Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The Indian government has approved viability gap funding (VGF) to cover up to 40% of the total capital cost for the establishment of a 4,000 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in the country.
- This initiative is aligned with India’s renewable energy goals, as the country has seen significant growth in solar and wind energy capacity, meeting 25% of its energy demand from renewables, including large hydro plants.
- The BESS aims to enable the use of stored renewable energy during peak hours, promoting round-the-clock renewable energy supply.
- The scheme supports India’s ambition to achieve 50% of its energy requirements through renewable and non-fossil energy sources by 2030, while also contributing to carbon emissions reduction.
About Battery Energy Storage Systems:
| Term | Definition |
| Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) | A system that stores electrical energy in batteries for later use. |
| Purpose | To store surplus electricity when available and discharge it when demand is high or during power outages. |
| Components | · Batteries (lithium-ion, lead-acid, etc.).
· Inverters for converting DC to AC power. · BMS (Battery Management System) for monitoring and managing battery health and performance. |
| Applications | · Grid stabilization and frequency regulation.
· Energy shifting to optimize energy consumption. · Backup power during outages. · Integration of renewable energy sources. |
| Benefits | · Smoothing out intermittent renewable energy generation
· Reducing peak demand and associated costs · Enhancing grid reliability · Supporting renewable energy adoption. |
| Types | · Residential BESS for homes
· Commercial BESS for businesses · Utility-scale BESS for large-scale energy storage. |
| Environmental Impact | BESS can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy efficiency and integrating renewable energy sources. |
| Challenges | · High initial costs
· Battery degradation over time · Recycling and disposal of batteries · Regulatory and grid integration issues. |
