AERC Enables 500MWh of BESS in Assam

Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has enabled 500MWh of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Assam to facilitate procurement and grid operations of BESS. It also aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the state power system.

The move is expected to increase competition and enhance the bankability of BESS projects, alongside achieving real time operation of the power system over the planning horizon. The planning horizon for this procurement will be 12 years. The locations and capacities installed will be decided based on competitive bidding through an auction or a controlled tariff mechanism.

The State Load Dispatch Center (SLDC) will be responsible for controlling and operating the battery energy storage systems, alongside being able to use the storage resource for participation as both, a wholesale buyer and a wholesale seller of services (energy and ancillary). SLDC will have access to BESS through telemetry.

For procurement, the official gazette highlights various minimum technological features such as – Minimum BESS life (12 years), Degradation ratio (less than 2.5% of initial capacity on annual basis), Number of cycles (preferably 2 charge and discharge cycles everyday), BESS recovery time (less than 1 hour), BESS response time (less than 1 second), Round trip efficiency (more than 85% up to metering point). These requirements must be met by a potential bidder.

Also read: IndiGrid commissions India’s FIRST Regulated Utility-Scale BESS