Flexible Operation CEA Document
Flexible Operation CEA Document
Ministry of Power
Central Electricity Authority
January 2019
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Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
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Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Integration of Renewable generation into the Indian electricity grid is a challenge as well as an opportunity.
In anticipation of the changing role of thermal power in the Indian power sector and its crucial role in
making best use of renewable sources, this report has been brought out. Here in, an attempt has been made to
capture the gravity of the situation by analyzing the generation trends expected in 2021-22 based on historic
Under Part I of the report, the implications of large-scale renewable generation integration and the need for
of July, 2021. This is on expected lines due to availability of high wind and solar generation during the
monsoon season in India. Considering daily total demand as per 19th EPS and RE generation as projected,
average day during non-monsoon and the best-case scenario is presented. Next, three steps of coordination
power from pump or battery storage or combination of both and evening peak support from coal-plants
under two-shift operation has been considered. Under Step-3, option of RE curtailment has been explored. It
is found that even though RE curtailment ought to be discouraged in the long run, considering current high
prices of storage technologies around 1% curtailment of renewable energy on annual basis may be allowed
Fortunately, in the Indian context, ramp rates, which are calculated from the hourly renewable and
been conducted exclusively on various size of thermal generating units and a preliminary estimate of the
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Technology advancements within the power sector are keeping the industry in a state of continuous learning
and adoption. The global community has set an exalted objective of limiting global warming to well below
overall power system particularly on the supply side. Similarly, higher and more variable residual loads
become more and more complex for the policy makers, investors and power system operators, it also offers
unprecedented opportunities.
of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level, and to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3
billion tons of CO2 equivalent. Generating power from renewable sources of energy is of cardinal importance
having representation from CEA, NTPC and POSOCO. The terms of reference of the committee are the
following: -
on priority basis.
Develop a road map for implementation of the measures on all India basis.
The committee members include: -
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
thermal power stations. The minutes of the seven meetings of the committee held on 16th Feb, 23rd Feb,
5th
The current study derives expertise from various divisions of CEA, and studies done by POSOCO, NTPC,
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generation to be accommodated in the grid round the clock. The second objective is to view the situation
be required to run at in future. The third objective is to suggest various combinations of generation which can
objectives:
Grid security
Reliability of generating unit
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Flexibility:
RES: Unless mentioned otherwise, the term RES or Renewable Energy Sources has been used to represent
Minimum Load: The minimum load is the lowest possible net load a generating unit can deliver under
stable operating conditions. It is measured as a percentage of normal load or the rated capacity of the unit.
Graphical representation of minimum load is depicted in the chart.
Start-up time:
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Ramp rate: The ramp rate describes how fast a power plant can change its net power during
Thermal:
However, in the context of this report, Gas based power stations are considered a separate category.
lignite-
based ones.
assumptions have been made in the absence of which the modelling becomes too complex and error-prone.
The hourly generation pattern of Hydro, Nuclear and Gas in 2021-22 is a function of the historic pattern
followed by them.
Nuclear, Biomass and Small Hydro power plants are operated as base load in the study.
and generation from all types of sources needs to be anticipated. The national electricity demand for the
year 2021-22 has been collected from 19th EPS. The generation from different technologies in future can be
For part IV of the report, the analysis is based on the capacity of the thermal plant in the year 2021-22 to
For this purpose, the committee has collected data from all individual thermal units in the country to get an
Table 2 List of variables on which data was collected from thermal units in the country
05
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Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
by each fuel source. Even though quantum of total ramp up done by coal is more it is still running at a
much stable load, in comparison to hydro, due to its larger installed base. ydro is a
major contributor here due to its ability of quick start-stop and quick ramping
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
The installed capacities for 2021-22 of various sources are given below.
Gas:
in 2021-22.
Small Hydro, Biomass: Since no reliable data is available for these small renewable sources, straight-
line
considered.
Coal:
hourly generation of other types of sources in a day from the hourly demand of that day.
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As stated earlier electricity demand for the year 2021-22 has been collected from 19th EPS and
generation has been predicted for conventional as well as non-conventional power plant.
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is the worst situation in terms of minimum load operation of thermal power plants.
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RES Generation
Hydro Generation
Gas Generation
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An analysis of the coal ramp rates in the year 2021-22 has been conducted and following maximum values
are observed.
Since 15 minutes’ renewable generation data was not available, the analysis was conducted on hourly basis.
