Potential estimation of concentrating solar power (CSP) in North- Western parts (Gujarat and Rajasthan states) of India
Student name: Mr Shashaank Shekhar
Guide: Prof R L Sawhney
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: Lahmeyer International (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Ishan Purohit
Abstract: Growing energy demand, limited fossil fuel resources and severe environmental problems require
new sustainable electricity generation options. Concentrating solar power, (CSP) generation is a
proven renewable energy technology and has potential to become cost effective in future. India,
which is one of the fasted developing economies of the world, is also promoting solar based power
generation by providing conducive environment in terms of financial, technical and regulatory
support. The solar mission targets 20GW of solar power by 2022, in which CSP share will be 50%
summing to 10GW.The ability of CSP to store power using Thermal energy storage (TES) makes it
unique among other sources of renewable energy.
The present study is an attempt towards potential estimation along with technical and economic
assessment of concentrating solar power technology in north-western parts (i.e. Rajasthan and
Gujarat states) of India. The approach involved identifying and optimizing the land suitable for CSP
projects, detailed DNI assessment by optimizing the database from multiple sources comprising
satellite and interpolated/derived databases, CSP technology evaluation and Energy Yield
Assessment followed by the techno-economic analysis. The North-West part of India receives the best
radiation in the country, moreover availability of wastelands and conducive environment being
developed through regulatory and technical support by the Governments is accelerating the growth.
Detail estimates of suitable land for CSP, estimation of DNI across the selected locations for the N-W
parts of India (i.e. all districts of the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat) and the energy yield estimate of
all the four different CSP technology, using computer simulation software System Advisor Model
(SAM) developed by national Renewable Energy laboratory (NREL), USA, has been done. The detail
economic analysis has been done in line with the cost benchmarking for CSP carried out by Central
Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), Government of India for current financial year.
Assuming the installation of parabolic trough plants, it is found that identified suitable area could
accommodate plants with nominal capacity of 1714GW in Rajasthan and 544 GW in Gujarat.
Considering annual DNI greater than 1800kWh/m2 the total potential was found to be 1411 GW in
North-West parts (Rajasthan and Gujarat states) of India. The financial results support the CSP
implementation in north-west parts of country. The results obtained can be used as preliminary
indicator for identifying niche areas for utilization of solar energy for concentrating solar power
generation in India.
