.

Joan MacNaughton, chair of the board of Climate Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sumant and Meryam to Climate Group’s UK board, strengthening our links and understanding with the global investment industry, and also with important renewable investors in India, a country that is central to the global energy transition away from fossil fuels.” The addition of Omi’s expertise in financial services comes at an opportune time. MacNaughton said India is also facing change at the moment, looking for ways to rebuild post the pandemic in a resilient and sustainable way. Sinha already plays a key role in advising the Climate Group in India. His expertise will also contribute to activities in the UK. “I’m delighted to join the board of Climate Group, which has been driving companies to embrace and achieve ambitious targets to create the net-zero carbon future. “With experience of engaging with companies and creating sustainable investments, I hope to add value to the critical discussions and help find solutions for the low carbon transitions,” Omi said.

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On his appointment, Sinha said, “I am delighted to be part of the board of trustees of the Climate Group. I have been associated with Climate Group for the past three years and I believe their work is crucial in strengthening the collaborative efforts in meeting the Paris Agreement goals and mitigating the impact of climate change on global communities.” Founded in 2003, Climate Group is an international non-profit organisation with offices in London, New York and New Delhi. It works in the area of climate action. It works with governments and business leaders and decision makers with the goal of achieving a world of net-zero carbon emission by 2050. Source: PTI

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

international

OVERLOADED RENEWABLE ENERGY AFFECTS POWER SYSTEM OPERATION Excess renewable energy has affected power system operations in Vietnam, said the leader of the National Power System Dispatch Centre of Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

xcess renewable energy has affected power system operations in Vietnam, said the leader of the National Power System Dispatch Centre of Vietnam Electricity (EVN). Nguyen Duc Ninh, director of the centre, said during a dialogue between EVN’s leaders and electricity experts on the operation of the national power system in Hanoi on May 4 that the increasing solar and wind power was causing many difficulties in the operation of the power system. According to Ninh, the proportion of renewable energy currently contributed up to 60 percent of the peak load at noon and was prioritised for use at a maximum level, meaning the centre had to stop buying power from hydroelectricity sources around the time. As the result, the hydropower plants in central and southern Vietnam, with nearly 8,000MW, had to stop working at noon to prioritise the purchase of renewable energy. The centre also said from 2019 to the end of 2020, there was a boom in renewable energy from solar and wind power. For example, Ninh Thuan province has the largest rate of renewable energy in the country with thousands of MW, but has very low demand for electricity itself so it transfers most of the production to other localities. As of April 2021, out of the total power capacity, the country has 7,700MW of rooftop solar power and about 9,200 MW of farm solar power. The current capacity of wind power projects of 612MW was expected to increase up to 4,5005,400MW between September and October this year. The centre, which is responsible for ensuring normal operation of the electricity market in Vietnam, added the phenomenon of redundant renewable energy was now affecting the operation of the power system, such as overloaded local lines and large gap in load between peak and off-peak hours.

“The current shortcoming is that the PPCs of provinces do not consult the electricity sellers about difficulties in operation and connection when they approved the energy projects so it leads to a lack of control in the development of renewable energy projects over time.” Sharing the same view, Ha Dang Son, director of the Centre for Energy and Green Growth Research, said that the explosion of solar and wind power projects in recent years mainly comes from the fact that local authorities have approved too many projects. Nguyen Minh Khoa, head of EVN’s legal department, said in accordance with the Law on Investment, the Provincial People’s Committee will approve investors of solar and wind power projects. When the local authorities issue a project license, EVN is not allowed to refuse to buy electricity from those projects but only take part in price negotiations. At first, EVN strived to operate all the sources with the lowest total production cost. The main reason for the issue was the low demand for electricity, the lack of synchronous investment in grid projects and the slowdown of the economy and the widespread influence of COVID-19. The group will continue to review, update, and adjust the processes to suit the electricity system’s operating conditions. Ngo Son Hai, EVN’s Deputy General Director, also said that the reduction of renewable energy sources has been reported to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. He added that according to the ministry’s guidance, as renewable energy sources are overloaded, they will be a priority to be used the most. Once the mobilisation remains redundant, they will be equally cut to fit the situation.

Tran Dinh Long, Vice President of the Vietnam Electricity Association, said at the dialogue: “The boom in renewable energy projects is leading to difficulties in state management,” adding:

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

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international

THIS HYBRID HYDRO-SOLAR POWER VENTURE COULD SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THAILAND

Thailand is creating one the world’s biggest floating hydro-solar hybrid projects on the surface of a dam, which is close to completion.

he state-run Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT) aims to replicate this at eight more dams over the next 16 years.Head of the initiative Chanin Saleechan has said this could generate 2,725 megawatts of electricity, once all the projects are completed in every dam. Thailand is aiming to draw 35% of its energy from non-fossil fuels by 2037. About 144,417 solar panels are being installed on a reservoir in the northeast province of Ubon Ratchathani, where workers are completing the last of seven solar farms covering 300 acres (121 hectares) of water. The state-run Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is touting the pilot project as one

