ABSTRACT
India faces the significant challenge of providing access to affordable, secure, and low-carbon energy to its people. It is noteworthy that India is gaining global recognition thanks to its voluntary commitment to achieve an energy mix that promotes low-carbon growth. India is making progress towards enhancing the grid’s ability to adapt to changing electricity supply and demand patterns. As India marches on the path to a flexible energy system, it becomes crucial for the country to develop an integrated approach where future-oriented solutions such as cross-border energy exchanges, energy storage, demand-side measures and effective markets are at the core. Ramped up grid flexibility requires substantial investment, for example for retrofitting existing power plants, developing pumped hydro and battery storage capacities, and strengthening the transmission infrastructure. Markets which are able to balance electricity demand and supply across larger geographical areas are better able to deal with the variability of renewables.
