Skip to main content

Simplistic assumption: a global power grid can solve all our energy problems

By Shankar Sharma* 

This has reference to an opinion piece on international power grid to optimise our solar power use, “How an International Power Grid Will Help Optimise Our Solar Power Use" . This article seems to have been based on the simplistic assumption that a global power grid can solve all our problems. It has looked at only the different international time zones as the solution, but has ignored the economics, logistics, environmental costs, credible risk of failure of such long transmission corridors, over-dependence on energy from far off places, the dilution of security/ self reliance etc.
Through the extension of such an assumption, the article seems to advocate for a global power grid, which means connecting nooks and corners of the globe to a common international grid; which basically means an enormously big and hugely complex power grid, which can witness collapse of power supply to many countries at the same time because of power outage in one country or region. There can be many reasons for such a grid collapse: electrical fault in one or more sections of the rid; physical damage to one or more elements of the grid; solar storms; terror attacks or sabotage; war link situation as is being witnessed in the gas pipeline passing through Ukraine to West Europe; sand storms or hurricane winds etc.
A high-level understanding of the modern integrated power grid should indicate that because of the increased complexity and the enormous power capacity being handled in such integrated networks, a fault in one part can spread out to other parts quickly, thereby affecting many parts, and leading to power outages for a number of hours, and even over few days as happened in the case of New Zealand in Feb. 1998 and in the US and Canada in August 2003. Under certain weather conditions such as freezing cold (as in Texas in 2021) and very hot conditions, such prolonged power outages can also mean huge loss of life and property. In the case of nuclear reactors such prolonged outages can also lead to poisoning of reactors and/or catastrophic radiation leakages, as happened in Fukushima (2011).
In recent years even an advanced economy such as the US and Europe have experienced an increasing number of annual outages, despite having a vast interconnected grid. It is reported that whereas between 1965 and 2000 there was on average one major blackout every two years in the US, between 2001 and 2011 this figure was one major blackout every six months. There have been examples of blackouts in other countries also. Chronic deficit and/ or poor management of the power demand/ supply situation in India can only aggravate such problems due to the ever increasing extent and complexity of the grid.
The advocacy on the international grid by the article also seems to have been based on the wrong perception that every load on the grid or every electricity application connected to the grid needs to have power supply 24 hours a day at the same level of reliability. There is no reason why agricultural pump-sets (which constitute about 25% of India's annual electricity consumption) need power supply during nights; or why the street lights and other public lighting need electricity during the day time. There are many such applications which will not need 24 hour supply or a very high level of reliability. One should not ignore the total cost to the society of setting up a robust and reliable international grid.
There is also the wrong perception that our societies can afford to provide for an ever increasing electricity demand on the grid. Nature's limite to cater to our needs cannot be ignored. Ever increasing electricity demand will make even such international connections inadequate/ ineffective.
The advocacy on the international grid also ignores the goal of self -reliance or Atma Nirbharata, with the consequence of reduced energy security. Like the import dependence of petroleum products to the extent of 80-85% it will not be in the interest of our communities to depend on even 20-25 % imports of electrical energy.
This perceived need for an integrated national/ international grid in order to meet even the legitimate demand for electricity has already made it acceptable to build power transmission lines even through dense forests and mountains at enormous ecological costs in our country. The planning to build high voltage lines from Chhattisgarh to Kerala and Goa through the thick forest of Western Ghats, and from Northeastern states to Agra etc. only to transfer mass quantities of power, is premised on such a wrong perception, while ignoring various associated societal costs, especially the ecological costs.
When we objectively consider Indian conditions and the results of multiple simulation studies and practical examples available from across the globe, the larger concept that suitable capacity battery energy storage system can be installed in every sub-station of 11kV and 33 kV voltage rating keeping in view the magnitude of RE capacity connected to such substations, and enabled through suitably designed protection and communication technologies, should be satisfactory for our country. Such a scenario, based on small and medium sized RE sources, such as roo-top solar systems and wind turbines, community based bioenergy systems enabled through micro/smart grids, will help to address various technical and logistical issues in order to minimise the need for large size solar/ wind power parks, and the associated dedicated transmission lines. It is techno-economically feasible that small and medium size RE installations, such as roof top SPVs, small/ medium size land based solar/ wind turbines, community based RE systems, can meet the majority of the national electricity demand, especially the demand of a major percentage of the number of consumers.
When we objectively consider the wide geography of our country, and the fact that on an average the solar insolation in India is quite high as compared to the global average, our needs for electricity can be satisfactorily met without having to add massively to the existing integrated grid because of the humongous potential in RE within the country.
What is critical in this regard is a holistic view of the true welfare of our communities, strengths and constraints of the country, and a set of suitable policy initiatives to enable highest possible efficiencies, suitable demand side management, and honest efforts on energy conservation. A narrow perspective on the basis of technical consideration alone and/or the excitement associated with a grandiose technological scenario cannot result in the optimal benefits for our communities.
---
*Power & Climate Policy Analyst

Comments

TRENDING

Eight years of empowering tribal communities through water initiatives in Chhattisgarh

By Gazala Paul*   In the heart of Chhattisgarh, amidst the echoes of tribal life, a transformative journey has unfolded over the past eight years. The Samerth organization has diligently worked to elevate the lives of indigenous communities in the Kawardha district through the project, "Enabling Baiga Community to access safe drinking water." 

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor  Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

Martin Crowe played instrumental role in making New Zealand a force in world cricket

By Harsh Thakor* Late Martin Crowe was the perfect manifestation of how mere figures could not convey or do justice to the true merit of a batsman. Crowe was arguably the most complete  or majestic batsmen of his era or the ultimate embodiment of batting perfection, or the classical batsmen. He perished 7 years ago, due to a rare and aggressive form of cancer, follicular lymphoma, which originated in 2012. In September, we celebrated his 60th birthday but sadly he left for his heavenly abode.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das*  India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

1982-83 Bombay textile strike played major role in shaping working class movement

By Harsh Thakor  On January 18th, 1982 the working class movement commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Textile Workers Strike that lasted for 18 months, till July 1983. It was landmark event that played a major role in shaping the working class movement. With more than 2.5 lakh workers from 65 textile mills joining in this strike for almost two years, this strike became one of the most significant strikes in terms of scale and duration All democrats should applaud the mill workers’ united battle, and their unflinching resilience an death defying courage continues to serve as a model for contemporary working-class movements. Many middle class persons harboured opinions that the Textile workers were pampered or were a labour aristocracy, ignorant of how they were denied wages to provide for basic necessities. The Great Bombay Textile Strike is notably one of the most defining movements in the working class struggles in Post-independent India. Bombay’s textile industry flourished in

Towards 2024: Time for ‘We the People of India’ to wake up before it is too late

By Fr Cedric Prakash SJ*  It is Constitution Day once again! We, the people of India, gratefully remember 26 November 1949 when the Constitution of India was passed and adopted by the Constituent Assembly. The Constituent Assembly comprised women and men of distinction, who were able to represent the heart and soul of the people of India without fear or favour. They gave of their best, so that we may a visionary Constitution, which would be the mainstay for and of democracy in India!

Ceasefire a tactical victory for Palestinian resistance, protests intensify across globe

By Harsh Thakor*  The Zionist leadership and Netanyahu’s government were compelled to concede the defeat of their first attempt after almost 50 days of daily fighting in the Gaza Strip.  Netanyahu was forced to concede that he was unsuccessful in suppressing the Palestinian Resistance; and that the release of the prisoners was only plausible because they accepted Hamas’ terms.

Odisha leadership crisis deepens: CM engages retired babus to oversee depts' work

By Sudhansu R Das  Over decades, Odisha has lost much of its crop diversity, fertile agriculture land, water bodies, employment potential, handicraft and handloom skills etc. The state has failed to strike a balance between the urban and rural sector growth; this leads to the migration of villagers to the urban areas leading to collapse of the urban infrastructures and an acute labor shortage in rural areas.  A large number of educated, skilled and unskilled Odia people have migrated to other states for higher education, quality jobs and for earning livelihood which plummet the efficiency level of government departments. Utmost transparency in the recruitment and promotion in the state government departments will improve governance mechanisms in the state.  "No near and dear one approach" in governance mechanisms can only achieve inclusive growth for the state on payment basis. This is a moral hazard. When so many educated young people seek employment outside the

Massive tropical deforestation: Big finance's $307 billion go to forest-risk commodities

A note on report by Forests & Finance coalition -- Rainforest Action Network, TuK Indonesia, Profundo, Amazon Watch, Repórter Brasil, BankTrack, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Friends of the Earth US: *** A new report released on ‘Finance Day’ at COP28 by the Forests & Finance Coalition , provides a comprehensive look into the role big finance plays in driving deforestation, biodiversity loss, climate change and human rights abuses in tropical forest regions. The report reveals that since the Paris Agreement, banks have pumped over $307 billion into high risk forestry and agriculture companies linked to tropical deforestation, proving that the policies of major global banks and investors are failing to prevent continued widespread forest and biodiversity loss.

20% of Indian businesses have no emission plan in place despite climate emergency: Report

By Jag Jivan   New research underlines urgent need for strategies and transition plans to combat climate change, remain successful and meet stakeholder expectations.