6th Best Practices Study Tour and International Workshop on Agri PV Plants, RE Grid Integration and Green Hydrogen
The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) and the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) jointly organised the 6th Best Practices Study Tour and International Workshop on Agri PV Plants, RE Grid Integration and Green Hydrogen during 15 - 17 March 2023 at Jodhpur. Along with 82 delegates from across the country and various fields participated. As a part of the tour on the 16th, a visit was organised to CAZRI to the 105 KWp Agri PV installation, a one-acre Agri PV system comprising 35 kWp each block of panels plus a rainwater harvesting tank. The principal scientists Dr. Priyabrata Santra, Dr. Dilip Jain, and Dr. S Poonia explained the several subsystems and analyses conducted in the last few years. This was followed by visiting Mehrangarh fort for the rest of the day.
The topics of the 3-days Best Practices Study Tour cum International Workshop included innovations in technology, technical and economic feasibility of Agri-photovoltaics and Green Hydrogen as well as the global best practices and results from pilot plants. Experts came together to discuss the importance of a regulatory framework, risks, and other challenges in engaging with Green Hydrogen and Agri photovoltaics plants. Furthermore, they assessed the role of Agri PV Plants, RE Grid Integration and Green Hydrogen projects in the overall RE growth in the country.
Mr. Anil Kumar Bellary, Co-Director, IGEF-SO, briefed the guests and the delegates regarding the aims and objectives of the Study Tour.
On the 17th the day started with the welcome address by Mr. A.K.Dinkar, Secretary, CBIP; Dr. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sharma, Vice Chancellor, MBM University, Govt. of Rajasthan, Shri Pramod Tak, Managing Director, Jodhpur Vidhyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JDVVNL), Govt. of Rajasthan and Dr. Martin Lux, Head of Energy Team, KFW Delhi office.
"An increased tariff export price to the grid is a key factor for AgriPV development in India. Tracker usage and decreased concrete usage are few other aspects to be noted while AgriPV installation in #India", said Dr. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sharma, Vice-chancellor, MBM University.
Later the first half of the day was dedicated to presentations on AgriPV by speakers from Sunseed APV, CAZRI, IGEF and ERDA. Case studies, legal aspects, and Solar pump systems requirements were a part of these presentations. "Integrating solar generation with protected crop cultivation provides environmental sustainability & climate resilience to agriculture, enabling a win-win partnership between farmers, solar developers and policy makers", said Mr. Vivek Saraf, CEO & Founder, SunSeed APV.
The latter half of the day was dedicated to presentations on Green Hydrogen by speakers from the World Bank, WRI, and TANGENCO, on topics of offshore wind and green hydrogen scenario in Tamil Nadu and the Green Hydrogen strategy in India.
Quoting "Limits to Growth" of the Club of Rome and the Brundtland Commission Report " Our Common Future" Dr. Martin Lux, Head of Energy Team, KFW Delhi office made a clarion call for including sustainability as the primary goal of all projects. Highlighting the importance of the trinity of Sustainability, KFW operational philosophy and RE grid integration, he advocated the prudential promotion of both AgriPV and Green hydrogen.
"Green hydrogen along with initiatives such as solar-wind hybrid, #offshore #wind & repowering policy can provide a much-needed revival to the wind sector", said Ms. Kajol, WRI India.
"The industry is & will remain of the biggest contributors of emissions in India. It’s important to decarbonise our hard-to-abate industries such as steel making, for which green hydrogen can play a big role", said Mr. Vivek Jha, Consultant, World Bank.
NHM has unleased $200B investment opportunity in India's GH2GNH3 sector mainly for RE powered electrolytic GH2", Said Mr. Shardul Kulkarni, MD & CEO, DEESHA Power.
Finally, the event was concluded by QnA, memento distribution and a vote of thanks. Kindly find the presentations below:
Agri PV Plants and RE Grid Integration:
Solar Energy in Agriculture and Food
Dr. Dilip Jain, Principal Scientists, CAZRI
Agrivoltaics Case Study: 1.4 MW in Parbhani
Mr. Vivek Saraf, CEO & Founder, SunSeed APV
CAZRI Agrivoltaic system
Dr. Priyabrata Santra, Principal Scientists, CAZRI
Solar Pumping System under PM KUSUM Yojana Evaluation Requirements and Challenges Case Studies
Mr. R.P.Singh, ERDA
Agrivolatic system and PM KUSUM scheme: Doubling Energy Harvest and Income for Indian Farmers
Dr. S. Poonia, Principal Scientists, CAZRI
Land regulations in 11 states covering most regions of India
Mr. Rahul YVK, Energy Advisor, IGEF-SO
Green Hydrogen:
National Hydrogen Mission: Numerous Opportunities
Mr. Shardul Kulkarni, CEO, Deesha Power Station
Feasibility of Green Hydrogen Production and Storage in the State of Tamil Nadu
Ms. Kajol, WRI
Implementation of AMR for Renewable Generators in TANGEDCO
Er. C. Nallasivan, TANGEDCO