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Therefore, it may be concluded that ramp rates are not a challenge for integration of renewable
generation into Indian grid.
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The study of Indian transmission network was conducted to ensure that there is no constraint in the grid
during integration of renewable generation in the year 2021-22. For the purpose of transmission planning,
local consumption and have been adjusted against demand of the respective states.
11.1 Load Generation Balance: Studies have been carried out for the year, 2021-22.
Generation:
Total installed capacity of all the generation projects expected to be materialized by 2021-22 is about
import has been considered from Bhutan. All India Installed capacity and Peak Demand Expected
at the end of 2021-22 are given in the table below:
Demand:
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respectively.
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integration.
unique feature, compared to conventional schemes, is that it operates in a dual manner i.e. both as turbine and
a small installed base of these technologies. In fact, development of pumped hydro storage schemes is a
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however, is not the case in countries having large renewable capacities like Germany. The following graph
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to about 45% of grid connected thermal capacity on that day. This is not the present situation of Indian grid
as most of the state generating companies are not maintaining 55% minimum thermal load. It is therefore
proposed that the similar provision of 55% technical minimum load of thermal units shall be adopted by
Open cycle gas plants are very suitable for balancing and ramping requirement of the grid because of
their
erefore are
gas.
electricity retailer offering the best electricity price plans for their businesses and homes. Consumers
Supply of electricity to agriculture sector by dedicated feeders: Separation of electricity feeders for
agriculture from domestic and industrial load would be a measure in favour of grid security. Separate
feeders would enable servicing of agricultural demand during the hours of high solar generation. This
would enable improved minimum loads for conventional power and greater integration of renewable
energy. An estimate of this opportunity is given below.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Charging of Electric vehicle when solar generation is available: India has ambitious plans for shifting
public and private vehicles to electricity and reduce its dependence on imported oil. The government has
of e-vehicles. Delhi government has proposed to make 25% of all new vehicle registrations to be electric
Daytime charging of e-vehicles is a measure that needs to be promoted for encouraging integration of
renewable energy and make e-vehicles an even greener mode of mobility.
manufacturing in the country. The key areas for energy storage application include:
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It is clear from the above arguments that business as usual generation from fuel sources other than coal will
technically improbable considering high ash content in Indian coal. Hence, the committee is of the opinion
that thermal load on coal units should not go below 35% in worst-case scenario in Indian conditions. This
In order to achieve the above objective, we take up typical days of 2021-22 from a thermal power standpoint
1.
2.
3.
4.
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RE curtailment is explored, after considering the measures of Step one, with its
corresponding impact on thermal minimum load. An example of the data used in the analysis is given in
Annexure II while the graphs are presented in the following sections.
1. Step I:
2. Step II:
been prepared considering the net water and gas requirement in Hydro and Gas, respectively, equal to their
BAU scenarios.
Reallocation of current Hydro and Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS): India currently has an
ability of PHS technology to absorb power during the afternoon and supply it in the evening and
incentive, two-part tariff etc. Presently many states are utilizing their hydro generation for
meeting their base demand as well as balancing purpose, thus optimizing their system to
avoid deviation charge. Optimization of sub systems does not necessarily lead to optimization
This situation is due to shortage of gas. The BAU case carries forward a similar behavior in the future.
However, we anticipate that even with limited availability of gas we can run the gas based thermal
The typical Gas and Hydro generation curves before and after re-allocation are shown for each of the Typical
Days.
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13.4 Step II: Pump or Battery Storage or combination of both and Two Shift Operation
measures may be adopted on top of the measures of Step-I. These include the following.
1. Pump or Battery Storage or combination of both: In this report, we have assumed a conservative
during the monsoon months of June, July and August for six hours in the evening.
The typical Gas and Hydro generation curves before and after allocation are shown for each of the
Typical Days.
13.4.1 Step II: Pump or Battery Storage and Two Shift Operation on Lowest MTL Day
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13.4.2 Step II: Pump or Battery Storage and Two Shift Operation on Average Monsoon Day
The average day of monsoons has been derived after superimposing 92 days of June to August months of the
13.4.3 Step II: Pump or Battery Storage and Two Shift Operation on Average Non-Monsoon Day
step-II in coordination.
