New Delhi: Emerging technologies such as solar thermal and concentrated solar power (CSP) are essential for India to meet its renewable energy targets, said New & Renewable Energy Secretary Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, at the opening of the International Conference on Solar Thermal Technologies.
The two-day event which was held from February 12-13, is a collaborative effort between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI). It focuses on the integration of solar thermal and CSP storage with renewable technologies, aiming to map out the global landscape of solar thermal technologies, their integration with renewable energy power generation sources, and storage applications, particularly in the Indian context.
The conference, inaugurated by key figures including SECI’s Managing Director R P Gupta, and NSEFI’s Director General Deepak Gupta, has drawn international experts and industry stakeholders to share insights on Solar Thermal technologies’ potential in India. Bhalla‘s inaugural speech emphasized India’s significant progress in solar PV growth and the urgent need to explore new technologies like solar thermal and CSP for reliable and emission-free generation.
SECI CMD R P Gupta highlighted the importance of Solar Thermal Technology and CSP with storage on a global scale, noting their suitability for India’s ambitious energy targets. Director General, NSEFI Deepak Gupta spoke about India’s solar PV revolution and the need to explore CSP technologies to expedite the nation’s energy transition, potentially signaling the start of a Solar Thermal revolution in India.
The first day of the conference saw participation from international experts and industry representatives from Belgium, Israel, Spain, and Germany. They shared their experiences, presented global case studies, and discussed the financial viability of Solar Thermal projects, emphasizing its slow emergence as a promising solution for long-duration energy storage. It was noted that Solar Thermal technology could play a crucial role in supporting India’s Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) requirements, including providing round-the-clock power supply to meet consumer demands.
A special session highlighted the features of the proposed tender for FDRE supply through the blending of CSP with other renewable technologies. The conference’s second day promises discussions from speakers across academia, research institutions, financial institutions, and global industry representatives, further exploring the challenges and potential of integrating solar thermal technologies and CSP into the renewable energy sector.
