Karnataka’s ambitious strides towards green energy may go in vain if the State does not build a system to store excess power generated through the unpredictable solar and wind energy systems.
“Realistically” the State can aim to tackle its nearly 3,000 MW deficit by hiking its solar and wind power generation to 27 per cent in 2017, up from around 16 per cent currently, said the report ‘Wind and solar energy for meeting Karnataka’s future electricity demand’, prepared by the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and Power System Operation Corporation Ltd. (POSOCO).
If wind power in Karnataka is increased to 3,163 MW by 2017, and solar to 1,300 MW, then the State will have 2.2 per cent excess energy, instead of the more than 10 per cent deficit seen, said D.P. Sen Gupta, visiting professor, School of Natural Sciences and Engineering, during the release of the report on Thursday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Similarly, if solar and wind component is increased to 31 per cent (that is, 7,300 MW) by 2022, the State can export nearly 22.4 per cent of its power generated. “This would require an investment of Rs. 2,400 crore yearly by the government and the private sector,” said Prof. Sen Gupta, who authored the report along with A. Sampath, A. Gangopadhyay and D.R. Ahuja.
However, he added that this optimism can only fructify if a pumped hydro storage (PHS) system is built in the State.
While wind power peaks around afternoon, and late in the night; solar energy is generate the most around noon. Additionally, wind power is maximum during the monsoons, when demand dips. “The PHS can absorb the uncertainties of wind and solar, so that energy can be released even during peak demand times of morning and evening, and during summers,” said Prof. Sen Gupta.
The report analyses trends in consumption to predict the expected demand for power in the State in 2017 and 2022, as well as also accounts for the increase in generation from other sources.