It is aiming to draw 35% of its energy from non-fossil fuels by 2037, according to its latest Power Development Plan. Since November, EGAT has been putting together floating solar platforms at the Sirindhorn dam, one of the country’s largest hydropower sites, which it says should be able to generate 45 megawatts of power. An Energy Management System will be used to switch between solar and hydropower, depending on which can generate more electricity, a hybrid system Chanin said allows continuous power generation. In August 2020, EGAT governor Viboon Rerksirathai was quoted in the Bangkok Post as saying that the state utility had power reserves of 40% of total

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of the world’s largest hybrid hydro-solar power ventures and aims to replicate it at eight more dams over the next 16 years. The state-run Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is touting the pilot project as one of the world’s largest hybrid hydro-solar power ventures and aims to replicate it at eight more dams over the next 16 years. “When all the projects are completed in every dam, we will have total capacity to generate 2,725 megawatts,” project head Chanin Saleechan said. Thailand has long relied on coal for power, but plans for new coal-fired projects have been met with opposition over health and environmental risks, and two proposed southern coal plants were shelved in 2018.

capacity but that it plans to reduces those reserves to 15% to curb high electricity costs. Witoon Permpongsacharoen, director of Bangkok-based non-governmental group, Energy and Ecology Network, said the floating solar-hydro plan could create unnecessary and potentially costly excess capacity.

“The issue here is, there is a high level of electricity reserves, so the investment on this green energy is being done without considering demand,” he said. “Of course we support the investment on renewable energy over fossil fuel. But our priority is also energy efficiency.” Source: weforum

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

asia pacific

JAPAN TARGETS FLOATING WIND FARMS FOR ITS DEEP COASTAL WATERS There are a number of projects in Japan focused on floating offshore wind. In June, a consortium made up of six companies was selected to develop a 16.8 megawatt floating offshore wind farm in waters off Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture. RWE Renewables and Kansai Electric Power have signed an agreement that will see the two businesses “jointly study the feasibility of a large-scale floating offshore wind project” in waters off Japan’s coast.

n a statement issued, RWE Renewables’ Sven Utermöhlen said his firm saw “great potential for floating wind farms worldwide — but especially in countries with deeper coastal waters, like Japan.” Indeed, the project announced, is not the only one in Japan focused on floating offshore wind. In July, self-described “cleantech company” BW Ideol said it had signed a joint development agreement with energy firm ENEOS Corporation to develop a “commercial-scale floating offshore wind farm” in waters off Japan’s coast. In June, authorities in Japan said a consortium made up of six companies — Toda Corporation, Osaka Gas, Kansai Electric Power, ENEOS Corporation, INPEX Corporation and Chubu Electric Power — had been selected to develop a 16.8 megawatt floating offshore wind farm in waters off the coast of Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture. There were no other bidders for the project.

Floating offshore wind turbines are different to bottomfixed offshore wind turbines that are rooted to the seabed. By contrast, RWE describes floating turbines as being “deployed on top of floating structures that are secured to the seabed with mooring lines and anchors.” One advantage of floating turbines is that they can be installed in deeper waters compared to bottom-fixed ones. As the Carbon Trust, an advisory firm, notes: “Sites further from shore … tend to benefit from more consistent wind resource, meaning floating wind can deliver higher yields.” Floating offshore wind is still in its early stages of development and costs will need to be driven down going forward. It was only in 2017 that Norwegian energy major Equinor — a major player in oil and gas — opened Hywind Scotland, a 30 megawatt facility it calls “the first full-scale floating offshore wind farm.” For its part RWE, which is headquartered in Germany, is already undertaking work on three demonstration projects in Spain, the U.S. and Norway. It’s also looking into whether bottom-fixed offshore wind projects are feasible in parts of Japan. In another announcement, also issued, RWE said it would be reorganizing its renewables business. Under the new structure, its offshore and onshore renewables businesses will be managed separately. Utermöhlen will have responsibility for RWE’s offshore wind division, with Silvia Ortín Rios heading up onshore wind and solar photovoltaic. The collaboration between RWE and Kansai Electric Power comes after Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry published a draft of its sixth Strategic Energy Plan last month. According to research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie, the draft included “major changes” to the country’s targets for its power generation mix in the fiscal year 2030.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

Included in the draft targets is a significant increase in renewable and nuclear shares of the generation mix and hydrogen/ammonia is mentioned for the first time, Lucy Cullen, a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, said in a statement at the end of July. Such a plan is not without its hurdles. “Our current outlook for renewables is a 30% share by 2030, so the proposed 36% renewables share is a stretch,” Cullen said, referencing the draft’s goal for renewables to have a 36% to 38% share in the power generation mix. “It can only be possible with additional government support.” Of the draft’s nuclear target, Cullen called it “perhaps the most critical and uncertain component.” “METI continues to back nuclear and maintains the previous 20-22% target,” she said. “Safety regulations, on-going opposition and rising costs continue to plague restarts to date and make this an incredibly challenging target to meet. The outlook for restarts remains highly risked in our opinion.” Source: cnbc

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asia pacific

WORK STARTS ON 145 MW FLOATING SOLAR PLANT IN INDONESIA The Cirata Floating Photovoltaic Power Plant project is set to be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia and one of the largest in the world. Construction work has started on a 145MW floating solar power plant in Indonesia following financial close achieved by the developers.

he Cirata Floating Photovoltaic Power Plant project, set to be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia and one of the largest in the world, it is expected to provide enough electricity to power 50,000 homes. It will also help offset 214,000 tons of carbon emissions a year and contribute to the creation of up to 800 jobs. The project supports Indonesia’s goal for 23% of its electricity coming from renewable sources by 2025 under its Electricity Infrastructure Acceleration Programme.

