India's Power Sector

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 22 Jul 2008 00:17

What is the potential for Independent Solar Power Generation in India for residential use? Are there any studies on this which someone can point me to.. General information on how much power a solar (PV panel) generates, what it can support in terms of systems, how much the cost is, where the energy is stored, etc?

Rishirishi · Post by **Rishirishi** » 22 Jul 2008 02:36

JE Menon wrote:What is the potential for Independent Solar Power Generation in India for residential use? Are there any studies on this which someone can point me to.. General information on how much power a solar (PV panel) generates, what it can support in terms of systems, how much the cost is, where the energy is stored, etc?

I had a few links, will dig them up for you. Here are some of the highlights.

1
The greatest problem with Solar power is that it turns off when after dark. Backup inverter is too costly (better to just recharge the inverter from regular electric supply)

2
The power output is small. A paner of 100 cm x 50 cm may only produce about 100 wats of energy. when you factor the cost into it, it is not worth it.

If you look at solar power from an individual household perspective, the 2 above mentioned points makes solarpower an unattriactive solution.

Larger solar power plants can sometimes be a solution if the demand is far away, and one can avoid building long transmission lines.

here is an interesting link on large 500 mw plants. They claim that the cost of electricity could come down to 11 cents per kwh, if the plant size was 500 mw. Dry areas like Thar desert could benefit from such a scheme. The power plant in Mojavi desert produces 385 mw on an area of 4 sq km. An area of 10 km x 10 km could probably produce near 10 000 MW. So it could be interesting.
http://news.cnet.com/Shrinking-the-cost ... 82947.html

G Subramaniam · Post by **G Subramaniam** » 22 Jul 2008 09:56

JE Menon wrote:What is the potential for Independent Solar Power Generation in India for residential use? Are there any studies on this which someone can point me to.. General information on how much power a solar (PV panel) generates, what it can support in terms of systems, how much the cost is, where the energy is stored, etc?

I live in NJ
A few years ago, there were a lot of rebates
and people were putting up 2 kW solar water heater for hot water
and 7KW Solar panel on the roof

On average, you get 4 hours of usable sun
If you mount the solar panels on a tracker that tracks the sun,
you can get 8 hours

So at least 28KWH to 56 KWH per roof, providing your roof gets clear view of sun

In India, you can get 6 hours of sunlight
and Indian roofs are smaller, maybe 3KW
so 20KwH per day

Also, in USA, farmers put up a lot of solar panels on mounted racks

So, Solar power is very useful for off-grid

In addition, a lot of places in USA, you can put 200W windmill on your roof
and assume 5 hours of wind per day = 1 kwHR

--

Another use of solar is in lights
They sell a lot of solar lamps which charge a battery by day and then light an LED at night

This is very low wattage

Rishirishi · Post by **Rishirishi** » 22 Jul 2008 20:15

G Subramaniam wrote:
JE Menon wrote:What is the potential for Independent Solar Power Generation in India for residential use? Are there any studies on this which someone can point me to.. General information on how much power a solar (PV panel) generates, what it can support in terms of systems, how much the cost is, where the energy is stored, etc?

I live in NJ
A few years ago, there were a lot of rebates
and people were putting up 2 kW solar water heater for hot water
and 7KW Solar panel on the roof

On average, you get 4 hours of usable sun
If you mount the solar panels on a tracker that tracks the sun,
you can get 8 hours

So at least 28KWH to 56 KWH per roof, providing your roof gets clear view of sun

In India, you can get 6 hours of sunlight
and Indian roofs are smaller, maybe 3KW
so 20KwH per day

Also, in USA, farmers put up a lot of solar panels on mounted racks

So, Solar power is very useful for off-grid

In addition, a lot of places in USA, you can put 200W windmill on your roof
and assume 5 hours of wind per day = 1 kwHR

--

Another use of solar is in lights
They sell a lot of solar lamps which charge a battery by day and then light an LED at night

This is very low wattage

The 2-7 kwh panels you mention. Are they delivering 2-7 kwh constantly, or is it the accumelated power during the day. (in case of a 2kwh panel would give a constant supply of 350 w). Are they popular in the states?

bala · Post by **bala** » 23 Jul 2008 00:02

Here is an example of Solar Powered Community in India, happens to be in the neck of comrades neighborhood in West Bengal..

Kolkata builds a housing project powered by sun

What is interesting is that it is perhaps the first project in the country where residents push power — generated in their rooftop solar photovoltaic panels — into the grid of power utilities. If they are “power surplus”, they can supply it to the state power utilities and the balance is adjusted to their total consumption of electricity. In this “net metering concept”, consumers pay only for the net energy consumption (calculated on how much they consume from power utilities and how much they push into the grid).

* The architecture is based on a “Solar Passive Concept” — buildings are oriented to receive the southern breeze while the cavities of walls have “puff insulation” that keeps extreme temperatures at bay. This means it is warm indoors during winters and cool during summers, almost dispensing with the need for air-conditioners. Plus, the windowpanes of the community centre are transparent photovoltaic panels which double up as windows.

* A “Grid Interactive Solar PV” means the buildings and community centre are connected with a “grid” or supply network of power utilities, says S P Gon Chaudhuri, Director, WBREDA.

* The complex’s own hydro-pneumatic water pump starts working when there is a reduction of pressure inside the pipes caused by opening of taps, flushing cisterns etc. The pump has a varying frequency so that it operates only up to the speed which is needed to get full pressure, thereby saving energy. It operates at maximum capacity only when all the taps are opened.

