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Global experts on Solar and Storage called on by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inputs on affordable solar power for everyone

August 29, 2018 / Press Release

Pune, India: The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India as part of its overall outreach to the Indian Diaspora regularly organizes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conferences on specific themes. On 24th August 2018, the panelists of Pravasi Bharatiya Panel discussed on “Role of Indian Diaspora in Capacity Building for Affordable Solar Power” called on by the Prime Minister. This included renowned experts, academicians, innovators, industrialists, and entrepreneurs from Indian diaspora and India. They presented the outcomes of their discussions over the last two days in areas such utility- scale solar, off-grid and microgrid solutions, solar storage, next- generation solar technologies and innovative financing options for the renewable sector.

India has an ambitious target of 175 GW of renewables by 2022. The key challenge for reaching these targets would be the ability of the grid to integrate variability associated with these renewables, as well as the huge investment required for upgrading the T&D infrastructure. Energy storage can help in better integration of these renewable by providing multiple values to the system such as optimizing T&D investments, addressing forecasting errors in wind and solar generation for more accurate scheduling, addressing local reliability issues by providing reactive power support and also enabling end users for managing peak load and more efficient utilization of distributed renewables etc. With the rapid reduction in the cost of both solar and storage, customers can see solar plus storage as an alternative for the peak power from the grid at the same time, utilities can avoid investments in Peaker capacity or eliminate load shedding by utilizing these resources.

In recent months various tenders on solar + storage were floated by SECI, BESCOM, NTPC, and NLC in states like Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Recently, Minister of Power Shri R.K. Singh apprised the Lok Sabha about proposed National Energy Storage Mission (NESM) with the objective to strive for leadership in energy storage sector by creating an enabling policy and regulatory framework that encourages manufacturing, deployment, innovation and further cost reduction.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rahul Walawalkar, Executive Director, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) said, It was a privilege to be a part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference and discussing the role of Solar and Energy Storage for India’s development. I look forward towards the launch of National Energy Storage Mission to support energy access, e-mobility & RE Integration. India Energy Storage Alliance supports the vision to make India a global hub for R&D and manufacturing of Advanced Energy Storage systems and EVs by 2022 and we’re continuously working towards it.”

About India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA):

The India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) was launched in 2012 to assess the market potential of Energy Storage Technologies in India, through an active dialogue and subsequent analysis among the various stakeholders to make the Indian industry and power sector aware of the tremendous need for Energy Storage in the very near future. IESA aims to make India a Global Hub for research and manufacturing of advanced energy storage technologies by 2020. During past years IESA membership has grown from 5 to 70+ and covers verticals from Energy Storage Manufacturers, Research institutes & universities, Renewable Energy companies and Power electronics companies. IESA website: www.indiaesa.info

Press Contact – India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA):

Swati Gantellu

Assistant Manager- Corporate Communications

Tel- 9168429492 | Email- sgantellu@ces-ltd.com

About Customized Energy Solutions (CES)

Established in 1998, Customized Energy Solutions is an energy advisory and service company that works closely with Clients to navigate the wholesale and retail electricity markets across the United States and globally, including India, Japan, Canada and Mexico. CES offers software solutions, back office operational support, and advisory and consulting services focused on asset optimization and energy market participation efficiency. CES is also a third-party asset manager of approximately 10,000MWs of renewable and conventional generation resources across all ISOs in the United States and Ontario, Canada. CES empowers clients to achieve their goals by helping them navigate the evolving energy markets, complex market rules, and new energy technologies entering the markets.