Quotes

Energy week 2024 - Honourable Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban
Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri outlined India’s multi-pronged strategy to transition towards a gas-
based economy. The plan includes diversifying the energy mix through renewables, biofuels, and
green hydrogen. India’s “Panchamrit” initiative, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP
26, reflects the country’s commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable
development on a global scale. The five-point pledge encapsulates India’s strategy to balance its
surging energy demand with a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

Current energy landscape

Some pressing problems are a lack of reliable electricity supply for many consumers; a continued
reliance on solid biomass, mainly firewood, as a cooking fuel for some 660 million people; financially
ailing electricity distribution companies, and air quality that has made Indian cities among the most
polluted in the world.

The pace of change in the electricity sector puts a huge premium on robust grids and other sources
of flexibility, with India becoming a global leader in battery storage. India has a higher requirement
for flexibility in its power system operation than almost any other country in the world. In the near
term, India’s large grid and its coal-fired power fleet meet the bulk of India’s flexibility needs,
supported by hydropower and gas-fired capacity. Going forward, new power lines and demand-side
options – such as improving the efficiency of air conditioners or shifting the operation of agricultural
pumps to different parts of the day – will need to play a much greater role. But battery storage is
particularly well suited to the short-run flexibility that India needs to align its solar-led generation
peak in the middle of the day with the country’s early evening peak in demand.

As the world seeks ways to accelerate the pace of transformation in the energy sector, India is in a
unique position to pioneer a new model for low-carbon, inclusive growth. Many aspects of such a
model are already evident in India’s policy vision, and many more are highlighted in the Sustainable
Development Scenario that points the way for India towards net-zero emissions.

India saw the highest year-on-

year growth in renewable energy additions of 9.83% in 2022. The installed solar energy capacity has
increased by 30 times in the last 9 years and stands at 73.31 GW as of December 2023.
Current initiatives not fully utilised-
 1. Energy Storage Solutions: Implementing energy storage systems such as batteries can help
store excess energy generated during peak production periods from renewable sources like
solar and wind. This stored energy can then be used during periods of low production, thus
reducing intermittency.

2. Hybrid Energy Systems: Integrating different renewable energy sources, such as solar and
wind, into hybrid energy systems can help mitigate intermittency issues. By combining
multiple sources, the variations in energy production from each source can be balanced out
to ensure a more consistent energy supply.

3. Demand-Side Management: Implementing demand-side management strategies can help

align energy consumption with renewable energy generation patterns. This involves
incentivizing consumers to shift their energy usage to times when renewable energy
production is high.

4. Smart Grid Technology: Investing in smart grid technology allows for better monitoring and
management of energy distribution. By integrating advanced sensors, meters, and control
systems, smart grids can optimize the use of renewable energy and improve grid stability.

5. Distributed Energy Resources: Encouraging the adoption of distributed energy resources

such as rooftop solar panels and small-scale wind turbines can help decentralize energy
production. This reduces the strain on centralized power grids and improves reliability by
diversifying energy sources.

6. Grid Modernization: Upgrading and modernizing the existing power grid infrastructure is
crucial for accommodating higher levels of renewable energy integration. This includes
improving transmission and distribution networks to handle variable renewable energy
inputs more efficiently.

7. Energy Forecasting and Predictive Analytics: Developing accurate energy forecasting models
and leveraging predictive analytics can help anticipate fluctuations in renewable energy
generation. This enables better planning and management of energy resources to ensure
reliable supply.

8. Investment in Research and Development: Continued investment in research and

development is essential for driving innovation in renewable energy technologies. This
includes advancements in materials science, energy storage, and grid management
techniques to overcome intermittency challenges.

Benchmarking
Additional innovative strategies that could be implemented in India's energy landscape, drawing
inspiration from initiatives in other countries:

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs): Virtual Power Plants aggregate various distributed energy resources,
including renewable sources like solar panels and battery storage systems, into a unified network. By
leveraging advanced software and communication technologies, VPPs can optimize energy
production and distribution in real-time, enhancing grid stability and reliability. Australia, for
example, has been piloting VPP projects to integrate residential solar and battery systems into virtual
power plants, providing grid services and supporting renewable energy integration.
Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading: Implementing blockchain-based peer-to-peer energy trading platforms
allows consumers with renewable energy generation capabilities, such as rooftop solar panels, to
directly sell excess energy to nearby consumers. This decentralized approach fosters local energy
autonomy, reduces transmission losses, and promotes renewable energy adoption. Countries like
Germany and the Netherlands have been experimenting with peer-to-peer energy trading platforms
to empower consumers and facilitate renewable energy sharing within communities.