* Each bungalow has own “power plant” on the rooftop, comprising a solar photovoltaic panel with a capacity of two kilowatts. Household gadgets and electric installations can run on solar power during the day. Post sunset, with the generation dwindling, the system automatically switches to conventional electricity.

* The PV system also has an in-built power back-up system, which stores around 3 kilowatts of power. So, in case of an emergency at night, say during power cuts, one can switch to the back-up to harness stored power. An inverter helps the “switchover” post-sunset. All residents have been advised to opt for LEDs and CFLs.

* Each house is fitted with a solar heater on the rooftop connected to kitchen and bathrooms. The small water tank in the solar heater has a thermal insulation which provides round-the-clock hot water supply.

* There is a swimming pool heated by solar energy.

* All the 17 streetlights are fitted with solar photovoltaic panels.

Just to give a perspective: 2 KW for say a million homes in India = 2 million KW = 2000 MW plus round-the-clock hot water supply. Now if buildings both Govt and Private opt in then the need for central power plants reduces big time. With nuclear and wind energy, the dependence on Coal fired plants can reduce thereby eliminating C02 emissions. I hope the trend catches on elsewhere in India big time.

On Costs: need to consider costs of operating coal plants say for 20 yrs and the carbon penalty too. For solar the costs are upfront, but maintenance costs are next to zero for 20 yrs.

astal · Post by **astal** » 23 Jul 2008 02:37

There is a study by Haas (Berkeley Business) professor Severin Borenstein about residential PV generation in California that gives a good idea of all the cost factors for residential photo-voltaics.

Many factors including location and slant of roofs, nearby trees, their growth and ambient temperature makes calculations and generalization difficult.

I attended a talk hosted by Prof. Borenstein and the gist was, considering everything (including inverter maintenance and life span of the solar cells) except carbon emission, the cost of energy generated by photo-voltaics was about 4 times that of other fossil fuel sources.

The electricity generation efficiency of solar PV's actually falls with temperature beyond about 25 deg C. So perhaps India would be even less efficient than California on that account. He mentioned that though residential solar power becomes more beneficial as we attach a value for carbon emission, wind energy and other alternate sources are more cost effective than residential Photo-voltaics.

The only caveat is that technology improves rapidly and with thin film photo-voltaic cells (using far less silicon) and energy storage advances, the economics might change.

For details please refer to http://www.ucei.berkeley.edu/PDF/csemwp176.pdf

On the other hand, large scale solar power plants might be more promising. Some work on this is being done recently and there was an article in the New York Times about storing solar energy in molten salts, heated by mirrors in very large reflecting solar power plants.

Another factor is manufacturing capacity for PV generation and ultimately silicon for the next few years is tied up with more capacity coming up in three years or so. Manufacturing and raw material constraints will also play a part in determining the economics of residential PV generation.

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 23 Jul 2008 21:26

Thanx all

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 24 Jul 2008 07:20

bala wrote:Just to give a perspective: 2 KW for say a million homes in India = 2 million KW = 2000 MW plus round-the-clock hot water supply. Now if buildings both Govt and Private opt in then the need for central power plants reduces big time. With nuclear and wind energy, the dependence on Coal fired plants can reduce thereby eliminating C02 emissions. I hope the trend catches on elsewhere in India big time.

On Costs: need to consider costs of operating coal plants say for 20 yrs and the carbon penalty too. For solar the costs are upfront, but maintenance costs are next to zero for 20 yrs.

Bala,

Solar maintenance is not zero.

6 years ago I installed a 5 kw Amorphous Thin Film PV system for a school. At that time it cost roughly $50,000.00.

Within 5 years almost half the cells have such reduced function that the rated capacity has dropped to just under 2 KW mostly because the power is extracted row by row and the failure of one cell leaves large chunks on the shadow side.

Now we can go in and replace these rows but it is fairly expensive.

Also the peak production varies dramatical as a log function of incidence.

At peak sunlight of 100 lumens the production is most efficient. But even a small cloud reduces insolation to 10 lumens. Cutting production to 1% or less due to the frequency characteristics of the light.

There is also the energy storage problem.

G Subramaniam · Post by **G Subramaniam** » 24 Jul 2008 07:36

As Theo has posted, using solar panels is very ineffective way of generating electricity

A better way is to use thermal energy from the sun
Hot water heaters,
Steam cookers

Also I read an article where salt solution is superheated by the sun and made to turn turbines

Swaroop · Post by **Swaroop** » 24 Jul 2008 11:28

Check this out:
http://www.avinc.com/wind.asp

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 24 Jul 2008 18:08

Swaroop wrote:Check this out:
http://www.avinc.com/wind.asp

A much better system is this one.

http://www.helixwind.com/en/product.php

I'm installing one on a project I'm working on right now.

Will see how it goes.

bala · Post by **bala** » 24 Jul 2008 21:55

Theo, Subra,

Yes I agree costs are not zero but they are small. Companies in US Bay Area like Google, Microsoft, HP, IBM etc have installed some variation of Solar Power on their rooftops and are saving a ton of money in energy bills. Sun Power a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductors is making fist loads of money selling solar panels. Solar power usage can reduce the dependence on Oil/Coal to some extent, say 30%, which is substantial compared to other forms of energy. Solar power using heating is also a good way to go. PG&E I believe is coming up with a huge solar plant in Southern California based on Rankine engine/Solar heating. Wind energy investments in the US are going up big time, with T. Boone Pickens, the texas oil man, unleashing a plan for vast areas in Texas to be populated by Wind Turbines. The energy crisis in the world will have an impact in the way things are being done currently and in a few years we may see drastic changes.

