Study Tour to Germany on "Flexibilisation of Existing Thermal Power Plants" with NTPC and STEAG

A 16-member delegation, consisting of power plant employees from different facilities of NTPC Limited, the largest state-owned power plant operator in India, along with Mr. Rakesh Chopra, Director of the Excellence Enhancement Centre (EEC) for the Indian Power Sector, travelled to Germany from November 20 to 28, 2023. This visit was part of an ongoing collaboration with STEAG India and aimed to contribute to Indian initiatives focused on enhancing the flexibility of existing thermal power plants. A flexible operation of existing thermal power plants is essential for the smooth grid-integration of fluctuating renewable energies given the planned upscale of renewable energies in India.

Dr. Claudia Weise from the German Power Plant Association vgbe along with the representatives from Iqony GmbH, RWE AG, TÜV Rheinland and Uniper SE shared their experience of flexible coal-fired power plant operations extensively with the Indian delegates. During on-site visits, the delegation gained a first-hand insight into the flexible operation of the German lignite-fired power plant Niederaussem and the hard coal-fired power plant Walsum, both located in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

One of the highlights of the trip was a workshop at a power plant simulator from KWS Energy Knowledge eG, where the delegation was able to examine various flexible operating modes and parameters for power plant flexibility.

The group also visited the EUREF-Campus in Berlin and the energy self-sufficient village of Feldheim to learn about innovative concepts for grid flexibility, such as vehicle2grid, and self-sufficient energy supply with renewable energies.