In July 2022, a significant step forward was made in the realm of renewable energy (RE) generation with the submission and subsequent approval of a comprehensive report by a collaborative Working Group comprising members from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Central Transmission Utility (CTU), Grid-India, and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). This report focused on compliance with CEA’s Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid Regulations, is poised to guide RE generators across India in their design and operational strategies.
One key aspect addressed in this report was the critical consideration of temperature extremes specific to the locations of RE generating stations. For the design of their machinery such as Wind Turbine Generators (WTG) and inverters, RE developers are advised to reference temperature data obtained from the nearest India Meteorological Department (IMD) measuring station.
Recognizing the challenges faced by RE developers in accessing such crucial meteorological data, the CEA diligently pursued the matter with IMD. As a result, IMD provided maximum temperature data from 389 measuring stations spanning from 2001 to 2023, complete with station coordinates and a comprehensive map illustrating temperature variations across the country.
The outlined procedure mandates RE generators to compute the design temperature’s higher extremum based on the maximum or extreme temperature recorded at the location of their generating stations. This method, clearly detailed in Point No. 4 of the Working Group’s report, requires utilizing IMD data to determine the maximum temperature closest to the RE plant’s pooling station.
To execute this, RE developers must identify the nearest IMD weather measuring station based on the coordinates of their RE plant’s pooling station, as provided by IMD’s data (Annexure-I). The maximum temperature value from this nearest station is then rounded up to the next higher integer and augmented by an additional 1°C. This adjusted temperature serves as the design criterion for RE plant machinery, factoring in considerations for global climate change and ensuring operational viability throughout the plant’s lifecycle.
This methodology, deemed robust by the Working Group, emphasizes the importance of leveraging IMD’s comprehensive data to inform design decisions critical to the functionality and resilience of RE plants. Furthermore, to facilitate ease of reference and ongoing updates, the CEA commits to an annual review and publication of revised temperature data on its website. Until these updates are implemented, developers are encouraged to rely on the latest data available through the CEA portal for optimal design and performance of their WTGs and inverters.
The collaborative efforts of the CEA, CTU, Grid-India, SECI, and IMD have resulted in a clear, data-driven protocol for assessing design temperatures crucial to RE plant operations. This standardized approach not only streamlines the design process but also underscores the commitment to adaptability in the face of evolving climate dynamics, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of India’s renewable energy sector.
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