Bade · Post by **Bade** » 24 Jul 2008 22:30

When we are at a stage with 4-7 hr of power cuts every day, all these fancy cost estimates, where solar PV generation loses out makes little sense. If regular grid power availability is 50% or less , and any given renewable energy source depending on location (solar, wind etc) costs even 4 times more, and if one badly needs 24/7 power at home why would some upfront costs deter anyone.

We need a mass produced setup for household needs alone. Pretty sure that the 50 million middle class can afford them even now.

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 24 Jul 2008 23:08

bala wrote:TSun Power a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductors is making fist loads of money selling solar panels.

There a huge difference between making money from the panels vs making money from the energy.

What ever Google, etc are generating from the roof it is a drop in the bucket. For instance to get the LEED point the roof panel probably generates 2.5% of the building load. A rounding error in most cases.

Typically even a very very efficient building consumes 1 KW per 50 sqft for Heat/cool/light/etc.

So the million sqft google campus probably consumes about 20 Mega Watts per hour. Probably much more. You would need roughly 2000 acres of solar cells for that one building to keep it going 24/7.

Solar power usage can reduce the dependence on Oil/Coal to some extent, say 30%, which is substantial compared to other forms of energy. Solar power using heating is also a good way to go. PG&E I believe is coming up with a huge solar plant in Southern California based on Rankine engine/Solar heating. Wind energy investments in the US are going up big time, with T. Boone Pickens, the texas oil man, unleashing a plan for vast areas in Texas to be populated by Wind Turbines. The energy crisis in the world will have an impact in the way things are being done currently and in a few years we may see drastic changes.

Solar & wind is useful but people have a hard time understanding the sheer scale of our energy consumption.

Even replacing 1% is a huge challenge.

jahaju · Post by **jahaju** » 24 Jul 2008 23:47

financial express

No bailout in sight, Ratnagiri project faces permanent shutdown
Sanjay Jog
Posted online: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 23:22 hrs

Mumbai, Jul 15This could well be curtains for the Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private Ltd if no bailout package is offered immediately.

The project, previously known as Dabhol project, faces a permanent closure on account of recurring technical snags and serious financial problems. Two major gas turbine failures have occurred since the project’s revival in April 2006. These turbines have been supplied by GE. Due to frequent closures or under-capacity utilisation, the project is losing a huge amount of money and is currently not in a position to order mandatory spares. This is leading to longer outages and some of the units may have to shut down on account of lack of spares.

Besides, there has been underrecovery by the Ratnagiri Gas & Power Pvt Ltd (RGPPL), which took over the project assets since October 2005. RGPPL has made a strong pitch for increase in the tariff to ensure that the project does not default on payments to lenders.

According to RGPPL sources, the project has sought an immediate bailout package including interim increase in power block capacity charge till completion of the project viability exercise, funding of about Rs 300 crore through Power Finance Corporation (PFC), availability of Rs 200 crore for mandatory spares for power facility and Rs 100 crore for balance completion of works such as interest during construction (IDC) payout to PFC.

Further, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) may be advised to help in indigenous/non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) repairs of spares in view of repeated failures and prohibitive cost of GE and 5% inter-state sale of power be deferred till completion of project viability exercise. Such an inter state sale of 5% of power is mandatory as the Ratnagiri project enjoys the status of a mega power project.

Sources said the gas turbine 2A failed in January after 2,841 firing hours and failure of the second turbine 2B had occured in January last year after 8,801 firing hours. A third major failure could have also taken place but was fortunately averted. During borescopic inspection on June 23, 2008, cracks were detected in compressor stage 15 static vane (S15) of gas turbine 3B after 5,248 hours of firing. GE has advised opening of casing leading to shutdown of about 45 days.

There are also frequent failure in liners, TPs and nozzles. In view of failure, GE has advised preventive borescopic inspection of each machine at an interval of 1,000 hours.

Further, RGPPL has reiterated that the current tariff of 101.6 paise per unit is based on revival cost of Rs 672 crore and the commissioning of the third block in January 2008. Actual revival cost has, however, risen to Rs 1,020 crore. If the existing tariff of 101.6 paise/kwh continues for 2008-09, the project will suffer serious underrecovery. The revenue gap has been estimated at Rs 300 crore under an optimistic scenario and Rs 430 crore under a pessimistic situation.

GE has advised preventive borescopic inspection of each machine at an interval of 1,000 hours.

which means that as turbines are run 24 hrs a day, a shut down has to be taken every 41st day, casings' opened up and turbine blades inspected.

Time pass hai and GE doesnot care a bit. Even BHEL compressors perform better than this rot.

As per latest news Maharashtra govt has announced 40 hrs continuous power cut to industries i.e. five day week as it is facing 5000mw shortage.

vishwakarmaa · Post by **vishwakarmaa** » 25 Jul 2008 04:57

Its about ethos and culture. American companies are as corrupt as any Indian politician.

Its easy for american companies to go without any penalties. Politicians don't have balls to take action on any unkil companies.

Raju · Post by **Raju** » 25 Jul 2008 17:23

Theo_Fidel wrote:
bala wrote:TSun Power a subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductors is making fist loads of money selling solar panels.
There a huge difference between making money from the panels vs making money from the energy.