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energy potential, is emerging as a front-runner in installation of RE based power projects. The provisions
of must-run and feed-in tariffs for RES have made the sector more viable than other fuel sources. In such
a scenario, renewable energy curtailment looks like an aberration from the general policy of govt. of India.
Hence, it may be emphasized that the option of RE curtailment may only be looked upon as a last resort.
Issues such as Grid congestion and power evacuation may alone be considered as tenable reasons for
curtailment of RE.
ith the RES generation data available to us, we have attempted to demystify the issue of RE
curtailment. An important conclusion drawn from the analysis is that with just 1% RE curtailment the burden
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suggested in Step-II, are costly measures as on date. Hence, RES curtailment may be a more viable option.
However, with more capacity addition of RES after 2021-22 and reduction in prices of storage technologies,
the scenario is expected to change.
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The graph on the left is BAU scenario on an average day during monsoon. The graph on the right shows
hour. All thermal power stations should be usually capable of operation at loads of around
45% to 55%. If
Pump or Battery storage and RES curtailment can come to the rescue of thermal
power.
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Both regulated and market-based power systems can ensure appropriate investment in additional power plant
for them. This can be accomplished in regulated market-based power systems by improving energy pricing
and could provide a complementary source of income for power plants that are necessary to the system
but
following heads.
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) This is the one-time expenditure incurred in the installation of various
equipment required to make the plant capable of low load operation.
Operational Expenditure (OPEX)
cost indicated therein may be treated as being indicative in nature. Actual costs involved will highly depend
on the condition of a particular plant and the prevailing market scenario.
interventions at unit level. The number and type of interventions required would vary from plant to plant
depending on the age of unit and scope of works.
of around Rs.20 crores for implementation of measures enabling stable operation at 40%
minimum load.
Similarly, an estimate of Rs. 50 crore has been provided by GE for unit 2 of Talcher TPS of NTPC to enable
stable operation at 40% minimum load.
To operate a thermal unit below 40% load requires implementation of measures which will depend on the
unit design type, size, coal quality, historical operation, maintenance, and age of the units. The accumulated
guidance on remaining useful life of critical components, which in turn will guide the scope and extent of
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Generally, units are designed to operate on base load condition and all the components are accordingly
designed for certain creep life and certain fatigue life in terms of number of starts. As the operation
regime changes and moves away from base load operation to cycling operation, the component
life is consumed at a faster rate.
It has been observed that the extent of deterioration in Net Heat Rate depends on the percentage loading of
units. The estimates in this report are based on combustion engineering boiler design and GE make turbines
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Flexible operation leads to a higher rate of deterioration of plant components. This is observed in increased
failure rate and more frequent replacement of components. The impact on reduction in life of components
increases with increase in number of start stops the unit undergoes in a year. As a result, the operation and
Intertek, USA at Ramagundam TPS and Jhajjar TPS of NTPC. The study was based on
the ten-year historical
The above costs are based on the cycling cost studies of two units of NTPC. It is anticipated that as
these costs are based on the past cycling, which has not been very severe, they are expected to rise with
increase in cycling and age and condition of units.
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14.2.3 Cost due to Increased Oil Consumption due to frequent start/ stops.
The quantity of oil consumption depends on the duration of startup. The level of oil consumption for startup
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plants, which may have been built to operate round the clock. Power plants can provide different modes of
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Hence, entire day’s scheduling be done based on the forecasted value of maximum evening
to
run at low loads during the hours when high solar power is available and then they would be expected to
ramp up gradually when solar generation goes down and total demand picks up. An illustration is given
on the right above.
Analysis
The number of units scheduled from each category are calculated. Possible values of minimum load the units
are expected to run at is estimated.
given below. The category TSO would be used in Two Shift operation as detailed in .
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The scheduling of units has been done based on ECR data collected from .
All India Unit-level data
respective state merit order etc. Based on the data, the analysis of
technical capability data of the All India
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Further, Units having higher ECR are proposed to run at lower loads than units having lower ECR within the
same category in the table below:
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The demand met from coal generation in the average monsoon case is given below.
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Note: The scheduling has been envisaged considering the result of pilot test and studies of thermal units
for optimum scheduling of various sizes of thermal units may be done using a modelling software.
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of operation, maintenance and administration. Some of the measures required are listed below.
initiate training programs accordingly. The commercial impacts must also be sensitized.
Create transparency about the plant performance with respect to normal load, start-up and cycling
behavior in the current setup.
