TNEB Holds Talks With IIT Madras Experts On Power Grid

The meeting was chaired by Electricity Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar and convened after directions from Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay during an energy department review.

Participants focused on grid stability during periods of high renewable output, balancing demand and supply and enhancing the flexibility of thermal power stations to ramp up and down as required.

Emphasis was placed on improving the accuracy of generation forecasts and on operational protocols to reduce curtailment and ensure secure balancing.

Advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced data analytics and Battery Energy Storage Systems were reviewed as means to smooth variability and provide ancillary services.

Modern grid management solutions were identified as critical for coordinating distributed generation, storage and conventional plants while maintaining system reliability.

The meeting outlined priorities for research, pilot deployments and scale up of proven approaches.

The minister emphasised creation of a climate resilient power infrastructure and directed officials and experts to submit detailed recommendations to ensure uninterrupted and reliable power supply across Tamil Nadu.

An Integrated Committee comprising members of the IIT Madras expert group and the TNEB Research and Development team was decided upon to take forward the proposals.

Joint managing director finance IS Mercy Ramya will coordinate the committee.

TNEB chairman J Radhakrishnan, Energy Department Principal Secretary Anil Meshram and senior officials participated in the discussions to align operational, planning and policy aspects.

The committee is expected to bridge technical expertise and utility operations to accelerate integration of renewable energy while safeguarding grid performance.

The process aims to provide a roadmap for flexible operations, enhanced forecasting and targeted investments.