What ever Google, etc are generating from the roof it is a drop in the bucket. For instance to get the LEED point the roof panel probably generates 2.5% of the building load. A rounding error in most cases.

Typically even a very very efficient building consumes 1 KW per 50 sqft for Heat/cool/light/etc.

So the million sqft google campus probably consumes about 20 Mega Watts per hour. Probably much more. You would need roughly 2000 acres of solar cells for that one building to keep it going 24/7.

Solar power usage can reduce the dependence on Oil/Coal to some extent, say 30%, which is substantial compared to other forms of energy. Solar power using heating is also a good way to go. PG&E I believe is coming up with a huge solar plant in Southern California based on Rankine engine/Solar heating. Wind energy investments in the US are going up big time, with T. Boone Pickens, the texas oil man, unleashing a plan for vast areas in Texas to be populated by Wind Turbines. The energy crisis in the world will have an impact in the way things are being done currently and in a few years we may see drastic changes.
Solar & wind is useful but people have a hard time understanding the sheer scale of our energy consumption.

Even replacing 1% is a huge challenge.

Calculate from an Indian perspective. Do not go into American commercial energy consumptions with severe winter loads.

For an small rural Indian household (or even a western household that lives off-grid) generating around 300-500 W/hr through solar panels is more than sufficient. If this can be integerated into the building roof and the windows or on certain walls facing the Sun, phir to sone pe suhaaga.

If we can integrate all high rise apt complexes (roofs and sun facing sides make a large area) and rural houses in India with solar power, then that can alleviate most of the problems these people face with regards to irregular power supply. After all something is better than nothing. Don't give airconditioning, just give a bloody fan.

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 28 Jul 2008 00:38

Raju wrote:Don't give airconditioning, just give a bloody fan.

By your logic a simple hand held panka will suffice.

No need to get fancy schmancy.

Afterall, everyone in India is destitute and just some random fans here and there will solve all our problems.

Neshant · Post by **Neshant** » 28 Jul 2008 01:02

in most parts of India, hydro electric dams have the biggest benefit to cost ratio.

they increase irrigation, flood control and even transportation. the only problem is the high population density results in conflict when people are asked to move.

somehow i think foreign powers fund this agitation or publicise it to further reduce India's energy options so only energy generation methods under their control (nuclear) become viable.

Swaroop · Post by **Swaroop** » 28 Jul 2008 18:49

Theo_Fidel wrote:
Swaroop wrote:Check this out:
http://www.avinc.com/wind.asp
A much better system is this one.

http://www.helixwind.com/en/product.php

I'm installing one on a project I'm working on right now.

Will see how it goes.

Theo, I would be very interested in knowing how it goes. Please do let me know.

Ananth · Post by **Ananth** » 01 Aug 2008 21:41

We had an excellent thread about hydrogen economy about 2 years back. The inability of stabilizing the power output from renewable (relatively speaking) resources like solar, wind, tidal is what prevented them from being base load generators. The old idea of energy store was always debated and the consensus was on using hydrogen as energy store and hence the basis for the hydrogen economy. The problem is that hydrogen loves oxygen too much and it takes tremendous amount of energy to separate them. Earlier electrolysis separation used to be successful around 800C (I may be off here). There was some potential with zinc as a catalyst in reducing that to 300C. Now it seems room temp electrolysis is feasible. This is a lab scale success and future looks promising.

Cheap Catalyst Could Turn Sunlight, Water Into Fuel
/.

Rupesh · Post by **Rupesh** » 04 Aug 2008 13:45

Pune spreads power of innovation; ensures 24x7 supply

Gayatri VermaPosted online: Monday, August 04, 2008 at 0210 hrs

As a corporate social responsibility initiative, companies have been asked to use their generators and reduce load on the grid

New Delhi, August 3: The country may be reeling under severe power shortage, especially with deficit monsoon, but Pune, an industrial city in Maharashtra, has quietly and innovatively structured between its stakeholders — consumers, industry and the state — a deal to provide power 24x7.

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As it happens anywhere else in the state, Pune’s 10 lakh consumers used to face load shedding and power cuts when demand peaks. The industry runs large-scale diesel generators during shortage.

A closer analysis of the usage pattern by the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Pune branch showed that if some 30 big companies operate their generators when demand peaks in the day for 2-4 hours, there would be enough power to meet the entire city's needs. “These 30 companies’ generators produced about 80-90 MWs. As a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, we asked the companies to use their generators, thereby reducing the load on the grid during shortage hours,” said Pradeep Bhargava, Chairman, CII-Pune region.

There was a catch here though. While electricity bought from the grid costs Rs 5 per unit, the cost running diesel generators was more than double at Rs 11 per unit. To get the industry on board, it had to be compensated for an increase in operating costs that totalled Rs 12-15 crore a month.

The CII and the Maharashtra State Regulatory Commission (MSRC) decided to address the issue by directly approaching the consumers through three rounds of public hearings attended by NGOs, civic societies, hospitals and other interest groups. For 24-hour power supply, they could hardly refuse paying a slightly higher price.

Pune's demographic profile showed there were 10 lakh consumers with a bulk or 7 lakh of them using only 300 units or less of electricity a month. The remaining 3 lakh consumed nearly 80 per cent of the electricity generated. The CII and the MSRC calculated that if only these 3 lakh shared the increase in cost, they would have to pay only 43 paise per unit more over the excess of 300 units of electricity.

