Tata Power Gets MERC Nod For 100 MW BESS In Mumbai

Tata Power has received approval from the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) to install a 100 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Mumbai over the next two years.

The BESS, equipped with ‘black start’ functionality, will enable the recovery of power supply to critical infrastructure, including the metro, hospitals, airports, and Data Centers, in case of grid disturbances. This will prevent large-scale blackouts and enhance Mumbai’s power network resilience. Additionally, the system’s technology will optimize reactive power management, improving peak demand efficiency and strengthening the city’s power infrastructure.

Role Of BESS Project

The BESS can facilitate peak load management, ensuring a stable and balanced power supply even during high-demand periods. It can also help reduce power purchase costs by storing energy during low-cost periods and utilizing it during high-cost peak hours thereby ensuring reduced tariffs for consumers in the future. Furthermore, the BESS will support capital expenditure (capex) deferral by minimizing the need for costly infrastructure upgrades and efficiently managing load fluctuations with stored energy.

Beyond enhancing grid reliability, the BESS also offers ancillary services, including frequency regulation and voltage support, to strengthen grid stability. It will also enable better utilization of solar energy by storing surplus daytime power and making it available during peak demand, ensuring optimal renewable energy integration with an increase in Green Energy consumption. Additionally, Tata Power’s BESS deployment will fulfill energy storage obligations. The entire 100 MW system will be installed across 10 sites, especially near load centers across Mumbai Distribution, centrally monitored and controlled from Tata Power’s Power System Control Center (PSCC).

Company’s Future Plans

Future plans include the integration of BESS into the Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) to enhance operational efficiency. Tata Power incorporated three layers of temperature monitoring and fire suppression systems at the cell, module, and rack levels within the BESS. This is to align with the company’s “Safety First” approach.

The system will have high round-trip efficiency with reduced auxiliary consumption, thereby enhancing operational performance and extending the storage system’s lifespan. As renewable energy adoption accelerates, BESS plays a pivotal role in enabling a smoother transition. Compared to conventional alternatives, BESS offers a more cost-effective, faster-to-deploy solution with a shorter gestation period, making it a key enabler of clean energy adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on BESS – Related Questions Asked On SolarFaqs

What is Tata Power’s 100 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and why is it important for Mumbai?

Tata Power’s 100 MW BESS is a cutting-edge energy storage system approved by MERC to be set up in Mumbai. It plays a vital role in ensuring uninterrupted power for essential services like hospitals, airports, metros, and data centers by acting as a backup during grid failures. This project significantly strengthens the city’s energy resilience and safeguards against large-scale blackouts.

How will the BESS help in reducing electricity costs for Mumbai consumers?

The BESS stores energy when it’s cheap and supplies it during expensive peak hours. This smart load management reduces the overall cost of power procurement, which in turn can lower electricity bills for consumers in the future.

What additional benefits does the BESS provide beyond just power backup?

Apart from emergency backup, the BESS supports frequency regulation, voltage stability, and improved reactive power management. It also enhances solar power usage by storing excess energy during the day and releasing it when demand is high, ensuring efficient integration of renewable energy into the grid.

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Where will the BESS be installed and how will it be managed?

The 100 MW BESS will be deployed across 10 strategic sites near key load centers in Mumbai. All operations will be centrally monitored and controlled from Tata Power’s Power System Control Center (PSCC), ensuring real-time visibility and maximum efficiency.

What safety and future-ready features are built into this BESS project?

Tata Power’s system is equipped with advanced safety layers like temperature monitoring and fire suppression at the cell, module, and rack levels. It’s also designed for integration with future technologies like DERMS (Distributed Energy Resource Management System), making it not just safe, but also scalable and future-ready for India’s clean energy transition.