Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a Germany-based development agency, has appointed research group DNV GL to conduct a study in the southern region of India. According to DNV GL, it is the first control reserve study to quantify the requirements to balance the energy supply from wind and solar and the energy demand.

“India is a regional and global industrial powerhouse, consuming more than 6,600 TWh of energy every year. Hence, its plan to grow renewable energy is both bold and promising. Because of these factors, this study proves to be a key step towards ensuring the quality of the energy supply within this plan,” says Markus Wypior, an officer for implementation at GIZ.

DNV GL also noted that the study is a part of the Indo-German Energy Program, a joint initiative of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) implemented by GIZ India.

“India is in the midst of a very ambitious journey that will put it at the forefront of the global energy transition. This study, implemented for the southern states, with support from GIZ, would serve as a prime example of the Indian government’s commitment to making this journey a success,” said Nicolas Renon, executive vice president APAC, at DNV GL – Energy.

The release added that the study was carried out on behalf of the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC), a Government of India enterprise, and covered the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

For the study, DNV GL utilized its renewable energy integration study and control reserve dimensioning services to quantify the secondary and tertiary control reserve requirements that will enable optimal sharing of power between the states.

It also mentioned that dimensioning of the states’ control reserves will help ensure efficient and cost-effective integration of large-scale renewable energy supplies.

Further, the DNV GL will provide recommendations to the Southern Regional Power Committee for control reserve requirement identification based on the final report.

India has been consistently increasing the share of renewable sources in its energy mix to meet the country’s power demands.

Mercom also reported that, as of March 31, 2020, the country’s total installed power capacity stood at about 372 GW, up from 358.6 GW during the same time last year. Of this, the installed power capacity from renewable sources (including large hydro) accounted for about 134.7 GW, up from about 125.5 GW as of Q1 2019. Solar installations accounted for about 27.2% of the overall renewable capacity.

Renewable energy is the fastest-growing source of energy, accounting for around half of the increase in energy and is set to penetrate the global energy system more quickly than any fuel in history, according to BP Energy Outlook. The report said that in an evolving transition scenario, renewables would account for around two-thirds of the increase in power generation, with their share in the global power sector increasing to around 30% by 2040.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.