Optimization of underlying control loops, i.e. coal supply, drum level and air control, is a basic
requirement and plant operators need to consider interlocks coming from logics.
layup procedures as well as on maintenance strategies. The use of appropriate condition monitoring
systems is essential.
Optimize combustion: Stable combustion is the key aspect to ensure minimum load operation. The
following aspects are important
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9. Improve the coal quality: Better quality of coal improves the combustion process. Therefore, implement
10. Automate Control Procedures: Automated operation always has advantage over manual operation.
Some of the options that can be explored are:
The test procedure of the pilot test is attached at annexure-I for reference of the generating utilities.
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generators, slow tertiary frequency control as an ancillary service for manually changing the schedules of
brought out the need for automatic secondary frequency control in the Indian grid.
Almost every day it is observed that the inter-state shared generating stations have power reserves available
due to non-requisition by the states. Some generators are under reserve shutdown due to less requisition of
Considering the excellent controllability of power electronic devices and the low cost of the A
AGC. This would be
useful for regulation in extreme dispatch scenarios like run out of secondary
forecast can
be together used for deciding the participation of renewables under AGC for a particular time of the day.
In the normal operation, the renewables would be dispatched fully. However, in cases of either
levels, it
might be desirable to curtail RE through down regulation which can be done quickly through AGC signals.
This process would also bring in transparency in RE curtailment.
RRAS Regulation ‘Up’ service. The RRAS Regulation ‘Down’ service is provided by these generating stations
Probability High Impact Events. Thus, RRAS will help in facilitating large scale integration of renewables.
Hydro generators are suitable for providing fast response and peaking support. Fast Response Ancillary
stations e.g. to handle the hour-boundary frequency spikes. . In this direction, CERC, vide order in Petition
all Central sector hydro generating stations which would help in gaining experience. POSOCO has been
declared by the hydro stations shall be honored and the total energy delivered over the day would be
maintained as declared by the hydro station.
units as synchronous condensers for supplying reactive power as well as short circuit support.
Reactive power: Reactive power shortages are caused by a variety of factors: plant retirements, plant trips,
transmission line failures and peak electricity demand. Reliable sources of reactive power, like synchronous
balanced, the result can lead to system voltage instability, islanding, voltage collapse and, ultimately it leads
to system breakdown.
Short circuit support: As the condenser is a rotating device, it can also provide short circuit support in
addition to reactive power capacity. Conversion of thermal generating unit to a synchronous condenser can
provide electrical system voltage support resulting in a stable source of electric power.
mode of operation.
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
19.1 Conclusion
economically unviable for coal units to operate at such low loads especially with the high-
ash Indian coal. In step one, with additional peaking support from hydro and gas, the
minimum loads of coal
Finally, as a last resort, RE curtailment is explored with its corresponding impact on thermal minimum
from other fuel sources. Alternatively, provision for storage of 2.5% of daily energy production at plant
level by RE generator and utilization of same during peak demand hours will strategically minimize the
Flexible operation of smaller sized thermal unit is economical than that of bigger sized units. Thus, it is
proposed to run smaller size units at lower load and bigger size unit at comparatively higher load during low
grid demand or high solar generation period when the lower sized unit has equal or lower ECR compared
to the higher sized unit. Investment is required to implement various measures, which may vary from plant
have to work on this aspect. Regulatory intervention is also required for mandatory establishment of storage
19.2 Recommendations
1.
operated hydro plants would play an important role in re-allocation of hydro generation. Pumped
storage, existing and under-construction, may be used exclusively for peaking or balancing of system
lucrative, provision of two-part tariff and revision of grid code are suggested. Regulatory intervention is
required to implement the recommendation.
2.
the report.
3. Establishment of pump or battery storage or combination of both at strategic locations may be explored
for energy storage during high solar generation period and utilizing the same during peak demand
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cannot be avoided in the year 2021-22, especially during the monsoon period. It is suggested that
such geographical advantages are available in India. For others, mandatory establishment of battery
storage of 2.5% of daily energy generation at solar or wind plants is suggested. Regulatory intervention
is required to implement the same.
operation decreases with decreasing unit size. Therefore, it is suggested to operate smaller sized units,
ECR, should be given preference over other units in terms of generation schedule.
measures need to be undertaken to make the plants capable of low load operation. From the cost point
as below.
