6th EU-India workshop on energy regulation
As part of the annual EU-India policy dialogues, the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (EU-India CECP) in collaboration with the Florence School of Regulation (FSR) hosts a series of online webinars to discuss topics pertinent to the Indian power sector. To facilitate these discussions EU-India CECP has been conducting the ‘EU-India Regulatory Workshop Series’ for the last 6 years. In its 6th edition, a series of online events are being conducted on concurrent topics for the year 2023-24.
To enable clean energy transition in the Indian power sector the country has been taking many key measures right from setting ambitious targets in terms of renewable energy generation capacity, new market design regulations, and network planning both for national and trade beyond borders.
The following events are planned under the ‘EU-India Regulatory Workshop Series’:
- Interoperability – 30th January 2024
- Resource Adequacy – 19th February 2024
- Offshore Wind Energy – 10th April 2024
First webinar on interoperability – Conducted on 30th January 2024
The first webinar on Interoperability was conducted on January 30, 2024, aiming to discuss the integration of distributed resources in the market and the necessity of standards for smart appliances to ensure interoperability. Despite the rise of smart devices, the absence of common standards on internet protocol platforms hinders seamless communication between them. While the National Smart Grid Mission has been announced to promote energy management, the lack of standardized automation for appliances remains noticeable. Policymakers and business strategists emphasize the need for effective energy data management, including data protection and standardization, to unlock new energy services. Interoperability is crucial for integrating smart appliances, promoting electricity market participation, and ensuring effective planning, requiring coordinated efforts to implement standards for seamless integration and operation within the energy ecosystem.
The session also featured presentations by esteemed speakers, Ms. Swetha Ravi Kumar, Executive Director at FSR Global; Ms. Laura Sandys CBE, Former Chair of the UK Government’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce; and Mr. Vimal Mahendru, Vice President, and Chair of the Standardization Board at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Presentation by FSR
Presentation by Ms. Laura Sandys
Presentation by Mr. Vimal Mahendru
The agenda of the session on Interoperability was:
14:00-14:05 (IST) / 09:30-09:35 (CET): Welcome Address by Swetha Ravi Kumar | Executive Director, FSR Global
14:05-14:15 (IST) / 09:35-09:45 (CET): Opening Remarks by Bartosz Przywara | Counsellor, European Union Delegation to India
14:15-15:05 (IST) / 09:45-10:35 (CET): Panel Discussion Moderated by Dr. Parul Bakshi | Research Fellow, FSR Global
- Andrei Covatariu | Co-Chair, Digitalization in Energy Task Force, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
- Laura Sandys CBE | Former Chair, UK Government’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce
- Swetha Ravi Kumar | Executive Director, FSR Global
- Vimal Mahendru | Vice President and Chair of the Standardization Board, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
- Sridhar Ponugupati | CEO and Foundation, Blaze Automation
15:05-15:25 (IST)/ 10:35-10:55 (CET): Q&A with the audience
15:25-15:30 (IST)/ 10:55-11:00 (CET): Closing Remarks by Dr. Parul Bakshi | Research Fellow, FSR Global
Second webinar on Resource Adequacy – Conducted on 19th February 2024
The second webinar on Resource Adequacy was conducted on February 19, 2024, from 14:00 to 15:30 IST on the Zoom platform(virtual). This debate aimed to facilitate discussions on the importance of Resource Adequacy. Resource adequacy is a crucial concept in the energy sector, ensuring that the power system can reliably and efficiently meet electricity demand, especially amidst transitions towards renewable energy-oriented grids. Recently, the Central Electricity Authority of India (CEA) introduced draft guidelines to address the integration of renewables into the grid while maintaining reliability. On the other hand, the European Union (EU) has faced similar challenges for years, aiming to integrate renewables and unify diverse national electricity systems. EU has developed the sophisticated European Resource Adequacy Assessment (ERAA), which forecasts power system adequacy for up to a decade ahead. This system covers all EU member states, as well as other European countries like Switzerland and Norway. Utilizing advanced methodologies and probabilistic assessments, ERAA models potential events impacting future supply-demand balance, assisting policymakers in strategic decision-making. Drawing from the experience of EU could help enhance the stability and equilibrium of Indian power systems given their complexity and challenges.