Masdar and PT PJBI, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s stateowned electricity company PT PLN are developing the project, which is scheduled to start commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment for the Republic of Indonesia and Chairman of the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board said: “The Ministry of Investment fully supports the investment realisation of the Cirata Floating Solar Project by PT PJBI and Masdar. This is a flagship project of the UAE’s investment in Indonesia and most importantly, it is in line with the Indonesian Government target in renewable energy mix of 23% by 2025".

“This project represents the UAE’s first investment in Indonesia’s renewable energy sector and we look forward to further collaboration between our countries, as we leverage our natural resources to build a more sustainable future.” Source: energylivenews

WPD TO SOON LAUNCH 1.5 MW OF SOLAR PROJECTS IN TAIWAN German renewables developer Wpd AG announced that it will soon start building three solar photovoltaic (PV) projects with a combined capacity of some 1.5 MW in Taiwan. The largest of the three is a 1-MW rooftop solar project located in the city of Taoyuan, an industrial centre adjacent to New Taipei. There, Wpd will install the array on top of a hall complex of materials manufacturer Manloy Metal Industrial Co Ltd. The rooftop scheme is Wpd’s largest solar PV project in Taiwan to date, and will be capable of generating 1,251 MWh of green power, the German renewables operator said.

he remaining two projects will result in ground-mounted solar farms totalling some 0.4 MW. The installations will be located in close proximity to each other in Chiayi County in the western part of Taiwan. The three solar plants will operate under 20-year power purchase agreements that Wpd signed with Taiwanese grid operator TPC, the German company added. Wpd has so far realised 38 solar PV projects for a total of 9.25 MW in Taiwan.

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Source: renewablesnow

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

asia pacific

REZtoring Solar Investor Confidence in Australia While investor confidence in utility-scale PV has waned somewhat, battery energy storage continues to be popular. Alongside every solar success story is a side note tucked away in the margins; for every new PV plant to go into the ground, the remaining capacity available on the grid shrinks, a little at a time. It’s hardly an issue in those markets where solar – and indeed other renewable technologies – make up a less than significant proportion of the electricity mix, but for Australia – which according to the country’s Clean Energy Regulator added 1.7GW of new large-scale solar in 2020 – it is now very much a problem facing new developments.

ow, that’s not to say that the market is struggling. The aforementioned statistics probably say enough on that matter. There is no shortage of new developments, and optimism in the sector currently seems high.

I think there is plenty of scope for more renewable projects to be completed in Australia, because we’re in the middle of a significant transition away from fossil fuels to green energy, says Morris Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Australian renewables developer Maoneng. This is perhaps reflected in Maoneng’s pipeline, which currently stands at 750MWdc of solar and 1,800MWh of battery storage. However, not every player in the market shares the same outlook, with several notable exits occurring over the past year or so. First up was Australia-based engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) provider Downer Group, which announced its withdrawal from the large-scale solar sector in 2020, with CEO Grant Fenn saying at the time that solar operators were faced with issues around connections, grid stability and equipment performance. Downer would not be the only one. A month later UK-based infrastructure giant John Laing said it would be exiting the solar and wind market due in part to issues such as transmission loss. It followed the company’s 255MW Sunraysia solar project – which it developed with Maoneng – being particularly hard hit by transmission issues as well as delays with the Australian Energy Market Operator’s registration process, which held up the project’s connection to the grid. Next up was New Energy Solar, which sealed its exit from the market with the sale of its 11MWdc Beryl and 56MWdc Manildra PV projects in New South Wales in June 2021. In the company’s FY 2020 results, Stuart Nisbett and Jeffrey Whalan, chair of the responsible entity and chair of the company respectively, said: “Clearly, NEW is an Australian-originated business but the policy and regulatory environment for renewables in Australia is not conducive to growing the business and achieving economies of scale in Australia.”

POLICY: A TALE OF TWO SIDES You’d be hard pressed to find a solar market without at least one policy-related complaint, and Australia is no exception. In fact, policy is one of the biggest challenges facing large scale solar developers today, says Kane Thornton, Clean Energy Council (CEC) chief executive, with “unhelpful and unpredictable government intervention” creating uncertainty for investors. This is of particular note as investor confidence is at its lowest level since December 2019, according to the CEC’s Clean Energy Outlook- Confidence Index.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