Artificial Intelligence for Energy Forecasting and Optimization: Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)
and machine learning algorithms can significantly improve energy forecasting accuracy and optimize
energy system operations. Advanced AI models can analyze vast amounts of data from weather
patterns, energy demand, and grid conditions to predict renewable energy generation and
consumption patterns with greater precision. Denmark has been at the forefront of using AI-powered
energy forecasting and optimization tools to integrate fluctuating wind energy into its grid more
effectively.

Community Microgrids: Establishing community microgrids powered by renewable energy sources

enhances energy resilience and fosters community engagement. Community microgrids can operate
independently or interconnected with the main grid, providing reliable energy supply during grid
outages or emergencies. Initiatives like the Brooklyn Microgrid project in New York, USA,
demonstrate how communities can develop their own localized energy networks using renewable
energy resources and distributed energy storage.

Hydrogen Energy Storage and Power-to-Gas Technology: Hydrogen energy storage and power-to-gas
technology offer promising solutions for storing excess renewable energy and producing clean fuels.
Excess renewable energy can be used to electrolyze water, producing hydrogen, which can be stored
and later converted back to electricity or used as a clean fuel for transportation and industrial
applications. Countries like Germany and Japan are investing in hydrogen infrastructure and power-
to-gas projects to support renewable energy integration and decarbonization efforts.

Dynamic Pricing and Demand Response Programs: Implementing dynamic pricing schemes and
demand response programs incentivizes consumers to adjust their energy consumption based on
real-time market conditions and grid constraints. By offering price signals that reflect the varying cost
of electricity production, dynamic pricing encourages energy use during off-peak hours when
renewable energy generation is abundant. California, USA, has pioneered dynamic pricing and
demand response initiatives to manage energy demand and promote renewable energy integration.

Innovative strategies:

1. Ocean Energy Harvesting: India's extensive coastline presents a vast potential for harnessing
ocean energy, including wave, tidal, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Deploying
scalable ocean energy harvesting technologies along the coastlines can provide a reliable and
predictable source of renewable energy, complementing intermittent sources like solar and
 wind. By tapping into the ocean's immense energy resources, India can diversify its
renewable energy portfolio and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

2. Space-based Solar Power: Space-based solar power (SBSP) involves capturing solar energy in
space using satellites equipped with solar panels and transmitting it wirelessly to ground-
based receiving stations for distribution. SBSP offers a continuous and abundant source of
renewable energy, unaffected by weather conditions or geographic limitations. While still in
the conceptual stage, advancements in space technology and wireless power transmission
could make SBSP a viable solution for meeting India's growing energy demand and mitigating
intermittency challenges.

3. Energy Harvesting Pavements: Embedding piezoelectric materials or kinetic energy

harvesting devices into pedestrian walkways and roadways can generate electricity from
footsteps and vehicular traffic. Energy harvesting pavements capture the mechanical energy
produced by human movement and vehicle motion, converting it into usable electrical
energy. Deploying energy harvesting pavements in urban areas and high-traffic zones can
supplement renewable energy generation from conventional sources, contributing to grid
stability and resilience.

4. Biological Solar Cells: Biological solar cells, also known as biophotovoltaics or bio-solar cells,
utilize photosynthetic microorganisms such as algae or cyanobacteria to convert sunlight into
electrical energy. These living organisms can be engineered to generate electricity through
photosynthesis, offering a sustainable and self-renewable energy solution. Deploying
biological solar cells in aquatic environments, such as ponds, lakes, or wastewater treatment
plants, can harness solar energy while providing environmental benefits such as water
purification and carbon sequestration.

5. Artificial Photosynthesis: Mimicking the natural process of photosynthesis, artificial

photosynthesis technology utilizes sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce renewable
fuels such as hydrogen or synthetic hydrocarbons. By employing catalysts and
photoelectrochemical cells, artificial photosynthesis systems can convert solar energy into
storable and transportable fuels, providing a versatile energy storage solution for renewable
energy integration. Scaling up artificial photosynthesis technology could enable India to
produce clean fuels sustainably and mitigate intermittency issues associated with renewable
energy sources.

Sustainable land-use practices for renewable energy projects, considering environmental

conservation and biodiversity.

- Vertical solar plants (Tata and Dell already use it)

- Floating Wind Farms with Artificial Reefs: Combining floating wind farms with
artificial reef structures offers a novel approach to renewable energy deployment
that enhances marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. By incorporating artificial
reefs around floating wind turbines, renewable energy projects provide habitat for
marine species, increase fish biomass, and promote coral reef regeneration.
Initiatives such as the Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland explore the
synergies between floating wind energy and marine conservation through the
deployment of artificial reefs.