MSRC began to collect this extra amount from the consumers and when there was a shortage, it would note the readings from meters placed across the city. The industry would be compensated for the cost of operating diesel generators from this kitty. While the ball was set rolling in 2004, it took two years till June 2006 for the idea to fructify under MSRC Chairman Pramod Deo. For the next two years, Pune enjoyed uninterrupted power supply.

Over time though, demand increased exponentially. The model couldn't keep pace with it despite the extra money collected from the corpus of Rs 15 crore a month. So, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSED), responsible for distributing power in the city, began to buy expensive power from other states. But, clearly, other cities would cry foul since MSED was not the sole distributor for Pune, but for the entire state.

Deo explains: "We were not told that the expensive power was being bought and supplied only to Pune. Had there been a separate distribution license for Pune alone as is there for Mumbai, it is permissible. But, MSED is the distributor for the entire state. It has to share power equitably and hence cannot be selective."

While the Pune model has been extended to Thane and New Bombay, implementing it across the state will be a challenge since it works only in places where losses are low and recovery is close to 100 per cent. Besides, a sharp increase in the demand-supply gap from the usual 1,000 MWs to nearly 5,500 MWs has brought electricity generation in large parts of Maharashtra to its knees.

But Bhargava is optimistic. "The problem lies not in model, but the country's failure in power generation. Moreover, neighbouring states do not have extra power for sale."

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/344268.html

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 12 Aug 2008 05:15

Failing Chinese power equipment

Indian companies learning a costly lesson from importing cheap Chinese eqpt.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 09 Sep 2008 19:48

Nuclear action to kick off at Jaitapur, Koodankulam.

Post the NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) waiver, action on the Indian nuclear space is likely to kick-off at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, where up to six imported reactors of 1,600 MWe are slated to be set up by State-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) through a collaboration with the French Government, and Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu, where four additional reactors of 1,000 MWe each are likely to come up with Russian assistance.

According to Department of Atomic Energy officials, the Jaitapur coastal site in Ratnagiri district — one of the six locations earlier identified by a Government site-selection panel for housing imported light water reactors — is likely to host European pressurised reactors (EPR) developed by Areva NP, a joint venture between Areva SA of France and Siemens AG of Germany. While the Centre had initially envisaged two units of 1,000 MWe each for the Jaitapur plant, NPCIL is also preparing a techno-economic evaluation report for the deployment of Areva’s latest 1,600 MWe reactors.

Besides Jaitapur, the Koodankulam site — where two 1,000 MW units are already under construction through Russian assistance — could see the construction of four additional units at the same location. The collaborations on the new units are expected under a pact, reached between India and Russia in January last year. Under the pact, both countries agreed to collaborate on building up to 10 nuclear units across various sites in India.

In case of the two Koodankulam units currently under construction, the Russians are slated to shortly ship to India custom-built equipment designed specially for the Koodankulam station — a 300-tonne airlock manufactured by Russian firm OMZ and a reactor refuelling system made by Uralmash OJSC. The delivery is expected to speed up the work in the reactor compartment to enable the project to kickstart operations of its first unit by late this year, and the second one in 2009. With the key shipment coming in, the procedure for the first 1,000 MWe Koodankulam unit’s criticality, including loading the enriched uranium fuel bundles into the reactor, would start over the next couple of months, officials said.

While this news report puts the Jaitapur Power Project at 7,000 MW.

ASPuar · Post by **ASPuar** » 12 Sep 2008 10:17

Seems to me that we're buying a lot from France and Russia, but nothing from the US?

Wouldnt the Americans be a bit cheesed off if they did all this to get the deal through, and then get nothing for it? IMO, they deserve a darned sight more than France and Russia does.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 01 Oct 2008 17:26

Comment: I would strongly suggest Indian government to make it as mandatory for all those who build new house to have solar energy cells at least one or two on their roof (if it flat) and thus the energy demands are met to some extent. For a long term plan this will be an excellent idea. But for now double cheers to the ministry of Railway for the following news...

Solar, wind energy to light up railway premises
Press Trust Of India / New Delhi October 01, 2008, 12:34 IST
http://www.business-standard.com/india/ ... tono=47418
Aiming at reduction of carbon emission by using clean energy, Indian Railways has embarked upon a renewable energy action plan as part of the national policy to address the impact of climate change.

According to the action plan, all zonal railway offices, divisional headquarters and Railways Ministry headquarters will now have solar power systems to light up the premises.

"The lights at the corridors and control rooms of these offices will draw power from solar panel," a senior Railway Ministry official said. Solar panels will be installed at 44 divisional railway manager offices, he said.

While solar geysers will be installed at railway hospitals and running rooms at 115 places, solar street light systems are to be provided at all railway training centres across the country. Railway's Oak Grove School near Nainital will also have solar lights at its campus.

"Solar power is being used at a few level-crossings, but we will now expand the solar network to many more crossings which do not have electricity," the official said.

Railways is also installing a 10-Mw wind-power project near Kanyakumari at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crores.

An average wind speed of 14 miles per hour is required to convert wind energy into electricity. One wind turbine can produce enough electricity to power up to 300 homes.

According to the Kyoto protocol, all governments are required to initiate concrete action to reduce carbon emission to save the climate.

The national action plan on climate change also focuses on renewable energy to mitigate global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emission.