Pilot study of thermal units for operation at low load shall be conducted before implementation of
plant operators becomes an important measure in the changing operational regime. Therefore, training
programs on thermal power plant simulator should be institutionalized focusing on areas such as plant
Demand side management including measures targeted at domestic, agricultural, industrial and e-mobility
sectors would enable more rational consumption pattern of electricity, which would facilitate integration
of renewable generation. All these measures are recommended to increase power consumption during
available.
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Annexure 1: Data
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Annexure I
1. Minimum Thermal Load (MTL) is calculated such that all fuel sources operate as business-as-usual
(BAU) and all thermal units ramp up / ramp down at the same rate simultaneously. The critical day
obtained in this fashion is 27th July 2021.
2. 10% reserve has been considered. As APC deteriorates with low load operation, APC of 7% at
maximum load and 9% at minimum load is considered.
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Annexure
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Assumptions
1. Cost due to increase in Heat Rate and Auxiliary Power Consumption (APC)
For Significant Load Following, the calculations are mentioned in Tables 16 to 18.
The unit running as daily start-stop would remain either at zero load or at full load during its
operation in a day of the year. As such, for Daily Start, the net heat rate deteriorates by 3.8% &
6.3% for 200 MW & 500 MW unit resp.
The unit running as weekly start-stop would be required to flex during a day as per requirement
in addition to its weekly shutdown routine. As such, for Weekly Start, the net heat rate
deteriorates by 11.6% & 13.8% for 200 MW & 500 MW unit resp.
The base ECR has been assumed to be 200 paisa/kWh based on the average ECR of NTPC
stations from April to October 2018
2. Cost due to increase in Operation and Maintenance (O&M) due to reduction in life of
components
2.1 The increase in O&M cost due to load following on per unit basis is calculated as per the following
formula.
2.2 The increase in O&M cost due to Daily and Weekly Start on per unit basis is calculated as per the
following formula.
The increase in oil cost due to cycling on per unit basis is calculated as per the following formula.
Minutes of the meeting held on 8th February 2018 on Task Force Committee Report
on Flexibilisation of Thermal Power Plants
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
List of participants.
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
List of participants.
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
e
region and Tertiary reserves should be maintained in a de-centralized fashion by each state
control area for at least 50% of the largest generating unit available in the state control area.
This would mean secondary reserves of 1000 MW in Southern region; 800 MW in Western
regions; 800 MW in Northern region; 660 MW in Eastern region and 363MW in north-eastern
region. (total approx. 3600 MW on an All India basis). Primary reserves of 4000 MW would
be maintained on an All India basis considering 4000 MW generation outage as a credible
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation
1. CE (TPRM) welcomed the participants to the 7th meeting of the committee on Flexibilisation
of Thermal Power Plants and highlighted that pilot power project demonstration, identification
of units, transmission constraints, and economic / commercial analysis is the next step in the
study. He also congratulated NTPC for successful demonstration of 40% minimum load
operation at Dadri TPS, Unit 6.
2. Regarding pilot demonstration at Dadri TPS, unit 6, NTPC was requested to share its learnings,
test procedures, SOPs for guidance of the utilities.
3. An issue was raised by AGM, NTPC on operation of thermal plants equipped with FGD at
reduced loads. It remains a cause of concern whether FGD equipment will be able to perform
efficiently when the unit is running at low loads. In addition, upto what minimum load of the
TPS the performance of FGD will be called satisfactory.
4. Members discussed the matter of low load operation of TPS highlighting that the measures to
be implemented (automation etc.) for minimum load operation would require at least Rs. 10 to
15 Cr investment per unit. After detailed deliberation members agreed that the funding
opportunity for implementation of minimum load operation can be explored from PSDF, as it
is a matter of Grid security and stability. Further, funding option can also be explored from
Coal Cess Fund as investment in this regard is enabling integration of clean energy i.e. RES
directly.
5. Regarding flexibilisation from sources other than thermal:-
a. Members expressed hope that battery storage may become viable in coming years and
may be helpful in reducing the burden of RES integration on thermal power stations.
b. Members also expressed that modifications in approach towards distribution of Gas
may be required in order to employ Gas based power stations in flexible operation.
6. Members also emphasized that training of power plant personnel / operators on simulators and
education on automation etc. would be essential for operation of thermal units at low load.
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Central Electricity Authority Flexible Operation Of Thermal Plant For Integration Of Renewable Generation