Thornton gives example of two new gas plants in New South Wales, with one – to be located in Hunter Valley – to cost the Australian government up to AU$600 million, while the other – developed by EnergyAustralia – was approved by the government of New South Wales in May. However, some government initiatives are certainly to be praised, in particular the Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) initiative. These are areas in the National Electricity Market where clusters of large-scale renewable generators can be efficiently developed, capitalising on economies of scale by connecting large amounts of renewables in the same location. A key element of REZs is upgrading transmission infrastructure to enable the mass deployment of renewa bles, addressing market barriers cited by some of the investors to leave the market. The government of New South Wales launched a registration of interest process in June for Australia’s largest REZ, which is expected to deliver as much as 8GW of capacity. While the NSW government itself has committed AU$78.9 million to its development, the REZ is expected to deliver AU$10.7 billion in private investment. It follows the state seeing a nine-fold oversubscription in interest for its first REZ, receiving 113 registrations of interest which totalled 27GW of capacity. NSW is also not the only state to introduce these zones, with Queensland having also seen a deluge of interest for its planned REZs, with enough projects put forward in 2020 to create 60GW of clean energy in the Australian state. Additionally, Victoria is planning to establish six REZs with the potential to unlock 10GW of additional capacity for renewables. But REZ schemes are not without their failings. “Unfortunately it appears these state government schemes will be negatively impacted by proposed policies from the Energy Security Board (ESB), particularly proposed ‘access reforms’,” Thornton says. The REZ have been designed as a stepping stone towards the proposed access reforms, designed to improve the transmission system. Independent chair Kerry Schott stated in January 2021 that the ESB is concerned about security constraints in some of the NEM as well as increasing pressure on distribution networks from growing rooftop solar penetration, increasing large-scale renewable generation and low wholesale prices.

There are a vast number of measures included within the reforms, although chief among them are those to alter current market operations through the introduction of locational marginal pricing and financial transmission rights, with a proposal to also move to dynamic loss factors, something which the CEC said last year would be “more volatile and unpredictable than the current, already problematic marginal loss factor regime”. “These reforms could make it extremely difficult for solar farms to make the best use of the available grid, which will increase costs for consumers,” Thornton says. While low wholesale prices are a key concern for the ESB – and a motiviating factor behind the reforms – this is not an opinion shared by everyone. The fall in wholesale prices has largely been driven by the boom in residential solar in Australia – with 2.5GW of new capacity installed in 2020 according to the Australian Energy Regulator. www.EQMagPro.com

asia pacific AEMO found that wholesale electricity prices fell up to 68% in South Australia in Q1 2021, with this a result of a sharp uptake in renewables, including rooftop PV, with South Australia’s average quarterly electricity price reduced by AU$10/MWh (US$7.75/MWh). However, Anton Rohner, CEO of renewables project developer UPC\AC Renewables Australia, says: “Downward pressure on wholesale prices from rooftop solar is certainly a factor to be considered, but this must be weighed up against the upward price pressure caused by the closure of ~8GW of coal plants over the next decade, the timing of which may be brought forward by the rooftop solar boom.” Additionally, while changes in wholesale prices can create a challenging environ ment, movements in wholesale prices are a fundamental element of the National Electricity Market and volatility in wholesale prices are a traditional market risk for investors, Thornton says. “What is most important is that these investors have a stable and predictable regulatory environment, so that they can get on with their main focus, which is to manage wholesale price risk,” he says.

REVITALISING A BUCKLING GRID The compressed wholesale prices are then, perhaps, not the most pressing of problems for new developments. Constraints on Australia’s grid infrastructure, however, are proving to be a consistent stumbling block for both new projects – which struggle to connect in the first place, facing uncertainty over connection timelines – and existing projects, which are seeing their output curtailed. “Our grid is simply not fit for purpose as the clean energy transition continues,” Thornton says. While this is an issue impacting developers across the board, Rohner says that some new international entrants into the market in the last few years “haven’t done their homework”, paying particular mention to how transmission rules work in the country in regards to congestion or constraint analysis.

It’s getting harder for us to manage the stability of the power system as the penetration of solar and wind, even at today’s levels, pushes the system to its limits. daniel westerman, ceo, aemo

Several investors have lost their money and are already managing their asset portfolios. We may be heading into a period of consolidation as the larger players shore up their positions in the market, Rohner says. When it comes to mitigating the impacts of Australia’s transmission infrastructure on new developments, there are several options available to developers. First is the method adopted by AC/UP Renewables, which has chosen its project locations on the higher voltage – and more robust – parts of the transmission network where constraint issues are less prevalent. The company tends to go for connections into the 330kV or 220kW system over the 132kV or 66kV sub-transmission system which was until recently the favoured voltage for utility-scale solar plants due to its cost-effectiveness. But this strategy also means larger projects

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are needed to justify the connection costs, indicatively moving from 100MW+ projects up to 400MW size projects, Rohner says. While this helps to circumvent some of those constraints, it is not a fix to the original issue, which Rohner suggests requires significant investment in new transmission infrastructure, something he says is recognised across the industry, including by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the NSW government and transmission operators themselves. Indeed, AEMO has established a joint initiative with the CEC called the Connections Reform Initiative to address connection challenges. It aims to deliver a consistent and predictable connections process that delivers repeatable outcomes, reduce re-work and improve efficiency and quality of information to address information asymmetry and create a collaborative working model between industry, AEMO and the network service providers. The rise in utility-scale renewables is also causing other issues for the grid, however. As penetration increases, the cost of power generation is being pushed to zero and below, prompting spinning thermal generators, which are used for system stability including frequency control and inertia, to disconnect. “It’s getting harder for us to manage the stability of the power system as the penetration of solar and wind, even at today’s levels, pushes the system to its limits,” said CEO of AEMO, Daniel Westerman, giving the keynote address at an event hosted by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) in July 2021.

