Whenever there is talk of green energy or renewable energy in the country and the world, the biggest question that always arises is what will happen if the sky is cloudy or the sun does not shine? Solar panels generate electricity only when the sun shines, and wind turbines generate energy only when there are strong winds. In such a situation, to deal with this crisis of uncertainty arising from the harsh weather, the leading companies of the renewable energy sector are now working on a new and modern formula, which is saving them from losses worth crores.
To mitigate these fluctuations in energy production, renewable companies are now extensively using energy storage systems, such as battery storage and hybrid models. When electricity production is abundant during the day and demand is low, this excess energy is stored in large batteries. Then, when sunlight is absent at night or during cloudy weather, this stored electricity is re-supply to the grid, ensuring supply disruptions and preventing companies from incurring financial losses.
In addition to battery storage, companies are increasingly adopting the concept of “hybrid power plants.” A prime example is the combination of solar and wind energy. It’s often observed that during periods of lack of sunshine or poor weather, winds are stronger, and wind farms generate more electricity. Companies often install both solar and wind power plants within a single project, so that if one source fails, the other can easily compensate.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics have become crucial in making this entire process smart and successful. Using meteorological satellite data and AI algorithms, companies can accurately predict the amount of sunlight and wind speed over the next few hours or days. Based on this predictive data, grid power supply and storage are planned, preventing any unexpected outages.
Thanks to government support and new grid management regulations, renewable companies’ business models are becoming increasingly secure and profitable. To promote clean energy, grids across the world, including India, are being strengthened to more easily manage uncertain power supplies. Amidst these vagaries of weather, green energy companies, with the help of technology and hybrid models, are not only preventing losses but also significantly strengthening their position in the future energy market.