Ratul Puri, Chairman, Hindustan Power
Ratul Puri says that Storage-backed renewable and hybrid projects may carry a higher upfront cost but can reduce pressure on the wider power system, improve the utilisation of renewable energy and strengthen the availability of power when it is needed. Procurement strategies are consequently beginning to place greater value on capacity, operational responsiveness and dependable power delivery alongside competitive pricing. Hybrid projects that combine solar, wind and battery storage are particularly important in this context as they can help meet peak demand while providing reliable and dispatchable clean power. Flexibility services also need greater recognition. These services were traditionally managed through conventional generation and system operations without being explicitly valued. In a power system with increasing renewable penetration, ramping reserves, frequency response and fast response balancing services are becoming essential to manage variability and maintain system performance. Energy storage will be central to this transition. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and pumped hydro storage can provide the capacity needed to integrate more renewable power by reducing variability, minimising curtailment and improving clean energy utilisation. However, expanding storage deployment will require supportive policy frameworks, faster regulatory approvals, streamlined land and water clearances and continued expansion of storage-linked renewable projects.
Grid readiness remains another serious issue. Several Indian states have significant solar and wind potential, but inadequate transmission infrastructure can delay project connectivity and power evacuation. States therefore need to play a more proactive role in planning and commissioning intrastate transmission networks that are aligned with renewable project timelines and national transmission planning.
Transmission upgrades alone will not be enough. Distribution infrastructure will also need to be strengthened through modern transmission lines, substations and transformers. This will improve renewable energy evacuation, reduce congestion and losses and support the integration of distributed solar power.
Ratul Puri added that a more responsive power system will also require stronger ancillary service markets. Expanding mechanisms for ramping reserves, frequency response and fast response balancing services will help manage renewable variability and enable higher levels of renewable energy penetration.
India’s experience is part of a broader global shift. Countries are increasingly recognising that expanding renewable capacity must go hand in hand with investments in storage, balancing markets and demand side flexibility. Experiences from regions such as the European Union show that higher renewable penetration requires these investments to maintain dependable power supply.