THE POTENTIAL OF STORAGE A technology capable of supporting both the stability of the grid in the long term and also individual renewable projects in the short term through co-location is battery storage. An oft-heralded technology throughout the power sector, battery storage’s role in Australia’s energy market is no less celebrated. “While there are definitely grid constraints and challenges, battery storage can help alleviate these through its role in providing electricity back into the grid when it’s most needed, helping overcome the intermittency of renewable generation through frequency response and regulation of pricing,” Zhou says, suggesting that more people are realising the crucial role batteries can play at a national level. Indeed, storage is being increasingly paired with solar, and standalone storage developments are also becoming more common. In July, the New South Wales government approved the Stubbo Solar Farm and Battery, a development from UPC/AC Renewables pairing 400MW of solar with 200MW/200MWh of battery storage in NSW’s Central-West Orana REZ. Other recent developments include a 150MW/300MWh project in development in Queensland by state government-owned electricity generation and retail company Stanwell. A spokesperson for Stanwell told PV Tech Power that Queensland experiences some system strength issues in weaker parts of the network, particularly in North Queensland, and that the energy market is rapidly changing. “Our focus has been on identifying battery storage solutions to create value for our portfolio and help facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the energy system. Our models show that a revenue stack is the current commercial pathway for large scale energy storage.” Playing into frequency control and ancillary services markets can be – in particular in South Australia – more lucrative than simply selling energy, according to Jon Ruddick, CFO of Australian microgrid firm eleXsys. Alongside the financial benefits, storage also helps stabilise the grid, allowing for more solar to then be connected, with this forming a positive cycle, he says.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

asia pacific

TESLA MOBILE APP VERSION 4 ADDS ‘GO OFF-GRID’ FEATURE TO ALLOW SOLAR AND POWERWALL USERS HAVE MORE CONTROL Tesla Mobile App Version 4 received a new advanced feature from the giant EV maker that would allow the company’s Solar and Powerwall users to have more control over their products.

he Tesla Powerwall battery is shown installed at Rongomai School on May 13, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Powerwall and solar system by lines company Vector was launched at Otaras Rongomai School, one of thirty Auckland schools which will benefit from the state-of-the-art solar and battery package. Thanks to the new “Go OffGrid” button of the popular application, consumers can now press one button to turn off all their appliances relying on their Tesla Powerwall and Solar items. Aside from them, Elon Musk also explained that this update is one of their efforts to encourage non-Tesla owners to get engaged in the company’s rising ecosystem. The automaker’s interest to expand its service to more people can also be seen in its giant Supercharger Network, which would allow other EV models to use its stations before 2021 ends.

TESLA MOBILE APP’S NEW OFF-GRID FEATURE According to Electrek’s latest report, the new “Go Off-Grid” button of Tesla’s latest Version 4 mobile app allows consumers to completely rely on their stored clean energy instead of using electricity. Visitors walk at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 25, 2019. – Phone makers will focus on foldable screens and the introduction of blazing fast 5G wireless networks at the world’s biggest mobile fair starting February 25 in Spain as they try to reverse a decline in sales of smartphones. The company explained that this would be helpful since many countries now have their planned brownouts to save more electric energy supplies. On the other hand, the latest Tesla Mobile App update is also a part of the company’s goal to achieve global decentralized electric utility. On the other hand, it could also add more value to Elon Musk’s Powerwall and Solar products. Aside from this, the automaker’s innovations for its mobile application also offer a new way to view the data from your own power generation with solar tiles or panels. Aside from this, consumers could also download their data, which they can integrate into a spreadsheet. The new Tesla Mobile App Version 4 update could also put their data into another system. In other news, Elon Musk announced that his new Tesla Bot could arrive by 2022. On the other hand, the new FSD Beta 10 is expected to be launched by September.

Tesla Mobile App Version 4’s Other Enhancements Tech Crunch reported that there are also other enhancements released by Tesla aside from the new “Go OffGrid” function. These include the latest car commands, which allow you to start your EV without actually riding it. On the other hand, it also received a new feature that enables users to unluck their Tesla mobiles using their phone keys. Aside from these, you can also get a more detailed representation of your electric car, thanks to the enhanced 3D transitions of the mobile app. Source: techtimes

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

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asia pacific

WHEN THE WIND DROPS AND THE SUN GOES DOWN: HOW CAN SOUTHEAST ASIA HANDLE FLUCTUATING CLEAN POWER SUPPLY? While solar and wind help countries meet energy security and environmental objectives, their variable nature poses challenges to electricity grids that require utilities to rethink operations.

