• Delhi’s overall winter peak electricity demand is expected to touch a record high of 5400 MW
• On January 1, 2020 (last winter season), Delhi touched the record winter peak demand of 5343 MW ; Tata Power-DDL recorded an all-time high of 1588 MW
With the capital city experiencing winters ahead of the schedule, and the minimum temperature equivalent to several hill stations, Tata Power Delhi Distribution (Tata Power-DDL) is fully prepared to ensure adequate power availability during this winter season to a populace of 7 million in its area of operations in North Delhi.
According to the officials of the India Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature will be comparatively lower this season vis-a-vis previous years. Tata Power-DDL is prepared with its action plan to provide relief, assuring 24X7 power supply to all the essential services and its consumers.
It has also been noted that 40% of Delhi Winter Demand is because of the heating loads of geysers and heaters, and the company is geared up to manage the peak power demand in case of severe winters.
The company is expecting the peak demand to touch 1700 MW this season and has made long-term power tie-ups for meeting the same effectively. A total of 2000 MW of power is available from long-term sources with the company which would help the anticipated demand.
The overall winter peak demand for Delhi is expected to touch a record high of 5400 MW. On January 1, 2020 (last winter season), Delhi touched the record peak demand of 5343 MW as Tata Power-DDL’s recorded its all-time high of 1588 MW.
“We are fully prepared to ensure warm and safe winters to our consumers and this is only possible through an uninterrupted power supply. We have made surplus arrangement of up to 300 MW over and above the expected peak demand, which will also cater to the contingencies. Besides this, we are using a mix of smart technologies like AI & Machine Learning for better load forecasting to provide reliable power supply to all our consumers,” said Mr. Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO, Tata Power-DDL.
Tata Power-DDL’s power-supply arrangements during the winter-months include long-term agreements from power-plants like Maithon Power, NTPC Stations, and Delhi based gas fuelled generating stations. Additionally, the company will also be receiving around 20 MW from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) ,180 MW from Sunedison GreenKo and around 30 MW from Wind Energy.
Apart from these, Tata Power-DDL is also using advanced techniques and avenues like ‘Banking’, ‘Reserve Shutdown’, ‘Power Exchange’ and ensuring sufficient ‘Spinning Reserves’ to dispose of surplus power. In case of any unforeseeable contingency, the company will buy short-term power from the exchange which is available at economical rates during winter months. Adding to these efforts are the advanced load-forecasting statistical and modelling techniques which are helping the company forecast the power demand.
Use of Technology:
Tata Power-DDL is extensively using technology in ensuring reliable power supply, like advanced statistical forecasting models, combined with state-of-the-art weather forecasting solutions, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Domain expertise provided by Power System Operation Corporation Limited India Meteorological Department (POSCO IMD) also helps.
Surplus Power:
Tata Power-DDL is also exploring banking of surplus power with other states, which need additional power during the winter months. This banked power will be available during the summer months of 2020.
Load Forecasting:
Demand (load) Forecasting is critical for reliable power supply. It is done on various parameters like (i) Day-ahead in 96 time-slots, (ii) Intra-day basis and (iii) Medium-term (from a fortnight to one year). Among other aspects, weather parameters like Temperature, Rainfall, Cloud Coverage, Wind Speed, Wind Direction and Humidity play an important role in accurate demand forecast. This accurate day ahead, intra-day and medium-term demand forecasting is vital for optimal and cost-effective planning in ensuring reliable power supply to consumers at an optimal cost.
Winter Peak Demand Trends in Tata Power-DDL’s Area:
• 2020-21 (Expected) : 1700 MW
• 2019-20 : 1588 MW
• 2018-19 : 1422 MW