Based at the TERI RETREAT in Gual Pahari, Gurgoan, the Smart Mini-Grid system consists of various Distributed Energy Resources such as Solar Photovoltaic System, Wind Electric Generator, Biomass Gasifier system & battery storage system
New Delhi/Gurgaon (Haryana), July 1, 2011:
TERI (The Energy & Resources Institute) with support from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and with its local implementation partners has designed, developed and commissioned India’s first-of its kind Renewable Energy based Smart Mini-Grid (SMG) system by using advanced digital and control techniques. This innovative Smart Mini-Grid was commissioned by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy in presence of Sh. Sushil Kumar Shinde, Hon’ble Union Minister for Power and Dr. R. K. Pachauri, Director General, TERI at the TERI RETREAT, in Gual Pahari Gurgaon, Haryana.
A Smart Mini-Grid is an intelligent electricity distribution network, operating at or below 11KV, to provide electricity to a community. These Smart Mini-Grids use advanced sensing, communication and control technologies to generate, manage, distribute and utilize electricity at the local distribution levels more intelligently and effectively. The electricity is supplied by a diverse range of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and typically include small conventional generators such as diesel gensets, and/or a range of renewable generators such as solar PV, micro-hydro power plants, wind turbines, biomass and so on
The Smart Mini-grid at The RETREAT, TERI, Gual Pahari consists of various Distributed Energy Resources such as solar photovoltaic system, wind electric generator, biomass gasifier system, battery storage system and diesel generator (which is given the lowest priority). The smart mini-grid system at TERI GualPahari intelligently manages and balances multiple loads through inter-connected energy resources, providing rapid responses to network disturbances, minimizing outages, and preventing black-outs.
The installation of Smart Mini-Grid through the application of digital technology at the electricity distribution level is one of the ideal solutions to problems of Energy Security, Sustainability and Ensuring reliable quality power. These Smart Mini-Grids can be wisely used to strengthen the country’s electricity sector and also enhance the performance of rural electricity supply systems. Unlike regular mini-grid system, the smart mini-grid system enhances system energy efficiency and offers maximum reliability flexibility, safety etc in the overall electricity distribution network.
Essential features of Smart Mini-Grid:
- Intelligent load and energy resource management through smart controllers and advanced control techniques
- Accommodation of multiple DERs and energy storage into the common grid
- Self healing (ability of the grid to rapidly detect, analyze, respond, and restore itself in case of any disturbances), self configuring, plug and play
- Centralized control (Smart Hybrid Controller/Intelligent Dispatch Controller) for resource optimization and demand management
- Load prioritization
Benefits of Smart Mini-Grids
- Foster demand side management and demand side response
- Reduce power outages, increasing reliability, efficiency and safety of the grid
- Reduce carbon footprint and minimize fossil fuel consumption
- Provide better autonomy to customers to manage their electricity needs
Application of Smart Mini-Grid
- Industrial complexes, Commercial complexes, shopping malls, hotels, hospitals
- Residential complexes, apartments
- Educational institutions
- Rural and peri-urban locations
- Telecom base stations
About TERI: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) was established in 1974. A dynamic and flexible organization, activities in TERI ranges from microbiology to global climate change, from smoke-filled rural kitchens to plush corporate boardrooms, from schoolchildren to heads of state—no sphere of human endeavour is unfamiliar to TERI. The organization works on formulating local and national level strategies to suggesting global solutions to critical energy and environment-related issues. Headed by world-renowned economist Dr R K Pachauri also the head of the Nobel Prize winning UN Climate panel, TERI is best described as an independent, not-for-profit research institute focused on energy, environment, and sustainable development and devoted to efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. TERI is headquartered in New Delhi; TERI has established regional offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Guwahati and Mukhteshwer in the Himalaya’s and International centers in Japan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Washington DC, and London.