Grid instability rises with renewable load; Siemens Energy backs tech fix with STATCOMs, SynCons
STATCOMs
to address
grid stability
issues arising from the increasing share of solar and wind power, according National Electricity Plan - NEP.
'Today India has around 1,000 GVAs of transformation and it is going to more than 2,000 GVAs. Most of this growth comes from regions weaker in short-circuit strength, like the northwest, which have wind and solar but not necessarily grid infrastructure or rotating machines,' said Guilherme Mendonca, CEO and MD of
Siemens Energy
India Limited in an exclusive interaction with ET Energyworld.
STATCOMs (Static Synchronous Compensators) and
synchronous condensers
(SynCons) are among the technologies being deployed to stabilise the power grid. 'Only this year, 10 STATCOMs were planned, and we won relevant market share,' Mendonca said.
Siemens Energy said it is also supporting integration of rotating machines for inertia generation and combining SYNCONs and STATCOMs with battery storage to improve frequency and voltage stability.
The issue of grid instabilty has become more pronounced as solar and wind generation increases during the day, followed by sudden demand shifts at night. 'It's not just about growing the grid with more lines and substations. It's critical to modernise the grid,' Mendonca said, adding that several substations continue to operate with aging transformers and breakers over 30 years old.
Siemens Energy said it has started refurbishment work in Talcher transformers under Power Grid Corporation. 'As these assets approach the end of life, we are bringing in digital layers and new components to ensure grid reliability,' Mendonca said.
The company is participating in India's Green Energy Corridor projects through tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) routes. Siemens Energy supplies substation equipment, SynCons and STATCOMs to developers like PGCIL, Adani, Sterlite, Tata and Apraava for renewable evacuation infrastructure.
On HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) corridors, the company said it is focusing on VSC (Voltage Source Converter)-based
HVDC systems
suited for renewable integration. Siemens Energy built India's first VSC-based HVDC link and is currently participating in VSC-based projects globally.
The company has also set up a new test facility in Gurgaon for HVDC, STATCOM, and gas turbine instrumentation and control systems. The first project being tested at this facility is the a HVDC project in the UK.
'India will see more SynCons over time as base-load coal plants retire and renewable share increases. This year alone, globally, we've sold double the amount of SynCons sold two years ago,' said Tim Oliver Holt, Executive Board Member, Siemens Energy AG.
India has raised its
renewable energy
target from 500 GW by 2030 to 600 GW by 2032. Mendonca said grid expansion, stability and modernization investments must keep pace with this growth to avoid widespread outages.
On
green hydrogen
, Siemens Energy India is supporting its customers in developing business cases and strategies to capture this market. India has been very structured and ambitious program supporting the entire Industry, said Mendonca. The recent IOCL project with around 4 USD per kg of green hydrogen showcases the competitiveness India can offer.
Siemens Energy India has invested ₹4.6 billion in its transformer factory in Kalwa doubling its capacity and built a Competency Hub and HVDC/STATCOM test facility in Gurgaon. It said India remains a strong export base for premium markets due to high quality, cost competitiveness and geopolitical factors.
On future demand outlook, Siemens Energy expects 5 per cent-6 per cent annual grid market growth globally till 2030. In India, it projects even higher growth due to rapid GDP expansion and energy demand.
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