2020

The global hybrid energy market, including energy storage, is projected to touch $40 billion by 2025. It is an opportunity that India has capitalized upon, earlier than others.

The Kochi-based system integrator will connect kW- and MW-scale solar plants distributed across the state using remote terminal units, Cloud Computing and Industrial Internet of Things. Once commissioned, the system will help Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd to evaluate and analyse the performance of renewable energy generation in the state more precisely in real time and manage grid operations better.

The lobby group has asked the ministry that the interstate transmission charges waiver be extended to cover solar and wind projects that get commissioned up to December 31, 2023. It also recommended that the waiver be linked to bidding, allowing projects commissioned within 36 months from the award of contract to avail the exemption, even if they get commissioned beyond December 31, 2023.

Bidding closes on July 20 for installation and commissioning of grid-connected solar projects. The projects are to be set up in RESCO mode on government buildings across the state.

India is running the world’s largest renewable energy expansion program with a mind-boggling target of 450 GW by 2030. Can the country with a growing energy demand do more than this? Can it do what developed countries should have done years ago?

The impressive progress made by offshore wind arrays may be attracting a new group of PV developers looking to leave the constraints of the roof and free field behind. And while saltwater, wind and waves are no friend of PV, progress is being made in proving the potential applications.

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new kind of thermal battery that can greatly increase the energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of many industrial processes and shows great promise for use in the solar industry. Liz Thompson reports that Argonne’s Thermal Energy Storage System (TESS) can rapidly capture and store surplus heat so that it can be used as needed. With its pioneering modular design and material advancements resulting in greater efficiency, TESS is a big step forward in thermal battery technology.

The Maharashtra project is the developer’s second large-scale solar win this month following a 120 MW project in Gujarat. The electricity generated will be supplied to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (MSEDCL) under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

The industry needs to cut a dependence on electric vehicle battery imports from China, according to the road transport minister, who said the government is looking to support research into alternatives to lithium-ion technology.

The overall energy outlay of Rs 6984.73 crore for the year 2020-21 is much lower than 2019-20’s revised estimate of Rs 11,639 crore.