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The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has proposed mandatory installation of automatic weather stations (AWS) at wind and solar plants of 50 MW or above. This move aims to enhance grid reliability and efficiency of green energy projects. The directive, issued on July 7, seeks to optimize renewable energy generation and improve predictability, addressing issues like inaccurate weather forecasts that lead to financial penalties. Guidelines specify AWS placement, parameters, and data transmission. All renewable energy implementing agencies are directed to include this requirement in bid documents.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recently proposed a new requirement for renewable energy projects. In a notification dated July 7, the CEA mandated the installation of automatic weather stations (AWS) at facilities of 50 MW or more, impacting wind and solar power plants across India. This initiative aims to improve grid reliability and the efficiency of green energy generation. Advertisement
The CEA has stated the necessity of installing automatic weather stations in solar and wind power plants. The authority emphasizes that accurate measurement of critical meteorological parameters will optimize renewable energy generation. This is expected to improve overall generation predictability, efficiency, enhance grid reliability, and ensure regulatory compliance. The CEA noted that forecasting errors often result in financial penalties under the Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM).
The CEA has prepared guidelines for AWS installation and directed all renewable energy implementing agencies (REIAs) to include this requirement in bid documents. Typically, one AWS per renewable energy plant is to be installed for capacities of 50 MW and above, or as per respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) regulations, when connected to the intra-state network.
Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS)-connected renewable energy plants will be governed by respective Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) regulations. The AWS should be located within the renewable energy project site. The site area should be 10m x 10m, leveled, and kept free of obstructions like buildings, structures, trees, bushes, or equipment that could cause shading, turbulence, or local interference. Herbicides should be sprayed, and sites cleaned.
For solar power plants, irradiance sensors must be mounted at the same tilt and orientation as the photovoltaic modules, and the AWS should be located in terrain that closely resembles the overall site conditions. For wind power projects, the AWS must be positioned in areas that reflect the true wind regime of the site, avoiding turbulence zones or artificial barriers. The AWS should be capable of measuring parameters like wind speed and rainfall (in mm), and converting them to a digital format for transmission to the Data Acquisition System (DAS).
In February, the CEA issued an advisory on co-locating energy storage systems with solar power projects, aimed at enhancing cost efficiency and grid stability. As India increases its reliance on renewable energy, managing the variability of solar and wind power becomes crucial for grid stability.
Source- PTI
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