Grid integration of renewable energy sources: Challenges, issues and possible solutions

Abstract

India is considering renewable energy resources (RES) like solar and wind as alternative for future energy needs. As on March 31, 2012 the grid interactive power generation from RES is 24914 MW i.e. around 12.1 % of the total installed energy capacity. Further Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India is targeting to achieve 20000 MW grid interactive power through solar and 38500 MW from wind by 2022. However there are various issues related to grid integration of RES keeping in the view of aforesaid trends it becomes necessary to investigate the possible solutions for these issues. Integration of renewable energy sources to utility grid depends on the scale of power generation. Large scale power generations are connected to transmission systems where as small scale distributed power generation is connected to distribution systems. There are certain challenges in the integration of both types of systems directly. This paper presents the some issues and challenges encountered during grid integration of different renewable energy sources with some possible solutions.