The session also featured presentations by esteemed speakers, Mr. Yaser Tohidi, System Development, ENTSO, and Ms. Christine Brandstatt, Assistant Professor at the Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI)
Presentation by Mr. Yaser Tohidi
Presentation by Ms. Christine Brandstatt
The agenda of the session on Resource Adequacy was:
14:00-14:05 (IST) / 10:30-10:35 (CET): Welcome Address by Swetha Ravi Kumar | Executive Director, FSR Global
14:05-14:15 (IST) / 10:35-10:45 (CET): Opening Remarks by Bartosz Przywara | Counsellor, European Union Delegation to India
14:15-15:05 (IST) / 10:45-11:35 (CET): Panel Discussion Moderated by Dr. Parul Bakshi | Research Fellow, FSR Global
- Ghanshyam Prasad | Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority
- Soonee Sushil Kumar | Former CEO & Founder, POSOCO/Grid India
- Yaser Tohidi | System Development, ENTSO
- Christine Brandstatt | Assistant Professor, Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI)
- Swetha Ravi Kumar | Executive Director, FSR Global
15:05-15:25 (IST)/ 11:35-11:55 (CET): Q&A with the audience
15:25-15:30 (IST)/ 11:55-12:00 (CET): Closing Remarks by Dr. Parul Bakshi | Research Fellow, FSR Global
Third webinar on Offshore Wind Energy – Conducted on 10th April 2024
The third webinar on Offshore Wind Energy was conducted on April 10, 2024, from 14:00 to 15:30 IST via the Zoom platform. This virtual event aimed to foster discussions on the significance of offshore wind energy, particularly in the contexts of the European Union (EU) and India. Both regions are committed to meeting renewable energy targets and transitioning to cleaner energy sources. EU and India are currently at a pivotal moment in their collaboration, with the EU-India Strategic Roadmap 2030 paving the way for strategic cooperation over the next five years. EU has been at the forefront of offshore wind energy initiatives, notably with countries like Germany and Denmark leading the way with large-scale projects contributing significantly to their renewable energy portfolios. The EU's goal is to achieve 300 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2050, a crucial aspect of its European Green Deal strategy. Meanwhile, India has also set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation capacity and has implemented various market designs, regulations, and network planning strategies. The country's National Offshore Energy Policy represents a significant milestone in tapping into its offshore wind potential, with designated sites along the coastlines of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu being developed through collaboration with Denmark. Moreover, the recently established Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will further explore synergies within Indian supply chains for offshore wind, thereby enhancing the resilience of these supply chains.
The session also featured presentations by esteemed speakers, Mr. Alp Gunsever, Head of Secretariat, Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy; Mr. Lalit Bohra, Joint Secretary, MNRE; Mr. Rajendra Kharul, Managing Partner and CEO, ClimateHub India and Ms. Swetha Ravi Kumar, Executive Director at FSR Global
Presentation by Mr. Alp Gunsever
Presentation by Mr. Lalit Bohra
Presentation by Mr. Rajendra Kharul
The agenda of the session on Offshore wind was:
14:00-14:05 (IST) / 10:30-10:35 (CEST): Welcome Address by Swetha Ravi Kumar | Executive Director, FSR Global
14:05-14:15 (IST) / 10:35-10:45 (CEST): Opening Remarks by Bartosz Przywara | Counsellor, European Union Delegation to India
14:15-15:05 (IST) / 10:45-11:35 (CEST): Panel Discussion Moderated by Dr. Parul Bakshi | Research Fellow, FSR Global
- Alp Gunsever, Head of Secretariat, Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind and Renewable Energy
- Lalit Bohra, Joint Secretary, MNRE
- Thor Uglevig Petersen, Vice President for Wind Power, NIRAS
- Rajendra Kharul, Managing Partner and CEO, ClimateHub India
- Johanna Mansson-Delerce, Policy Officer, European Union Delegation to India
15:05-15:25 (IST)/ 11:35-11:55 (CEST): Q&A with the audience
15:25-15:30 (IST)/ 11:55-12:00 (CEST): Closing Remarks by Dr. Parul Bakshi | Research Fellow, FSR Global