COVID-19 impacts on Indian power system planning and operation

Abstract

Governments around the world are implementing different measures like lockdown and stay-at-home orders to stop the spread of coronavirus amongst the common masses. It has caused electricity consumption to decrease and inverting the gap between demand and generation. Load-generation balance is maintained by shutting down or operating the fossil fuel generations at a low plant load factor due to must-run obligations over renewable generation. During lockdown periods, variable renewables’ proportion in total energy consumption has reached record highs. The power system’s inertia stability has decreased with displacement of conventional resources from generation schedule. It created new challenges for system operators to meet increased variability. New forecasting methodologies are adopted for modified peaks and shapes of the load curves. Power sector utilities are combating the issues of decreasing demand and liquidity caused by revenue shortfall. Cross-border restrictions on fuel imports are also affecting the portfolio of generation resources in long term. The ongoing pandemic is causing a paradigm shift in financial, political and technical aspects of power sector. This requires active engagement from government to help the sector thrive in difficult times and continue to work smoothly. In this context, this paper presents a comprehensive review of pandemic impacts experienced on power sector in the area of planning and operations. Also, inputs are provided from policy and operation perspectives to improve grid reliability and security during and post-event conditions. The fast implementation of demand side management programs is recommended to improve grid stability. Tariff restructuring, enhancing flexibility and incorporating consumer behaviour in load forecasting have been suggested to have a more diversified and resilient power sector in the post-COVID era.