"Commissioning of 11 'REMCs' Set to Take Place"

Union Power Minister RK Singh is set to inaugurate a significant development in the renewable energy sector, with the unveiling of eleven 'Renewable Energy Management Centres' (REMC) on Friday. Representing a milestone event for the industry, these REMCs, constructed at a cost of ₹409 crore, will play a crucial role in facilitating increased renewable energy, particularly from wind sources. The absence of these centers would impede the efficient absorption of substantial amounts of intermittent electricity generated by wind and solar plants.

The Power Grid Corporation of India, a prominent public sector entity, is overseeing the establishment of these REMCs on behalf of the Ministry of Power. Among the eleven centers, one REMC will be situated in the National Load Dispatch Centre, three in Regional Load Dispatch Centres, and seven in State Load Dispatch Centres located in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

Load dispatch centers function as control rooms, managing the flow and distribution of electricity. REMCs, as a unit within these centers, will specifically monitor renewable energy plants. Their primary functions encompass forecasting renewable energy output from each plant, scheduling the distribution of renewable energy to customers, and tracking the generation from renewable energy plants.

The challenge associated with wind and solar energy lies in their intermittent nature—electricity production fluctuates with changes in wind speed or cloud cover. Managing this variability is crucial for grid managers to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of electricity to consumers.

Described as a "hub for all information regarding renewable energy power generation," REMCs will house dedicated teams responsible for managing forecasted renewable energy generation, dispatching energy to consumers, and conducting real-time monitoring to ensure the safe, secure, and optimal operation of the grid. This information is outlined in a document from the German government's international cooperation arm, GIZ.

The concept of REMCs dates back to 2014 when India's renewable energy capacity was around 30 GW. Today, with the country boasting 71,643 MW of wind and solar capacity, the inauguration of REMCs becomes increasingly critical for effectively managing the growing contribution of renewable energy to the grid.

HBL