Railways, which consumes about 2,500 Mw electricity per day, spends about Rs 5,500 crores annually for electricity. It has earmarked Rs 28 crores for the solar project, which aims at generating 440 kw per day.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 04 Dec 2008 00:54

Prime Minister approves bulk ordering of super critical technology

Prime Minister approves bulk ordering of super critical technology

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Giving a major thrust to promotion of public sector undertakings (PSUs), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has approved the decision of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Infrastructure for bulk ordering of super critical technology giving preference to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in the procurement of 660 MW and 800 MW units by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and other PSUs.

Highly placed sources said that the Prime Minister had put his stamp of approval on the decision of GoM taken on November 17 in this regard.

It was decided in the GoM that whenever NTPC goes in for bulk procurement of seven units of 660 MW and six units of 800 MW, the lowest bidder (including BHEL) would get orders for four units of 660 MW and four units of 800 MW separately.

Source said that this move would help BHEL fully absorb and indigenise the super critical technology at much faster rate as minimum 8-10 sets were required to absorb and indigenise the technology completely.
New bidding norms

Under the new approved GoM decisions, the bidder must have a valid technology transfer agreement in place for the entire range of super critical equipment with a phased manufacturing programme.

The bidder should not be qualified to participate in the tendering process based on memorandum of understanding with his collaborator or foreign manufacturer.

Union Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh said that the technology transfer agreement for super critical technology up to 1,000 MW was already in place with world leaders like Alstom and Siemens and other leading OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) like TLT, Germany, MHI, Japan, and Max Control, U.S., for auxiliaries.

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 24 Dec 2008 09:34

ASPuar wrote:Seems to me that we're buying a lot from France and Russia, but nothing from the US?

Wouldnt the Americans be a bit cheesed off if they did all this to get the deal through, and then get nothing for it? IMO, they deserve a darned sight more than France and Russia does.

The Amrikhans have not build a nuclear power plant in a long time so for sure we cannot expect the best nuclear tech from them, but the conventinal power tech for boilers/other eqpmt, Solar power and wind, yes, definitely I see them getting a big pie in it in the coming days...

Ashwin B · Post by **Ashwin B** » 24 Dec 2008 10:58

Not sure if this has been posted here before, but I thought was interesting, nevertheless.
Compact, completely encased nuclear power modules, built in 25MWe and 75MWe models.

Hyperion Power Module - http://www.hyperionpowergeneration.com

negi · Post by **negi** » 24 Dec 2008 23:03

While I have been critical of MMS on issues like national security and social jutice, He has done commendable job on the energy sector , The preference for BHEL will be a huge boost for the desi Giant , I hope BHEL capitalises on this and strengthen its Market share.

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 25 Dec 2008 09:48

negi wrote:While I have been critical of MMS on issues like national security and social jutice, He has done commendable job on the energy sector , The preference for BHEL will be a huge boost for the desi Giant , I hope BHEL capitalises on this and strengthen its Market share.

While appreciation is due for the good work I am also furious for the lack of fore-sight on capacity planning for BHEL. 48 month backlogs resulting in imports from China....Now we see BHEL expanding furiously, this should have been done quite a while back, right when the nuclear deal was envisioned. Govt should have aided more private participation and substantial import of technology...

vipu · Post by **vipu** » 03 Jan 2009 15:16

First Post guys
This Link describes the Plan XI initiatives from MoP.
http://www.powermin.gov.in/distribution ... ng.php.htm

TOI - carries a note on the losses in sector to the tune of 2000crore.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Citi ... 928683.cms
2KCr will allow for about 500MW.

Seriously some of the PSU's should look at deploying solutions to curb Theft and Losses.

Rishirishi · Post by **Rishirishi** » 04 Jan 2009 07:39

vipu wrote:First Post guys
This Link describes the Plan XI initiatives from MoP.
http://www.powermin.gov.in/distribution ... ng.php.htm

TOI - carries a note on the losses in sector to the tune of 2000crore.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Citi ... 928683.cms
2KCr will allow for about 500MW.

Seriously some of the PSU's should look at deploying solutions to curb Theft and Losses.

I assume you mean 500MW og new installed capacity each year. Within 15 years that ammounts to 7500MW in UP alone.

vipu · Post by **vipu** » 05 Jan 2009 08:15

Add to that the planned 40,000MW from Nuclear power. Is there a practical way to curb losses?. Penalizing the defaulters/collection drives and prepaid electricity are solutions but the major losses still are 'Political' - sugar, textile and plastics being some of the Social sectors.

Ameet · Post by **Ameet** » 10 Jan 2009 02:38

Info on the Jhajjar plant. Looks like Chinese company (based on HK). Main plant equipment will be chinese.

http://publication.samachar.com/pub_art ... extIndex=0

New Delhi: “Hong Kong-based CLP Group will invest Rs6,000 crore for developing a 2x660 thermal power project at Jhajjar in Haryana,” a top official of the company said.
The company has floated a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Jhajjar Power Ltd, for executing the project, which is likely to be commissioned in May 2012.
“The investment in the 1,320 MW project would be to the tune of Rs6,000 crore and the project would be commissioned in May 2012,” CLP Managing Director (India) Rajiv Mishra said.
Haryana would get 90% of the power generated at the plant and the remaining 10% would be supplied to Delhi. The foundation for the plant would be laid by Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Jhajjar on 10 January.
“The first unit of the plant would be commissioned in December 2011 and the second one in May 2012,” Mishra said.
The main plant equipment (turbines, generators) would be sourced from Chinese companies — DongFang and Harbin.
The project is being funded by a group of banks led by IDBI with the debt equity ratio of 70:30.
The coal for the project would come from the Central Coal Fields.
CLP has invested around $2 billion (Rs10,000 crore) in the power sector in the country.