technician cycles past the 73-megawatt Lopburi Solar Farm in Thailand’s Lopburi Province. Because solar power generation can be disrupted by cloud cover, it poses challenges to electricity grids. The intermittency of some renewables that test the resilience of power grids is often touted as an explanation for Southeast Asia’s woeful adoption of cleaner sources of energy. The ability of wind turbines and solar panels to generate power is entirely at the mercy of the elements, leaving critics to argue that such technologies aren’t sufficiently reliable to support the bloc’s rapid economic growth and demand for power, making a steep increase in fossil fuel burning inevitable. Electricity grids, largely designed for the last century, weren’t built to accommodate the variability that characterises solar and wind energy; they were built with large, centralised generators in mind. These are typically fired by coal, oil or gas, enabling them to consistently run around the clock, uninterrupted by the whims of nature. Charged with maintaining the balance between power generation and consumption, utilities favour conventional sources of energy as they can be switched on and off at will, adapting to demands from their customers who want their lights on at night and hot water for their morning showers. Renewables, on the other hand, give grid operators headaches because their output fluctuates wildly throughout the day and between seasons, threatening to disrupt the delicate dance of supply and demand. While such challenges aren’t insurmountable, they render grid operations much more complex. Solar generated power typically peaks at the sunniest times of the day — when demand for power is generally lower. Even clouds hamper its production, snarling calculations of the exact output. Similar issues plague turbines as the wind can suddenly pick up or drop. If grids fail to handle such volatility, blackouts and overloads can occur. By international standards, renewables only make up a small share of Southeast Asia’s energy mix, at about 9 per cent as of 2019. Most of this is hydropower, with solar and wind contributing only 2.4 per cent last year. But as the region races to generate 23 per cent of its primary energy from clean sources by 2025 amid dire warnings of the climate calamities projected to ravage the bloc in the decades ahead, smoothly integrating solar and wind is set to become a central priority for the power sector. Arguably the biggest challenge is that there is no silver bullet to help distribution grids cope with intermittent energy supply. Instead, countries will need to pursue a combination of strategies to compensate for the uncertainty that renewables create.

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GET CONSUMERS ON BOARD Traditionally, grid operators have responded to changes in electricity demand by adjusting supply. But as renewables uptake accelerates, Southeast Asian governments could utilise a proven solution to intermittency—demand-side management, said Philip Andrews-Speed, senior principal fellow with the Energy Studies Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Demand-side management could lead governments to leverage incentives and disincentives through dynamic pricing systems to encourage households to align their electricity usage with supply patterns. Discounted rates could be offered when demand is low and clean energy available in abundance, while higher rates could be charged during peak hours to flatten consumption spikes.

INSTALL MORE RENEWABLES Expanding renewable capacity evens out clean energy output as it reduces extremes in variability. The trick is to scatter different types of installations across a vast geographical area. Across Southeast Asia, solar and wind have highly complementary generation profiles, with solar peaking during the day and the dry season, and the wind picking up during evenings as well as the rainy season and colder months in the bloc’s northern regions, said Benoit Nguyen, head of the renewables in the Asia Pacific at multinational certification firm DNV. Research has also shown that in countries that sit on the equator—as Indonesia does—seasonal and daily variations in solar output are much smaller than elsewhere. And since solar equipment costs are falling so fast, experts have pointed out that building out capacity to seemingly excessive levels not only mitigates intermittency but delivers clean power at the cheapest price, making it more cost-effective than solely relying on battery storage.

HARNESS WEATHER FORECASTS Weather predictions are critical tools to manage variable renewables because they help utilities prepare for swings in the grid’s balance hours or even days in advance. Based on such forecasts and historical generation patterns, modern data algorithms can model solar and wind power production with a high degree of accuracy, not unlike the strategies social media platforms use to achieve targeted advertising and political advocacy. Having recognised this vast potential, tech-savvy Singapore plans to use advanced forecasting along with energy storage to achieve its solar target of 2 gigawatts by 2030.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

asia pacific BUILD FLEXIBLE GRIDS

To give grids the ability to cope up with the variability and uncertainty in renewable energy generation, there needs to be more flexibility in the system, Mary Ann Quirapas-Franco, a research fellow at NUS’s Energy Studies Institute, told Eco-Business. More robust transmission and distribution networks can better handle bigger loads that renewables may at times produce. In recent years, Vietnam has had to curtail the output from solar assets in response to fears that sudden jumps in supply could strain power lines. Strengthening grids also enables two-way power flows. Electricity is not only sent from power stations to consumers, but private homes may choose to install solar panels to generate their own power and feed some of it back into the grid.

Across Southeast Asia, the lack of infrastructure is one of the key barriers to large-scale deployment of renewable energy, Quirapas-Franco said. Grid upgrades won’t come cheap. The International Energy Agency estimates that the region will require US$1.2 trillion in investments through to 2040 to modernise and expand its electricity grids, and governments will need to take policy action to unlock such capital. “Private investment is essential to improve grid infrastructure in most Southeast Asian countries because the state lacks the funds, not least due to the pandemic. But the key obstacles in most states continue to be domestic vested interests and high transaction costs. Deal with these, and funds should flow,” said Andrews-Speed. Another way to make grids more adaptable is to smarten them up. Nguyen said if utilities could access data about generators, transmission infrastructure, storage facilities and consumers, they’d be able to optimise grid operations and have more visibility, making it possible to more effectively respond to supply fluctuations. Real-time information will also underpin efforts to modify consumer demand and advanced forecasting strategies.

