• Energy Research

Abstract The increasing energy demand in developing countries has jeopardised energy security, necessitating the employment of solar energy to augment conventional energy sources. It is important to assess the annual performance parameters of solar power plants to understand its place in energy generation. This study analyses the performance and economic viability of a large-scale solar power park located in India. A 50 MWp Solar Photovoltaic Power Park (SPPP) located at Sakunala, in the State of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the largest solar power park in India, and the site receives an average solar radiation of 5.5–6.0 kWh/m2/day. The design, performance analysis, economic feasibility, and greenhouse gas mitigation of the 50 MWp SPPP is presented. The energy yields, performance ratio (PR), capacity utilization factor (CUF), and losses are assessed based on the IEC 61724 standards for two consecutive years (2018–2019 and 2019–2020). The performance results obtained are compared with the PVsyst simulation results. The PR, CUF, and energy yields are estimated as 0.779, 0.24, and 107,326.4 MWh in 2018–2019 and 0.691, 0.22, and 96,707.336 MWh in the year 2019–2020, respectively. The PVsyst simulator evaluates the PR, CUF, and energy yields as 0.80, 0.24, and 106,022 MWh, respectively. Further, the effect of power curtailment policies on solar PV projects is also discussed and the effect of curtailment policy on the economy of the solar power park in terms of payback period and emissions are analysed. The performance of the SPPP is also compared with those of other PV plants installed all over the world.

Abstract This paper analyzes the effects of the 9-min pan-India voluntary lights-off policy that was planned and executed by the Government of India in April 2020 on the National Grid and the steps that were taken to maintain grid stability during the event. The policy was a symbolic gesture of public solidarity with frontline healthcare and emergency workers in the nation's war against the COVID-19 pandemic. The event entailed nationwide switching-off of electric lights and lighting of earthen lamps or switching-on of torch lights. This 9-min event posed a significant challenge to the country's power systems engineers in managing grid stability during the large-scale load reduction, and meticulous planning and implementation of protective measures were carried out. In this article, the strategy implemented by the Indian power sector to manage the grid during the nine-minute event is described. The variations of grid parameters such as frequency, voltage, and load at all dispatch centers before, during, and after the nine-minutes are analyzed, and the generation schedule that was followed is also presented, along with real-time results. This case study provides an overview of power systems management that involves strategic scheduling of generators throughout the country to tackle sudden and mass-reductions of load on the power system.

Abstract Renewable Energy Resources (RES) is growing with a wide popularisation due to its ability to mitigate global warming challenges and meet the increasing energy demand. Nevertheless, some of the challenges in implementing the RES system like intermittency and volatile profile give an enormous research and improvement scope. Since the grid expansion doesnt incur large investments after the RES system installation, they can significantly meet energy demands. In this paper, feasibility study and optimum solution for electricity needs for one of the blocks of RV college of Engineering using RES is analysed for various systems. Four hybrid energy systems studies provide the technical details and the simulation results obtained from Hybrid Optimisation of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) simulation tool. Hybrid energy resources like the combination of solar PV, Biomass and diesel were analysed and compared. From the qualitative and quantitative results obtained for PV/Biomass/Diesel/ Battery system, it was observed that solar/biomass was the optimal solution for electrification among the renewable resources. This hybrid combination is the most feasible solution since there was no carbon emission and environmentally friendly.

The worldwide demand for transportation systems is driven by increasing passenger and freight traffic, which is projected to double by 2050. While such growth in the transport sector is a sign of social and economic development, its repercussions on energy consumption and environmental emissions cannot be overlooked. Developments in the transportation industry must follow the trajectory of emerging energy generation systems. The UNSDG 7 (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7) encourages “Affordable and Clean Energy”. Accordingly, there is a worldwide move towards electrification of transportation systems, the energy being derived from multiple non-renewable and renewable sources. This paper analyses the design and performance analysis of Denmark's hybrid energy-based EVCS (Electric Vehicle Charging Station). The proposed EVCS is mathematically modelled. The HOMER software is used to design and analyse the performance of EVCS, powered by PV, wind turbines, diesel generators, and storage batteries, at four locations in Denmark - Aalborg, Middelgrunden, Aarhus, and Hirtshals. System modelling and analysis were performed to analyse and compare the techno-economic performance parameters. In addition, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption at the four locations were also compared. Sensitivity analysis was carried out at Aalborg to understand the uncertainty effect on the performance of the EVCS.

Abstract The load sharing analysis in an autonomous microgrid (MG) with renewable energy sources (RES) is an important issue. The inverter is employed to integrate a distributed generation system to the utility grid, or to run the load available in the microgrid is an essential concept in the autonomous microgrid. In that situation, there is a growing demand in developing a proper control strategy to draw current with fewer distortion from the inverter, and there is a condition to connect two or more sources in parallel for satisfying the load requirements (sharing of loads). To connect two or more DG units to the load, there is a requirement of paralleling the inverters. This paper presents the development of a hybrid controller for load sharing from different DGs with the help of a parallel-connected inverters interface. The proposed systems help improve the quality of power, reliability, and economical operation of the autonomous microgrid.

Abstract The Government of India had initially aimed at an installed capacity of 20 GW solar PV power generation by 2022. However, India has 29.41 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants as of now, which shows that the target is achieved three years ahead of schedule. Kurnool solar power park is one of the largest solar parks in India, receiving an excellent average solar radiation of 5.5–6.0 kWh/m2. As part of this project, a 50 MW solar photovoltaic system has been installed at Kurnool. This paper determines the performance parameters for analysis. The system was monitored from April 2018 to March 2019. The performance ratio varied between 75% and 83%, giving an annual average performance ratio of 79.94%. The capacity utilization factor varied between 18.90% and 29.34%, giving an annual average capacity utilization factor of 24.65%. The gain of modules with single-axis tracking system is compared with the fixed-tilt angle system. It is found that the single-axis tracking system improves the performance of the plant.