How is a Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Plant Beneficial in India?

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 With the growing global warming and climate change taking the world by storm, cleaner energy sources must become an integral part of how the world functions. It is a known fact that fossil fuels have already been overused and may not be available to the coming generations.  

In such a scenario, the onus lies with the current generation to adapt sustainable power sources that can assist in creating a better environment. Solar energy and wind energy are known to be two of the cleanest sources of energy. Not only are they interdependent, but they also can form to be a great hybrid option.  

Advantages of establishing a wind-solar hybrid power plant 

  • It is a known fact that wind power energy and solar energy are complementary sources of energy. This allows the wind-solar hybrid system to work optimally throughout the 24-hour day cycle.  

  • Both wind farms and solar energy farms need ample landmass to set up. The hybrid model allows for efficient use of land between the wind turbines and solar panels, which are spaced apart to avoid row effects.  

  • Since both the energy sources rely on natural sources, it allows them to be integrated into common AC or DC output that can be fed into the local utility grid.  

  • The hybrid power plant has a lower operational cost since it has a shared infrastructure. Both types of power plants can function using the same service facilities, data collection systems, and asset management.  

Factors that will impact the wind-solar hybrid power plant  

  • A hybrid system would require wind turbine generators and solar PV panels to be set up together for it to function at the same point of grid connections.  

  • As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), if the plant is to be recognized as a wind-solar hybrid power plant, the minimum rated power capacity of the resource needs to be at least 25%.  

  • The concept of displacement height will have to be considered to avoid the ill effects of solar PV arrays that might impact the effective hub height of the wind turbines. 

The Indian government has set ambitious targets of generating 175 GW of energy from renewable energy sources by 2022. Out of the 175 GW, 100 GW is aimed at Solar energy and 60 GW from wind energy. Since solar energy can only be generated during sunlight hours, mainly between 8 am and 5 pm, you cannot count on it generating electricity throughout. Wind energy, on the other hand, is generated at peak during late evening and night. Since the two energy sources complement each other, a wind-solar hybrid plant will help you optimize energy generation.   

Conclusion  

Wind-solar hybrid power plants can be the way forward for India’s growing demand for electricity, especially in a time when it is looking for a way to decarbonize power generation. Not only will the hybrid power plant help lower the cost of power generation, but it will also help eradicate electricity problems in the country.  

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