Draft on national wind-solar hybrid policy

The government has released the draft National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy which aims at providing a framework to promote large grid connected wind-solar PV system for optimal and efficient utilisation of transmission infrastructure among others.
Objectives of the Policy:

• To provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV system for optimal and efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land, reducing the variability in renewable power generation and thus achieving better grid stability.
• To encourage new technologies, methods and way-outs involving combined operation of wind and solar PV plants.

Highlights of the Policy:
Wind-Solar Hybrid Systems:
These systems will be configured to operate at the same point of grid connection.
Optimal and efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and better grid stability by reducing the variability in renewable power generation.
The size of the solar PVs capacity to be added as the solar-hybrid component could be relatively smaller.
Implementation:
The implementation of wind solar hybrid system will depend on different configurations and use of Technologies like Wind-Solar Hybrid-AC integration, Wind-Solar Hybrid-DC integration, Hybridisation of existing wind/solar PV plants along with New Wind-Solar Hybrid Plants.
Incentives:
The Government will encourage development wind-solar hybrid systems through various incentives.
All fiscal and financial incentives available to wind and solar power projects may also be made available to hybrid projects.
Low cost financing for hybrid projects may be made available through IREDA and other financial institutions including multilateral banks.
Research and Development:
Government will support the technology development projects in the field of hybrid systems. Besides, support will be provided for development of standards for hybrid systems.
The policy will remain in force unless withdrawn or superseded by the Government. The Government can undertake a review of the Policy as and when required.

Analysis

• The draft policy is not detailed enough when it comes to tariff structures and financial incentives.
• The draft policy is not clear about the financial incentives for hybrid systems and merely refers to the existing incentives for solar and wind projects.
• The hybrid power injected in to the grid will not be more than the transmission capacity/grid connectivity allowed/sanctioned for existing wind/solar project. The rationale behind this move is to ensure that no augmentation of transmission capacity is required. But it places the onus of size restrictions on the utility owner rather than on the government, which is responsible for transmission capacity.
• Given that critical infrastructure such as land & evacuation network for wind or solar project accounts for about 10-12% of overall project cost, hybrid projects would benefit from a reduction in capital cost to some extent due to common infrastructure and land use in place.
• Further, the variability in generation profile is likely to be reduced to some extent by the hybridization of wind and solar projects at same site, given that generation from bot the sources is at different intervals & complimentary seasons (as solar generation is available in day time throughout a year except winter & cloudy periods while the wind generation is throughout day & night subject to windy conditions with 65-70% of wind based generation during May till October in a year). This in turn would partially address the concerns of distribution utilities over the grid stability arising due to the intermittent nature of wind or solar.

By: Vishal