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MATHANIA Solar Hybrid Power Project 

The whole world is greatly concerned about tremendous increase in demand of energy and consequent depletion of convention energy sources like wood, coal oil etc. Burning of fossil Fuels causes serious ecological imbalance and adversely effect on public health, wild life rainfall etc, An obvious solution is utilisation of Renewable Energy Sources like solar, wind tide, geo thermal and biomass, available in abundance in nature.

Solar Energy in Rajasthan

India is located in the equatorial belt of the earth, thereby receiving abundant radiant energy from the sun. In most parts of India, clear sunny day is experienced 250 to 300 days a year. The annual global radiation varies from 1600 to 2200 KWh/Sq.m. which is comparable with radiation received in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The equivalent energy potential is about 6,000 million GWh of energy per year. The highest annual global radiation is received in Rajasthan (Solar insolation ranging between 6-6.4 Kwh/m2/day in about half of Rajasthan). In Rajasthan, large areas of land are barren and sparsely populated, making these areas suitable as locations for large central power stations based on solar energy.

The Government of Rajasthan supports development of both solar thermal and solar photovoltaics (SPV) power generation. To demonstrate and commercialize solar thermal technology in India, Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) is promoting megawatt scale projects such as the proposed solar thermal plant at Mathania in Rajasthan. Government of India is encouraging private sector projects through fiscal and promotional incentives for the renewable energy sector. Parallel efforts are underway in the area of solar PV in which pilot-scale grid-connected solar PV power systems (25 KW to 100 KW) are under trial operations in addition to stand-alone projects in remote unelectrified areas. In Rajasthan, the State Government plans to establish a Solar Energy Enterprises Zone (SEEZ) in the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur by offering a package of incentives to private investors willing to develop various solar power technologies including solar thermal, solar photovoltaics (SPV), solar chimney etc. An International solicitation recently issued by Rajasthan has yielded two 50 MW solar PV power stations as well as one solar chimney project (200 MW) to be operated on an Independent Power Production (IPP) basis.

 Solar Power Project

Mathania is about 30 Kms from Jodhpur. Solar radiation available in this regions is of the order of 6-6 .4 K wh/m2/ day which makes it a suitable location foe setting up of large Central Power Station based on Solar Energy. The Main objective of the project are
  • a) to demonstrate that operational viability of solar thermal power generation
  • b) support solar power technology development and
  • c) help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) global emissions in the longer term.
This project has been envisaged as the first step in a long term programme for promoting solar thermal power in Rajasthan which would lead to development of similar systems in the country.

Description of Mathania Project

This project involves construction of an integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) plant with an average Solar yield of about 35 MW and a fossil field of maximum 3 times the solar field capacity, the total output of around 140 MW. It will be based on the integrated operation of the parabolic trough solar plant with a combined cycle gas turbine using fossil fuels such as Naphtha, fuel oil or low sulphur heavy stock (LSHS). The ISCC will operate as base load plant with and expected plant load factor of 80%.

The proposed project site is at Mathania near Jodhpur, Rajasthan located at 26.18' North Latitude, 73.01' longitude and 224 meter about MSL. In addition to high solar insulation levels, the proposed site involves approximately 800.000 m2 of relatively level land with access to water resource and is in proximity to electric transmission facilities. The ISSC plant will comprise

  1. a solar field with a collection area of 219,000 m2 to support a 35 to 40 MW solar thermal plants) combined cycle power block involving two gas turbines each connected the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) and a steam turbines connected to both HRSG.
  2. ancillary facilities and plant services such as fire protection. Naphtha/fuel oil/LSHS supply and storage system, and grid interconnection system, water supply and storage system, and grid interconnection system, water supply and treatment systems, etc.
A central building will have a central microprocessor control system that monitoring and controls all operations.

Rationale for the Project

The capital cost of solar thermal power generation technologies is 2.5 to 3 times more than fossil-based generation options resulting in a cost per unit of electricity higher than conventional power. The solar thermal power generation option would, therefore, not dind policy and funding support if investment decisions were based solely on traditional economic and financial criteria However, the potential role of solar technology in mitigating GHG emissions and obviating other deleterious environmental effects associated with fossil fired plants is increasing lybeing recognised. Reduction of the high mitigating GHG emissions and obviating other being recognised. Reduction of the high capital cost of solar power is required to move the technology closer of the economic mainstream Looking to the long range benefits. Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has decided to grant US $ 45 million to the project to party neutralise the incremental cost of the project Government of India (GOI) has also decided to sanction a grant of US $ 15 million and German Development and KW has agreed to provide and load of DM 250 million for the project. For the project GOR has agreed to provide balance required of funds as loan for the project which has been estimated to cost US $ 280 million.

Demonstrating the solar plant's operational viability under Rajasthan's field conditions is expected to result in follow-up investment by the private sector in large solar station in Rajasthan Insight into local design and operating factors such as meteorological and grid conditions, and use of available back-up fuels, are expected to lead to its replicability, opening up avenues for large development of solar power plant with limited access to cheap competing fuels. Creation of demand for large scale production of solar facilities will in turn lead to reductions in costs of equipment supply and operation. It is also expected to revive and sustain the international business and scientific community in improving systems designs and operations of solar thermal plants.

The operation of the solar plan is expected to avid emission of 64,000 tons/year of Carbon Dioxide compared to regular combined cycle operation, of 1.6 million tones during its lifetime. The cost of Carbon dioxide avoidance based on ISSCC operation is estimated at about US $ 13 per ton compared to US $ 34 ton if based on a conventional solar plant backed, up by a Ranking Cycle power block . These carbon Dioxide avoidance costs are competitive with other Carbon Dioxide avoidance technologies.