US project to integrate clean energy into Gujarat transmission

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Friday said it has signed an agreement with state-run Gujarat Energy Transmission Corp (GETCO) to support the integration of renewable energy like wind and solar power with its transmission system.

"This technical assistance will allow GETCO to analyze its power system through modelling and statistical techniques, and to develop strategies to ensure appropriate load balancing and frequency regulation for its transmission operations," the USTDA said in a release here.

The agreement was signed during the fifth annual India-US Strategic Dialogue which concluded here Thursday. The respective delegations were led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and US Secretary of State John Kerry.

The Gujarat project will be carried out by US firm Quanta Technology.

"We are pleased to support this effort to identify US solutions that can enhance the reliability of transmission networks as renewable power sources become a growing part of India's energy mix," said Henry Steingass, regional director, USTDA.

Energy cooperation between India and the US is a core element of the India-U.S strategic partnership.

The US-India Energy Dialogue was established in 2005 to enhance mutual energy security, promote increased energy trade and investment, and facilitate the deployment of clean energy technologies.

In November 2009, the two governments signed an MoU to enhance cooperation on energy security, energy efficiency, clean energy and Climate Change, which established the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE).