The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has given Tata Power permission to install a 100-MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project, the company announced on April 7. Tata Power stated in an exchange filing that the project will be implemented over the course of the next two years at ten carefully chosen locations in Mumbai. In the event of grid disruptions, the BESS's sophisticated black start capabilities will allow for a quick restoration of power to vital facilities, such as the metro, hospitals, airport, and data centres. The system will also reinforce the city's power infrastructure and optimise reactive power management, increasing peak demand efficiency.
The complete 100 MW system, which will be centrally monitored and controlled from Tata Power's Power System Control Centre (PSCC), will be placed across ten carefully chosen locations, particularly close to load hubs throughout the Mumbai distribution.
In its official statement, Tata Power said, “Future plans include the integration of BESS into the Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) to enhance operational efficiency.”
The initiative is being implemented at a time when Indian towns are juggling the demands of decarbonisation and growing energy consumption. According to the firm, by storing power during periods of low cost and releasing it during costly peak hours, the BESS will also contribute to future reductions in customer tariffs. Additionally, by lowering the requirement for grid upgrades, the system is anticipated to postpone capital expenditure.
Also Read: Mumbai: Concrete Slab Fall on a Moving Car From Flyover (Watch Video)
Through its Power System Control Centre, Tata Power intends to centrally control and monitor the whole network. To increase operational efficiency, the storage infrastructure will be integrated with a Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS). Additionally, the system will improve the use of solar energy by storing excess daytime electricity and provide auxiliary services like frequency and voltage management.
Currently operating 6.7 GW of renewable energy capacity, or 43% of its overall portfolio of 15.6 GW, the utility, which serves 8 lakh people in Mumbai, is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2045, according to the statement.