PRESS RELEASE: New study says integrating battery storage systems onto the grid could save up to 1400 crores of system level costs in Rajasthan

State functionaries, stakeholders and experts discussed challenges and opportunities for energy storage coupled with high wind and solar capacities’ integration into the state’s electricity grid.

Jaipur, March 16, 2023: While Rajasthan emerges as India’s leading renewable energy (RE) rich state, with the government attempting ambitious plans to scale grid-connected installed capacities of both solar and wind, a new study by the SET-RJ project initiative by WRI India, Bask Research Foundation and Customised Energy Solutions points out that integrating both Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a solar and wind energy-based power system is a feasible and economic pathway for Rajasthan’s clean energy future.

The study findings were shared and discussed in an Event hosted by WRI India and Bask Research Foundation in Jaipur today. Third in the series of events; Rajasthan Sustainable Energy Transformation Dialogues highlighted the need for deploying energy storage and distributed solar energy in the Rajasthan grid.

Mr AK Gupta, Advisory (Energy), Government of Rajasthan in his inaugural address said, “Solar hybrid solutions with pumped hydro or battery storage is the need of the hour for Rajasthan to harness the huge solar capacity, particularly for usage in peak load hours".

In his keynote address, Mr MM Ranwa, Managing Director, Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. said, “Affordability for the consumer is very essential when we are providing any solutions for Sustainable Energy Transformation.”

The research findings were released by Mr. MM Ranwa, and Mr. AK Gupta, in the presence of Mr. Bharath Jairaj, Executive Director, Energy, WRI India, Ms. Sandhya Sundararagavan, Lead, Energy Transitions, WRI India, and Mr. Simran Grover, CEO, Bask Research. Following this, highlights of the study were presented by Dr. Rahul Walawalkar, President and Managing Director, Customized Energy Solutions.

The event included discussions on distributed solar energy generation systems that bring dual benefits of reduced transmission and distribution losses, and cost savings by avoided additional transmission infrastructure because solar power is generated at the point of consumption. Panellists included Ms. Deepti Mathur, Executive Engineer, Demand Side Management, Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd, Mr. Ajay Yadav, Founder President of REAR Renewable Energy Association, Mr. Muralikrishnan Kannan, Principal Counsellor, CII-GBC, Mr. Aneesh Vijayan, Director, Insight Development Consulting Group (IDCG) and Mr. Tirthankar Mandal, Head, Energy, WRI India. The session was moderated by Mr Simran Grover from Bask Research.

The event concluded with the note that Rajasthan is poised to not just become a leader in renewable energy but will play a pivotal role in helping achieve India’s climate targets.

Media Contacts:

Lavanya Bahuguna | Bask Research Foundation
lavanya@baskfoundation.org
9950048885

Ahona Datta Gupta | WRI India
Ahona.DattaGupta@wri.org
981805544

ABOUT US

Bask Research Foundation is a Jaipur-based human-centric research and policy advocacy initiative driving critical research and fostering democratic coalitions for accelerated low carbon transition and climate justice. We work at the intersection of energy, environment and people to enable institutional response, investments and political shift toward clean energy and sustainable practices. As an institution, we prioritise addressing socio-economic disparities and vulnerabilities faced by disadvantaged individuals and groups through inclusive and representative policy action. Know more: http://baskfoundation.org

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We have an active presence in India and work across programs such as Energy, Climate, Sustainable Cities, Water and Landscape Restoration. Within the energy program we work with different consumer categories to help them in uptake of Renewable Energy (RE) and energy efficiency measures. In addition, we collaborate with energy buyers, entrepreneurs, utilities, policy planners and development-oriented institutions to promote clean technologies. https://www.wri.org/