Hypothetically Meeting UP’s Demand on Peak day (13th June 2024) with Solar and Battery Storage only

On 13 June 2024, Uttar Pradesh (UP) recorded its peak power demand of 30,032 MW at around 22:00 hours. The energy needs of the state, especially during peak hours, often raise questions about the feasibility of meeting this demand with renewable sources like solar power, supported by Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). What if UP could rely solely on solar energy and BESS to meet its power requirements on a day like this? In a hypothetical scenario where UP's demand on 13 June 2024 is entirely powered by solar and BESS, the basic and simple calculations to see what it would take to make this vision a reality is attempted.

Understanding the Demand and Energy Requirements from the load curve of 13th June 2024

- Total Energy Required during the day: 654,488 MWh

- Peak Demand: 30,032 MW at around 22:00 hrs.

- Average Demand: 27,270 MW

?This data gives us an idea of the magnitude of energy required. Now, let’s break it down to see how solar energy could theoretically meet these requirements.

Solar Generation will be required for the followings:

(i) Direct Supply to meet the day time demand &

(ii) Charging the BESS for the non-solar period demand

For this analysis, let us assume solar generation with Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 20%, generating power approximately 9 hours from 8 am to 5 pm. With this CUF and the specific timeframe, we can calculate the amount of energy that would be directly generated and supplied during sunlight hours.

- Solar Energy required to Meet Demand during solar hours (from 8 am to 5 pm) from Solar Generation (Area under the curve from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.): 266,323 MWh

Once the sun sets, battery storage systems would need to step in. For meeting the non-solar demand (5 p.m. to 8 a.m.) with battery storage charged from Solar during the day, the numbers work out as 387165 MWh.

This is the amount of energy needed outside of solar hours to meet the demand. With a Round-Trip Efficiency (RTE) of 90%, 430,183 MWh (input to BESS) would be needed to charge batteries during the day to provide 387,165 MWh (output) required during non-solar hours.

Total Energy Requirement for 24-Hour Coverage To meet the full demand over both day and night, including direct solar supply and battery charging needs, a total solar generation of 696,506 MWh would be required.

Capacity Requirements for Solar and BESS To achieve this level of energy supply, the necessary capacities for solar power and battery storage must be carefully calculated. A solar capacity of 145,105 MW, operating at a 20% Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF), would be required to generate the 696,506 MWh needed. This capacity would ensure sufficient solar generation to meet both the daytime demand directly and provide the additional energy required for battery charging. The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) would require an output capacity of 387,165 MWh, sufficient to meet the state’s demand during non-solar hours by soring the energy generated during the day.

A Closer Look at Solar Utilization In this scenario, effective utilization of solar energy is essential. During solar hours, approximately 40% of the energy generated would be used directly between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., while the remaining 60% would be stored in batteries to supply power after sunset. This means that solar energy would not only fulfil daytime demand but also serve as a backup for night-time use, allowing a continuous and reliable power supply around the clock.

Land requirement:

Installing 145,105 MW of solar capacity demands substantial land resources. With an average requirement of 4 acres per MW, this setup would necessitate approximately 600,000 acres, or 242,800 hectares equivalent to around 1.52% of state’s total agricultural area. This scale of land use makes careful planning (distributed generation over the state near the load centres to minimize transmission cost) and land availability critical considerations for the project's viability.

Challenges and Considerations While these calculations offer a theoretical approach to meeting Uttar Pradesh’s energy demand through solar power and BESS, the practical implications are considerable. The project would require about 600,000 acres (242,800 hectares) of land along with extensive transmission infrastructure, which are major logistical and planning challenges. Additionally, the efficiency and longevity of battery technology are crucial to ensure sustainable operations over time. Shifting entirely to renewable sources like solar also introduces grid stability challenges, particularly in response to changing weather conditions. Reliable backup systems would be essential to maintain power supply during periods of low sunlight or adverse weather.

In summary, powering Uttar Pradesh’s peak demand exclusively through solar power and battery storage presents an ambitious yet insightful scenario. The state would need approximately 145,105 MW of solar capacity, operating at a 20% Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF), requiring about 242,000 hectares of land, alongside 387,165 MWh of battery storage to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Financially, establishing 145 GW of solar capacity would involve an investment of ?580,000 crore (around $70 billion), while the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), at an average cost of $150 per kWh, would require an additional $105 billion. Together, these represent a capital investment of $175 billion, equivalent to 56% of the state’s GSDP of $310 billion in 2023-24. Although hypothetical, this model highlights the significant potential of solar energy and BESS in supporting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape.

Realizing this vision would demand substantial investments, advanced technological solutions, and careful planning. However, as solar and battery technologies continue to evolve, a future where such scenarios become feasible may not be far off, paving the way for a carbon-free energy landscape in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.