Wind-solar hybrid is fast emerging as a viable new renewable energy system in India

Sreekumar Balasubramanyam

MD & CEO, Freyssinet Menard India Pvt Ltd

Renewable energy has seen a sharp growth in the recent past in the country. How do you assess the RE adoption trend in various segments?

Despite the economic and political turbulence of the past decade, renewable energies have continued to gain importance in the energy mix. Increasing aid from governmental institutions and growing awareness amongst corporates have played a pivotal role in its massive adoption globally.

At Freyssinet, majority of our units globally have started installing solar panels at job sites to harness the energy, usage of chargeable electric tools for site level operations etc. and the same are starting to be followed for operations in India.

EOLIFT is another technology which helps using the PreCast and Post tensioning technology to create and lift tall structures like wind poles.

Some of our projects in Bhutan (soil and cable anchors); Sikkim (radial gate pre-stressing for testa); Africa (dam repairs) are excellent examples for Hydroelectric energy.

We understand that Nuclear Power is not technically renewable but comes under green power due to zero emissions. So it makes it worthy to mention that Freyssinet is setting up trends in this segment as well. We do Circular Post Tensioning of Containment Walls and domes of the nuclear reactor and currently executing projects like Rooppur nuclear plant in Bangladesh and Kudankulam nuclear plant in India.

How do you look at the emerging trends in solar and wind power projects in India?

Major factors driving the Indian solar energy market are abundance of solar radiance clubbed with foreign investments and improved technology.

One of our sister companies under Vinci Group, ActiveSkeen has adopted solar panels as building façade to generate solar energy in urban areas with an optimistic objective of improving the future scenario.

While India is expected to gain the title of being the hub of wind export, Freyssinet is proactively focusing on technologies to optimise the wind energy generations via sustainable technologies such as EOLIFT.

Freyssinet's technologies have also been used in the construction of the first fixed-bottom offshore wind farm in France, the Saint Nazaire offshore wind farm.

Freyssinet is also involved in the development of industrialization schemes for the fast-track production of concrete floaters for the floating offshore wind market. The industrialization schemes are very much dependent upon the floater technology, which can also benefit from the damping techniques that can be used to reduce the size of the floater in order to cope with the rapid turbine rated capacity increase that the industry is witnessing to reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy.

How is the concept of hybrid power systems gaining traction?

We believe that renewable hybrids can play a key role in helping India accelerate the decarbonization of power generation and lowering the cost of electricity in the medium term. Wind-solar hybrid is fast emerging as a viable new renewable energy system in India.

First, it relies on intermittent sources, producing energy only when the sun is shining, or wind is blowing; second, its output is constrained to specific hours of the day; third, its use leads to lower utilization of transmission lines.

One of the most talked about projects of Freyssinet Menard Pvt Ltd is in Andhra, Pinnapuram Integrated Renewable Energy plant. It is a remarkable solution to these concerns which acts as pumped storage hydropower (storing hydroelectric energy) where water is pumped into the reservoir using wind and solar energy making this energy negative process to be an alternative to battery storage solutions.

What kind of services and solutions do you offer in the renewable energy sector?

Technologies like EOLIFT (used to lift tall structures of wind poles) and ActiveSkinn (solar panels as building façade in urban areas) are futuristic services that we offer globally.

Our goal is to be as responsible as possible on our worksites, in our workshops and offices, and also to help our customers improve the environmental footprint of their infrastructure projects, through our sustainable technologies. Freyssinet has designed solutions towards Climate, Circular Economy and our Ecosystem. Some of our long-term solutions are to reduce our fuel and electricity consumption by 40% between 2018 and 2030; increase the recycle share; recover 100% of inert and non-hazardous waste by sourcing local waste treatment channels; rainwater harvesting for utilities and safeguarding our biodiversity.

Freyssinet (Hong Kong) uses battery backed up tools at operations level which are further charged by solar panels to avoid diesel usage.

As a European leader and global player in this sector, VINCI Construction's aim is to leverage the power of Exegy in order to significantly develop the use of low-carbon concrete in all types of structures.

In keeping with its pledge to curb its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, VINCI Construction is committed to using 90% low-carbon concrete in its projects by 2030.

What is the future of energy storage in India?

Most forms of renewable generation (particularly wind and solar) are reliant on intermittent natural energy sources, leading to inconsistent output, risks of system disruption and needs for redundancy. Energy storage is expected to play a vital role in transitioning towards a renewables-rich future.

Pumped hydro is the primary form of energy storage around the world. One such project executed by Freyssinet is in Andhra, Pinnapuram Integrated Renewable Energy plant which is an excellent example of Hydro power storage in the most cost-effective manner. Pumped water is stored back in reservoir during peak time for recycling when there is no supply. Batteries are the next most-preferred technology. In India, round-the-clock electricity is still out of reach for a considerable population and hence, battery systems increase reliability in such cases by storing excess generated energy and supplying it when needed.

What is your outlook on India's renewable energy sector?

India's ambitious renewables energy goals are transforming its power sector. Rising population and widespread electrification in rural homes is fuelling the demand for energy to power homes, businesses and communities.

Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) is the new buzz word - at Freyssinet Menard India Pvt. Ltd. we believe in ensuring the environmental responsibility of your business. We are setting examples for future generations that successful businesses can be built without causing environmental damage rather creating a more livable ecosystem.

At ActiveSkinn, with the solar panel building façade solutions, we combine photovoltaics and aesthetics, to make these active solutions new opportunities for architectural design.

Leveraging the power of Exegy technology in order to significantly develop the use of low-carbon concrete in all types of structures by VINCI Construction is a futuristic way of tapping the opportunity.

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