Suraj · Post by **Suraj** » 21 Jan 2009 04:24

More impetus to power projects:
Power sector ties up Rs 2,24,000 cr ($45 billion)

The power sector has tied up Rs 2,24,000 crore worth of investments to build power plants with 70,000 Mw aggregate capacity in the next three years at a time the global economy is reeling under liquidity crunch, according to Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

Shinde told Business Standard that the country had added 12,000 Mw capacity at an investment of Rs 48,000 crore in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12) so far and tied up funds to complete the projects under execution.

“Theoretically, the impact of the downturn will reflect on all sectors. Since the power generation business is booming in the country, we manage to get funds for fresh projects. About 70,000 Mw is under execution now, which will help us achieve the targetted 90,000 Mw capacity addition under the five-year Plan,” Shinde said.

However, Ernst & Young (E&Y), in its January report, said the investment in the power sector, including generation, transmission and distribution, would be half the earlier estimate of $200 billion (approximately Rs 9,83,026 crore). “The government is expected to curtail its investment in the power sector due to the global financial crisis. The investment during the 11th Plan period is now expected to be $100 billion (about Rs 4,91,304 crore),” the report said.

Power firms' returns set to rise

In a big move to attract investment in power generation and transmission, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has raised the return-on-equity (RoE) allowed from 14 per cent to 15.5 per cent. The change is part of the new tariff policy for 2009-2014.

It has also allowed an additional RoE of 0.5 per cent for projects that are finished within timelines.

“These regulations are a compromise between attracting investment and protecting the interests of consumers,” said CERC Chairman Pramod Deo.

The regulations, which would also serve as guiding principles for state regulators, would enhance returns for power generation and transmission companies. The announcement, effective from April 1, led to a surge in power sector stocks today. On a day when the Sensex was down 2.45 per cent, the sectoral index for power was up 1.44 per cent, with NTPC being the main gainer (it was up 4.27 per cent at Rs 185.70).

The regulations cover all power stations of central public sector generators like NTPC and inter-state projects with “mega” status.

Also, the RoE will now be computed pre-tax and not post-tax, as is being done at present. These two measures will help new generators, which enjoy a tax holiday, increase their returns. However, old power stations will not benefit, say analysts.

ajay_ijn · Post by **ajay_ijn** » 28 Jan 2009 19:09

Reliance Power bags 4000 MW Tilaiya Power Project

NEW DELHI: Anil Ambani Group firm Reliance Power today bagged its third 4,000 MW Ultra Mega Power Project, at Tilaiya, in Jharkhand.

"Reliance Power has bagged the 4,000-MW Ultra Mega Power Project at Tilaiya in Jharkhand," a source said. The Reliance bid for the project was Rs 1.77 per unit.

Five companies including NTPC, Reliance Power, Lanco Infratech, Jindal Power and Sterlite Energy, of the 11 pre-qualified bidders, were in the fray for the project.

The financial bids for the project were opened today. A high-level committee, which includes state representatives from Bihar and Jharkhand, selected the developer.

The financial and technical bids for the coal-based thermal power project were invited on December 29 and the final financial bids were to be opened within 15 days.

The bidding process for the UMPP had been delayed due to various reasons, including the global slowdown.

Apart from the delays in bidding, the Tilaiya project faced loss of time on identifying the site, getting the water source and obtaining other regulatory clearances.

The project entails an investment of Rs 16,000-18,000 crore and will have a debt equity ratio of 70:30.

PFC is the nodal agency for UMPPs and is facilitating the process of selecting the developer of the Tilaiya project.

The financial closure for Tata Power's Mundra project has been completed and the other two are expected to follow suit.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 30 Jan 2009 03:34

India One Grid will become a reality by 2012

India One Grid will become a reality by 2012

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Asserting that intra-regional transmission of power would resolve the power woes of power deficit States, the Central Government on Thursday announced that ‘India One Grid’ will become a reality by 2012 with the completion of the 765 kV Raichur-Sholapur link. The Government also said it would invest Rs. 200 crore for setting up world’s first online high-power equipment testing facility in the Western part of the country.
Rs. 200-cr. investment

“By March 2012, the total inter-regional transfer capacity will go up to 37,000 MW from 18,000 MW more than double the capacity currently the grid has. With the Raichur-Solapur link becoming operational, India will become One National Grid operating on the same frequency making transfer of power from one State to another a viable and smooth process,” Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh told reporters on the sidelines of the GridTech 2009 organised at Pragati Maidan here.

He said, at present, the country was divided into two grids — one is the Southern Grid and the other comprises Eastern, North-Eastern, and North-Western region grid. Mr. Ramesh said India’s first 765 kV transmission line from Sipat to Seoni has been just completed and commissioned and more such projects were being taken up to secure the transmission system. “We have to give a major thrust to the upgradation of the transmission system in addition to the capacity addition,” he added.

At the same time, Mr. Ramesh said it had also been decided to set up on-line high-power facility at an investment of Rs. 200 crore for testing transformers, switchgear and high current equipment. State PSUs — Damodar Valley Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), National Hydro-electric Power Corporation and Power Grid Corporation of India — will form a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for this facility.

Of the total investment of Rs. 200 crore, Rs. 80 crore would be shared by the four State-run companies and Rs. 10 crore as equity would come from the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), which would manage the facility on behalf of the SPV. The balance Rs. 110 crore would come as loan from Power Finance Corporation.

