Constraints and Challenges in Deployment of Micro- Grids – A Review | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

According to the 2011 census, an estimate of only around 56% of the rural households has excess to electricity [1]. One of India’s major advantages today and going forward is that its RE potential is extensively vast and at the same time it is yet to be tapped. Recent estimates indicate that India’s solar potential is greater than 10,000 GW and its wind potential is higher than 2,000 GW [2]. To fully take advantage of India’s RE potential over the next few years, however, will require new initiatives from central and state governments — beyond policy and programs currently in place — to support the engagement, participation, and new behaviour of power sector stakeholders including RE industry and developers, grid operators, public and private finance, consumers, and others. In the current debate on the reform of electricity markets, in addition to “stand-alone” generators of renewable energy, the evolution of smart grids, with particular focus on micro grids, gains increasing relevancy. Smart grids enable local platforms (micro-grids) integrating locally and real-time based generation and consumption of renewable energy. The roles of consumers and producers of electricity are no longer clearly distinguished, merging into “prosumers [3].”