Auroville Consulting

Tamil Nadu’s rapid industrial growth and economic development have led to a surge in electricity demand, further fueled by the increasing use of air conditioning (AC) and the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).   India cooling action plan   anticipates an eightfold rise in nationwide cooling demand by 2037-38, with Tamil Nadu experiencing substantial growth in this regard. Additionally, 2030   NITI Aayog’s ambitious targets   significant EV penetration, shaping the state’s transportation landscape. These shifting demand dynamics present both challenges and opportunities for Tamil Nadu’s electricity sector planning. This report endeavors to forecast the state’s electricity demand in 2030, considering the expected rise in AC and EV usage, thereby providing valuable insights for informed decision-making. In alignment with climate goals, Tamil Nadu aims to derive  50% of its energy from renewable sources   2030, capitalizing on its ample wind and solar resourc...

For Low Tension (LT) C&I consumers of Tamil Nadu, Solar plus energy storage systems offer cost-effective and financially viable options. We will dive deep to understand the full potential of solar plus energy storage solutions in Tamil Nadu. In this report, we will explore two cases: ‘Best Economic Returns’ case which prioritizes cost savings, and ‘Towards Net Zero’ case which maximizes solar energy use. Both are compared to a ‘Business as Usual’ case which accounts for energy charges from the grid and diesel generators.  Battery storage replaces diesel generators  in both cases. The report finds that it is financially viable to adopt behind-the-meter (BtM) solar plus energy storage systems for both commercial and industrial LT consumers in Tamil Nadu. It offers attractive payback periods ranging from 3 to 9 years and a significant reduction in the discounted cost of electricity supply for 10-years. We saw savings of up to 45% over a 10-year period compared to the ