In Conversation
Renewable energy in India is a priority like never before — Alok Kumar, Country Manager, Advisory, India, DNV GL – Energy
DNV GL is a global quality assurance and risk management company that has a longstanding presence in India, across the energy value chain. In this editorial engagement, we have Alok Kumar taking us through DNV GL’s services in the field of renewable energy— mainly solar and wind—as also energy storage. He observes that since renewable energy in India has become a priority like never before, DNV GL’s role becomes increasingly important. An interaction by Venugopal Pillai.
Can we start by understanding the broad scope of activities of DNV GL in India, in the field of renewable energy? DNV GL delivers world-renowned testing and advisory services to the energy value chain including renewables and energy efficiency. Our expertise spans across onshore and offshore wind power, solar, conventional generation, energy storage, transmission and distribution, smart grids, and sustainable energy use, as well as energy markets and regulations. DNV GL has a wealth of experience working in the Indian wind energy market, dating back to 1996; providing a wide range of technical services and advice to developers and investors alike from the early stages of site finding and feasibility. DNV GL has completed 30 Wind Mapping exercises across India to date; including the production of a full mesoscale wind map of India, right through to full technical due diligence and owners engineer assignments. DNV GL has also designed and optimised the micrositing of over 1,500 wind turbines, and has analysed more than 50,000
mw of potential assignments in India. Our state-of-the art robust forecasting service combined with weather forecast information from many of the world’s foremost meteorological organizations provide highly accurate forecasts in India. In preparation for the future energy transition, we have heavily invested time and resources in high voltage/high power testing, digital solutions, big data analytics, asset management tools, and the further use of artificial intelligence applications for the wind and solar industries.
DNV GL officials conducting inspection of a solar installation in India
A Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) tests for wind turbines in progress
T&D India 74 March 2018
Tell us about your patented design software popular in India’s wind energy sector. DNV GL’s industry standard wind turbine design software “Bladed” is widely used by turbine manufacturers and R&D institutions globally. Also, many Indian wind turbines are certified and type-tested by DNV GL and our Guideline for the Certification of Wind Turbines is recognized by NIWE. DNV GL’s industry standard WindFarmer:Analyst software is
ISO Registered 9001 : 2015 C-114, Punit Industrial Premises Co.-Op. Soc. Ltd., Plot No. D11/11A, Thane - Belapur Road, Opp. Turbhe Railway Station, Turbhe, Navi Mumbai - 400 705. Maharashtra (India) Tel.: 022-27619049 I 50 (PDLO VDOHV#HOHFDUH LQ :HEVLWH ZZZ HOHFWURFDUHLQGLD LQ
%5$1&+(6 *2$ 0$+$' 381( .+232/, 52+$ $0%(51$7+ 9$6$,
DNV GL – Energy
In Conversation used by many wind farm developers. Following a recent requirement by Government in India, we have conducted Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) tests for wind turbines using our own specialized container. And, also we are the technical partner for the first largest offshore wind project in India–FOWIND, which is largely funded by the European Union.
challenges that include technical issues posed by renewables, inadequate grid infrastructure and poor financial health. These challenges have resulted into payment delay and unreasonable demand of rebate in dues, reservations in honoring the power purchase agreement (PPA) and letter of intent (LoI) in the light of lower tariff achieved A screenshot of DNV GL’s industry standard wind turbine design through reverse auctions software “Bladed” Solar energy is gaining and frequent backing much traction in India down of renewable in recent years. What are your DNV GL manages a Product generations. activities specific to the solar PV Qualification Program and batch Electricity is in the concurrent industry? testing for both PV modules and list in the Indian Constitution Yes, in addition to our wind inverters. Qualification includes which means that both the central capabilities, DNV GL has been extensive PV module and inverter and state governments have active in the Indian solar market testing that extends far beyond the jurisdiction. It is pertinent that since 2012. Also, through smart grid minimal IEC certification standards. importance of commitment given projects, system coordination and Participation in the program is by central government under control for grid, SCADA systems, typically funded by manufacturers. the Paris agreement are equally and a comprehensive capacity Downstream partners (banks, appreciated and supported by state building program for government developers, IPPs, EPCs) can obtain governments. Policy makers should we are supporting the renewable access to the reports and data at consider the short- and long-term integration efforts in India. no cost. There are presently over challenges while devising the policy, Working with equipment more than 100 downstream partners it is also important that system manufacturers, project developers, enrolled in this program. operators are sensitised and suitably owners and financial institutions, we Similarly, GreenPowerMonitor, trained, through a comprehensive manage risk throughout the value also a part of DNV GL, is the only capacity building program for chain helping to ensure the safety company that covers the entire value better appreciation of importance and performance of systems, from chain in the field of monitoring and of renewables, and to equip them residential/commercial rooftops to managing renewable power plants to overcome the challenges that multi-megawatt power plants. DNV with their specialized services. It renewables pose. GL has performed bankable energy provides all the tools for optimising assessments for cumulative project the performance of solar and wind Integration of intermittent sources capacity exceeding 1700MW, and power plants. of energy like solar and wind into have undertaken several root cause the grid has its own complexities. analysis, operational assessment, One report by DNV GL very aptly How important is this aspect in module qualification and batch observes that policymakers and DNV GL’s scope of activities? testing of solar panels, and energy system operators have divergent Yes, intermittent sources of energy storage advisory and structural priorities, and therefore different pose some challenges but fortunately design review of trackers in India. requirements. Please discuss this in these can be largely tackled In addition, DNV GL is the only the context of the Indian renewable technically. Countries like Spain and company currently offering Project energy market. Germany have ensured that more Certification for PV power plants. While policymakers in India are than 30 per cent of the total energy PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), a very clear in the effort to achieve mix is coming from renewables, part of DNV GL, has state of the the national targets set to address while the same is less than 7 per cent art laboratory and outdoor testing climate change under the Paris for India, albeit with a few states like facilities to evaluate solar panels agreement, system operators are Tamil Nadu managing to achieve and other solar system components. grappling more with the day-to-day around 17 per cent. T&D India 76 March 2018
DNV GL – Energy
In Conversation As mentioned before, our stateof-the-art short term forecasting tool and services for both wind and solar provide day-ahead accurate forecasts for the better planning of renewable resources. DNV GL is also accredited and recognized to conduct Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) tests and certify the capability in a wind turbine which is necessary to ensure that wind farms remain connected to the grid during short dropouts; major blackouts are subsequently avoided. To ensure the smooth integration of renewables, the dominant trend is towards the larger grid network and connectivity. For example, The European Union has targets for 10 per cent interconnection capacity by 2020, rising to 15 per cent by 2030. Similarly, there is a plan for a multi-national power transmission project in Asia. For such large distance transmission, super grids are required that enable resources to
Testing of a solar PV module underway be shared in a spatial and temporal diversification due to different time zones and seasonal differences. The idea behind our KEMA High Power Laboratory is to allow the industry to test and certify the components needed to build such super grids. Our High Power Lab is now the first facility in the world capable of testing the emerging class of ultra-high voltage (UHV) grid components. It can test power transformers up to 800kV and switchgear up to 1,200kV. Finally, DNV GL was also involved in a comprehensive capacity building program of more than 60 Indian government officials for renewable integration.
T&D India 78 March 2018
Alongside renewables, energy storage is also gaining prominence. Please tell us about DNV GL’s work in this area in India. DNV GL has been active in this space and provides technical advisory services in energy storage in India. We have created tools to assess technology potential of energy storage systems, and have conducted our own storage research. Supported by our world-class testing labs and field support, we guide investors, manufacturers, developers and operators across the entire energy storage value chain. The services we provide include engineering feasibility studies, energy storage business case evaluation, market and technology analysis, technology roadmaps, system load studies, grid modelling and technical analysis, optimising storage placement and sizing, optimising storage dispatch logic based on grid requirements, and on-site calibration. DNV GL has
In Conversation created proprietary models that allow for the evaluation of entire electric grids on a seconds-to-minutes basis for storage applications. These include ancillary services, renewable integration, community energy storage, peak power substitution, peak shifting, and arbitrage. Our GRIDSTOR Recommended Practice document (DNVGL-RP0043) is a one-stop guideline for safe and sustainable grid-connected energy storage. The GRIDSTOR Recommended Practice (RP) offers a blueprint for an independent quality guarantee of the safe implementation and operation of energy storage. GRIDSTOR, the result of a Joint Industry Project brings together the most important and relevant standards, guidelines and industry experience into a single document. India has targeted to attain 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, out of which 100 GW is
expected to come from solar alone. How do you see the years ahead for DNV GL in India’s renewable energy sector? What will be you key growth drivers? Renewable energy in India is a priority like never before, and DNV GL, the world’s largest renewable energy consulting firm, will certainly play its expected role. It is important that such a remarkable growth in renewables is achieved through the right quality and reliability and this is where DNV GL’s role becomes more important than before. Committed to provide more accurate and reliable energy assessments, high quality technical services and innovation, DNV GL continues to bring to the Indian market its world class expertise and experience of working across more than 200 offices globally. It is very important that such large scale renewable assets are not only built but are correctly managed
T&D India 80 March 2018
and operated efficiently. In the near future, the DNV GL global operations and control room will be available in India, providing state of the art methodologies and technology for the most efficient asset management. In addition to our ability to couple modeling and technology assessments with hands-on testing and engineering support, independent research activities are conducted to help establish safety protocols, recommended practices, and develop unique tools to support specific applications. DNV GL dedicates 5 per cent of its revenues to research and innovation, with our Research & Innovation team focusing on key aspects of the evolving storage industry and solar application considerations. The newly established ‘Technology & Innovation’ team in India will ensure that efforts in innovation are directed to solve the local technical challenges. n