AMARAVATI: In a major development, the state government has decided to set up Pumped Hydro Storage Power Projects (PSP) as part of its decision to promote new renewable energy power plants. The PSP mode is likely to balance the fluctuations in total input power from the existing renewable energy plants depended on solar and wind power stations. PSP projects will act as large-scale energy storage stations.
The government has identified seven locations to set up PSP plants to the tune of nearly 6300 Mega Watts. “This is completely new concept on the energy storage platform and brings new life to the renewable energy sector,” said S Ramana Reddy, managing director of New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation (NREDC). Speaking to media here on Monday, Reddy said that consultancy firms were finalized to ready the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for setting up the power stations. He said that PSP stations would be coming up at Gandikota (Kadapa), Chitravati (Ananthapuram), Somasila (Nellore), Owk (Kurnool), Kurukutti, Karrivalasa (Vizianagaram) and Yerravaram (Visakhapatnam).
He said that renewable energy is variable due to the sudden cloud covers and wind variations. In order to balance the generation, energy storage technology is required. “PSPs are commercially viable, commonly used and large-scale electricity storage technology,” said Ramana Reddy. He said that though battery storage system is available, they were not only expensive but not suitable to storage high volumes. He said that highest battery storage unit was set up in Australia with 100 mw. While it is difficult to ramp up and ramp down the battery storage system, PSPs are easy to handle, he explained.
He said that the government had also entered an MoU with EESL for deployment of 300 electric cars for different government departments. He said that they have also signed an MoU with NTPC and RIEL for establishment of charging infrastructure. About 460 chargers will be installed in 83 locations across the state under FAME II Scheme, said Ramana Reddy.
He said that they have also obtained LOI from International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) for establishment of testing facility to auto components and vehicles and intelligence testing tracks for vehicles with an investment of 250 crore. He said that they have also decided to take real-time study of electric two-wheelers before procuring in big numbers. He said that they were also planning to retrofit the electric kits to the autos to reduce the pollution levels.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
