With an aim to increase the penetration of renewable energy and to help its consumers to reduce their electricity bills, Power discom BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) has commissioned four solar micro grids with Lithium-ion based batteries in east Delhi which will help in reduction of carbon emission and provide backup power in case of outages.

The BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BYPL) will also introduce such solar micro grids in south and west Delhi areas covered by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BYPL), a BSES spokesperson said.

In east Delhi locations, BYPL has installed rooftop solar plants varying between 5 KW and 7 KW and energy battery storage between 7kWhr and 10 kWhr. The micro grids combine these solar plants with storage batteries, he said.

The initial results show that the discom used only 8 per cent of grid power and balance 92 per cent was generated through rooftop solar plants and the micro grid system, including the storage batteries, the official said.

“Around 1,245 litres of diesel and 0.24 million units of electricity amounting to around Rs 20 lakh can be saved on an annual basis by the solar microgrids, besides reducing carbon dioxide emissions of around 205 tonnes,” he said.

Its benefits also include power availability in case of any outages, reduction in carbon footprint and energy bills, he said. The micro grids have been setup at BYPL offices in east Delhi. The energy generated through rooftop solar is being used for catering to the internal power requirements of office loads and to charge the batteries.

At current prices, the cost of setting-up of a rooftop solar system is around Rs 40,000 per KW and around Rs 80,000 per KW for an energy storage system, he added.

Commenting on the development a BSES spokesperson said, “BSES is going-higher in the renewable energy value chain. The installation of micro grid applications as part of its green division initiative would act as a showcase for our customers to adopt and help in preserving environment through a reduction in carbon foot print,”

The official said that the costs for establishing a micro grid are competitive and are likely to further go-down as the market trends suggest. “At present, the cost of setting-up a roof-top solar system is around Rs 40,000 per KW and around Rs 80,000 per KW for an energy storage system. This cost may further go down as the number of consumers increase, he added.