The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) jointly organized a two-day International Conference on Solar Thermal Technologies in New Delhi. Held from February 12 to 13, 2024, the conference focused on the integration of Solar Thermal and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) storage with renewable technologies. The aim was to explore the global advancements in solar thermal technologies and their potential applications within the Indian renewable energy ecosystem.
Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a technology that generates electricity by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a smaller area. The concentrated light is then used as a heat source for a conventional power plant, often generating steam for electricity production.
The conference was inaugurated by Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of New & Renewable Energy; Shri R P Gupta, MD of SECI; and Shri Deepak Gupta, Director General of NSEFI. During the inauguration, the Secretary highlighted India’s progress in solar photovoltaic (PV) growth and the importance of new technologies like Solar Thermal and CSP for achieving reliable and emission-free energy generation.
Shri R P Gupta emphasized the emergence of Solar Thermal Technology and CSP with storage as promising solutions, particularly relevant to India’s ambitious energy goals. Shri Deepak Gupta discussed the potential of CSP to accelerate India’s energy transition, possibly signaling the start of a Solar Thermal revolution in the country.
The first day of the conference saw international experts and industry representatives sharing their experiences and discussing India’s potential in these areas. Speakers from Belgium, Israel, Spain, and Germany presented case studies and financial viability insights for such projects in their respective countries.
The discussions revealed that solar thermal technology is emerging as a viable solution, offering significant advantages for long-duration energy storage. It was noted that solar thermal has the capability to support India’s Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) requirements, including providing round-the-clock power supply and meeting diverse consumer demands.
A special session by SECI outlined the broad features of the proposed tender for supplying FDRE through the blending of CSP with other renewable energy technologies.
The conference’s second day featured speakers from academia, research institutions, financial institutions, and global industry representatives, further delving into the integration and application of solar thermal technologies in India’s renewable energy sector.
This conference represents a significant step in India’s journey towards adopting advanced renewable energy technologies, with a focus on harnessing solar thermal and CSP to meet its ambitious energy targets and contribute to a sustainable and cleaner energy future.