HAVE A BACKUP PLAN Besides grid expansions and advanced operating procedures, having something to fall back upon when supply is disrupted or demand shoots up is arguably the most important flexibility solution. Storing excess renewable energy is an obvious and appealing strategy that can help prevent grid overloads and dispatch electricity during peak loads, ensuring stable supply, Nguyen told Eco-Business.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

Storage can also effectively be used in off-grid applications to help electrify Southeast Asia’s remote rural areas and islands, said Quirapas-Franco. According to the International Energy Agency, 45 million people across the region still lacked access to power in 2019. At present, however, Southeast Asian nations have no policies in place to incentivise the adoption of energy storage in the power sector. Storage comes in diverse forms, ranging from pumped hydropower and flywheels to modern lithium-ion batteries and green hydrogen. Lithium-ion batteries have advanced significantly over the past decade, with costs dropping almost 90 per cent. In the Asia Pacific, solar projects coupled with battery storage are estimated to be competitive with gas-fired electricity as early as 2026. Electric vehicles could eventually also be harnessed as grid assets to help countries handle intermittency, Nguyen told Eco-Business. In so-called vehicle-to-grid systems, cars can return surplus power to the grid when fluctuating renewables do not generate electricity, turning them into energy storage on wheels. Green hydrogen may currently be out of reach, but it is predicted to become competitive with fossil fuels in Japan, Germany, and Australia by 2030, when it could not just buffer intermittent daily and seasonal power generation but also decarbonise heavy industry. While it will take longer for similar price drops to happen in Southeast Asia, the technology has gathered momentum across the region, with Singapore studying green hydrogen as a potentially critical part of its power sector strategy, and calls in Vietnam growing louder to produce the fuel from the country’s rich offshore wind resources. Another method is to combine complementary renewables in hybrid solutions, said Quirapas-Franco. These already exist in Southeast Asia. For instance, the Cirata solar plant is a floating solar project on Cirata Reservoir in West Java that will tap into hydropower to help balance the intermittency of generation from its solar cells. Similar projects are being piloted in Thailand. Not all renewables are intermittent, said Nguyen. Besides hydropower, accelerating the deployment of geothermal power stations is a viable pathway to provide clean baseload electricity to bolster solar and wind. Indonesia is already the world’s second-biggest producer of geothermal power, followed by the Philippines.The Cirata solar plant is being built on Cirata Reservoir in West Java. Scheduled to be completed next year, the hybrid project will produce enough electricity to power 50,000 homes.

ADVANCE THE ELUSIVE ASEAN GRID Plans to build a grid that spans Southeast Asia to unlock opportunities for multilateral, multidirectional power trading have been more than two decades in the making. Up until now, electricity deals have been limited to bilateral cross-border arrangements, but the bloc’s long-term goal is to connect to a large regional grid. Doing so would allow countries to sell surplus clean power to other members states and tap into their neighbours’ supply during lean times. Nations could source renewable energy from a much wider geographical area, greatly reducing extremes in its variable production. Progress has been made on the integration of the Greater Mekong Subregion, a programme involving five Southeast Asian nations and China. Last month, news emerged that Vietnam would buy power from a 600 megawatts wind farm in southern Laos, with construction to start in 2022. The Laos-ThailandMalaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project, too, has moved ahead. Under the scheme, participating countries have committed to sending electricity from Laos to Singapore and Malaysia, with Thailand acting as a transit country. Last October, Singapore launched a separate trial to import 100 megawatts of electricity from Peninsular Malaysia for two years, a project that experts estimate could have “positive knock-on effects” in Malaysia as new opportunities for solar development open up. Yet another project that will export some of its electricity to Singapore is scheduled to be completed on the Indonesian island of Batam by 2024. With a capacity of 2.2 gigawatt-peak, the venture is the world’s largest floating solar farm. But even as such projects proliferate, several political, technical and institutional requirements will need to be fulfilled to pave the way for a unified regional electricity market. These range from a common working language and new institutions to harmonised electricity regulations and grid operations. Source: eco-business

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renewable energy

Two-Third of India’s Renewable Energy Capacity By 2030 Would Be From Solar: Union Minister The 450 GW of renewable energy target that the central government has aimed to achieve by the year 2030, almost 2/3rd of the same would come from solar energy, according to Union Minister Bhagwant Khuba.

tressing on the huge opportunity this presents for the business houses over the period of next nine years, the minister of state for renewable energy said the central government has adopted a 360-degree view to address all the issues and clear all the roadblocks to achieve the target. Khuba was speaking at the virtual event on Global Value Chains- Backward and Forward integration, in the session –Ecosystems for Solar Manufacturing in India, organised by industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). He pointed out India’s shift from being an importer of solar power manufacturing equipment to becoming a generator of solar power.

“The government is also putting together a policy framework in this regard. However, I firmly believe that all this is not possible without the active participation of all the stakeholders,” he said. Addressing the event joint secretary to the ministry of renewable energy Amitesh Sinha stated that India has a clear road map on part of demand visibility. So, solar energy would contribute almost 300 GW to the renewable energy target that the country aims to achieve. India needs to add around 25 GW of Solar energy capacities every year. Apart from this, we are also moving towards a green hydrogen ecosystem,” he said. Currently, the government is focusing on solving the problems in sourcing the equipment for solar power generation and how India can become ‘Aatmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) in this sector. “The earlier efforts were not encouraging to the solar equipment manufacturers. Now with the government deciding to impose 40 per cent basic customs duty on solar modules and 25 per cent on solar cells from April 1, 2022, imports would become more expensive and local manufacturing would be encouraged,” he said. Director and Partner, Auctus Advisors, ASSOCHAM’s energy consulting partners stated that currently the solar manufacturing space is dominated by China and while India has limited capacity in down stream value chain, it has no presence in the upstream. “The government in the recent past has taken several commendable measures mostly focused on down stream value chain. Like the 40 percent basic custom duty on imported modules will restrict imports of cells. Also the Rs 4500 crores budget allocation on the PLI scheme will incentivize effective module production,” he said. He further stated that to reduce the dependence, India needs to follow a roadmap with realistic targets to promote manufacturing of all components across the value chains. Vineet Agarwal, Managing director of TCI and President, ASSOCHAM stated that domestic manufacturing ecosystem is critical for selfreliance and Atmanirbhar Bharat. “Indigenous manufacturing of the equipment will reduce the recurring forex outgo of anywhere between $2.5 and $5 billion per annum to meet the projected demand of 450 GW by 2030. It will create 50,000 direct and 1.25 lakh indirect jobs, along with opportunities for MSME’s in the associated supply chain. And will ensure energy security without depending on other countries and create resilient supply chains,” he said.

