Harnessing Flexibility of Hydro Resources for Grid Balancing- Case studies in India

The flexibility attributes of hydro-electricity viz. peaking service, fast ramping, load following, overload capability, part load operation, dynamic voltage regulation, black start services etc. are well recognized in literature. Considering the ambitious target of renewable capacity addition by the Government of India, an exhaustive analysis of operation of hydro generating stations in India during the nine-year period 2008-2017 was carried out by the Forum of Load Despatchers to identify areas for policy and regulatory interventions to facilitate optimum utilization of existing and new hydro resources. This paper highlights the major inferences drawn from the above collaborative work in which the authors were actively involved. The paper also illustrates the flexibility & reliability services rendered by existing hydro generation fleet in India during two recent grid events viz. the annular solar eclipse of 26.12.2019 and the 9pm9minute lights-off event' of 05.04.2020.