Shivani · Post by **Shivani** » 05 Feb 2009 01:44

The newsreports are not clear.

First:

Areva, NPCIL in $12.3 bn N-deal

Hindustan Times wrote:
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Areva to set up nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtra here on Wednesday.

“The MoU provides for engagement of NPCIL and Areva into the discussion for preparing the contract and related detail of setting up of two to six 1,650 megawatt each European Pressurised Reactors (EPR) including lifetime fuel supply for these reactors,” NPCIL said in a statement.

SK Jain, chairman and managing director, NPCIL and Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of Areva, signed the MoU.

Reuters quoted Jain as saying that the six nuclear reactors would be worth Rs 60,000 crore ($12.3 billion). This is the first commercial agreement for supply of nuclear reactors after India got the waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group to participate in the global nuclear commerce.

NPCIL, which currently operates 17 nuclear power reactors with a 4,120 mw capacity, hopes to step up atomic power generation to 20,000 mw by 2020. Currently, EPR-type of reactors are under construction in Finland, China and France.

“This is just the beginning,” said Anil Kakodkar, chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, who was present at the signing ceremony. Minister of State in the PMO, Prithviraj Chavan and Anne-Marie Idrac, French Minister for Foreign Trade were also present.

“Areva is committed to supply fuel for the lifetime of the reactors,” Lauvergeon said.

In December, India signed a contract with Areva for importing 300 tonnes of uranium. “The government would be soon announcing more nuclear parks in other parts of the country. Some locations have already been identified. The Cabinet is looking into it,” Chavan said. The parks, he said, will also have a capacity of six to eight reactors.

But then,

India Signs First Contract After Lifting of Embargo on Nuclear Trade

Voice of America wrote: By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
04 February 2009

India has signed its first contract to build nuclear power plants after the international community lifted an embargo on civilian nuclear trade with the country. The deal marks the end of India's nuclear isolation.

The state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. signed a preliminary accord with French company Areva in New Delhi, Wednesday, to provide up to six nuclear reactors.

The reactors will be located in Jaitapur, in the western Maharashtra state. The estimated value of the deal has not been disclosed, but the cost of one reactor is expected to be $5 billion to $8 billion.

This is the first agreement to provide nuclear reactors since countries which supply nuclear technology approved a controversial proposal by the United States to drop a 34-year ban on nuclear trade with India.

The ban was imposed because India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

An energy advisor to the Confederation of Indian Industry, V. Raghuraman, says Wednesday's deal with the French company marks a starting point for India to gain access to state-of-the-art civilian nuclear technology.

"Today, since there has been a technology denial and fuel denial for the last more than three decades, India has developed an in-house program and there have been some capabilities, but surely these are not world class or also of the capacities which are required for future development. Which would mean we really need to access technology. We would like to look at accessing technology from all around, because the kind of capacities which we need are phenomenal," said Raghuraman.

India has 17 nuclear reactors, which contribute about 2.5 percent of the country's electricity.

India is desperately short of power, wants to scale up the share of nuclear power, significantly, to meet the needs of its growing economy.

Energy advisor Raghuraman says India wants to add 60,000 megawatts of nuclear energy, in the next 15 years.

"India does not have much of energy option. We are short of hydrocarbons. We are short of coal. We are short of everything. We need an energy mix. We need to make the ground today to prepare for the future," said Raghuraman.

India is expected to spend billions of dollars to build nuclear power plants. In addition to France, India is likely to access the technology from the United States and Russia.

I need some help here. Initially I thought that we'll get 9900 Megawatts for Rs. 60,000 crore (assuming no further expenditure in land acquisition). But according to VoA two reactors or 3300 Megawatts will cost Rs. 60,000 crore.

Either way, how does the megawatt/Rupee equation compare to coal plants of similar capacity?

Nitesh · Post by **Nitesh** » 24 Feb 2009 10:58

BHEL outbids Chinese companies to bag Rs3,150-crore mega project
23 February 2009

State-run power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) once again outbid Chinese companies in an international competitive bidding to secure contracts worth Rs3,150 crore in Madhya Pradesh

BHEL has won an order for the main plant package at the upcoming Malwa Thermal Power Project (TPP) in Madhya Pradesh, involving two new-rating units of 600 MW each.

The order for the greenfield power project has been placed by Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited (MPPGCL).

This is the first order secured by BHEL for the new-rating units of 600 MW in Madhya Pradesh and the project will significantly augment the existing generating capacity in the state.

BHEL's scope of work in the contract includes design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of steam turbines, generators, boilers and associated auxiliaries, including transformers, busducts and state-of-the-art controls and instrumentation, in addition to civil works for the main power block.

While the first set is scheduled to go on stream in a tight schedule of 39 months, the second set will be commissioned in 43 months from the zero date of contract, the company said in a release.

BHEL has the technology for the manufacture of thermal sets up to 1,000 MW rating suited to Indian conditions using Indian as well as imported coal. The company has also introduced new rating thermal sets of 270 MW, 525 MW and 600 MW to meet customer demand.

It has already won orders for 85 units of 500-600 MW rating sets so far.

BHEL has built manufacturing capacity of up to 10,000 MW for meeting the power forecast for the 11th Plan and beyond. The company will enhance capacity further to 15,000 MW per annum by December 2009 and to 20,000 MW by December 2011.

Manpower is also being ramped up. Besides, the company has taken steps like shift in operational focus from product to project and implementation of effective project management systems.

http://www.domainb.com/companies/compan ... anies.html