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Agarwal noted that despite these policy push by the Indian Government, the global industry is highly concentrated, and competitiveness of domestic manufacturing will require comprehensive and sustainable policy support. “The PLI scheme introduced by the government will help in creating the right ecosystem and help India go up the value chain,” he said. Deepak Sood, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM stated that while the Indian solar power generation industry has immense potential, a robust domestic supply chain of solar equipment manufacturing will promote self-reliance and energy security as also preserve valuable forex reserves. “Government of India has announced and implemented several initiatives to boost the solar manufacturing industry. ASSOCHAM and its members, we laud government’s efforts,” he said. He further informed that despite policy directions, India’s domestic manufacturing capacity has been unable to keep pace with the growing solar generation capacity. “An end-to-end a domestic supply chain is critical in making India’s solar equipment cost-competitive in the global market. Additional measures are needed especially in the upstream segments to ensure a sustainable integrated supply chain,” he said. “For the industry to come up with the manufacturing capacity, the government also needs to ensure the demand for domestic products and enable cost competitiveness,” he added. Source : indiablooms

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

renewable energy

Who Created the Renewable Energy Miracle ? A

The answer is that there’s a pretty good case that policy — the Obama administration’s investments in green energy and European subsidies, especially for offshore wind — played a central role.

s terrible as many things in the world are, climate is unique in posing an existential threat to civilization. And it’s horrifying that so many political figures are dead set against any serious action to address that threat. Despite that, there’s still a chance that we’ll do enough to avoid catastrophe — not because we’ve grown wiser but because we’ve been lucky. We used to believe that achieving big reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would be difficult and expensive, although not nearly as costly as anti-environmentalists claimed. Over the past dozen years or so, however, we’ve experienced a technological miracle. As nicely documented in an article by Max Roser, the costs of solar and wind power, once dismissed as foolish hippie fantasies, have plunged to the point that quite modest incentives could lead to a rapid reduction in use of fossil fuels. But was it really luck? Did this miracle — actually two miracles, since generating electricity from the sun and from the wind involve completely different technologies — just happen to arrive in our moment of need? Or was it a consequence of good policy decisions? The answer is that there’s a pretty good case that policy — the Obama administration’s investments in green energy and European subsidies, especially for offshore wind — played a central role. What’s the justification for that conclusion? Start with the fact that neither wind nor solar power was a fundamentally new technology. Windmills have been in widespread use at least since the 11th century. Photovoltaic solar power was developed in the 1950s. And as far as I can tell, there haven’t been any major scientific breakthroughs behind the recent dramatic decline in both technologies’ costs.

What we’re looking at, instead, appears to be a situation in which growing use of renewable energy is itself driving cost reductions. For solar and wind, we’ve seen a series of incremental improvements as energy companies gain experience, big reductions in the price of components as things like turbine blades go into mass production and so on. Renewables, as Roser points out, appear to be subject to learning curves, in which costs fall with cumulative production. And here’s the thing: When an industry has a steep learning curve, government support can have huge positive effects. Subsidize such an industry for a few years, and its costs will fall with experience, and eventually it will reach a tipping point where its growth becomes self-sustaining and the subsidies are no longer needed. That’s arguably what has happened, or is on the verge of happening, for renewable energy.

SEPTEMBER- 2021 (PART B)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 — the Obama stimulus — was mainly intended to address the collapse in demand that followed the 2008 financial crisis. It helped a lot but got a bad reputation all the same because it was underpowered and hence failed to produce rapid recovery. (And no, that’s not hindsight. I was screaming about it at the time.) But it also included significant funding for green energy: tax breaks, subsidies, government loans and loan guarantees. Some of the projects the government backed went bad, and Republicans made political hay over the losses. But venture capitalists expect some of the businesses they back to fail; if that never happens, they aren’t taking enough risks. Similarly, a government program aimed at advancing technology is bound to end up with some lemons; if it doesn’t, it’s not extending the frontier. And in retrospect, it looks as if those Obama initiatives really did extend the frontier, pushing solar energy in particular from a high-cost technology with limited adoption to the point that it’s often cheaper than traditional energy sources. Obama’s policies also helped wind, but there I suspect that a lot of the credit goes to European governments, which heavily subsidized offshore wind projects early in the last decade. In short, there’s a really good case to be made that government support for renewable energy created a cost miracle that might not have happened otherwise — and this cost miracle may be the key to saving us from utter climate catastrophe. Source: New York Times

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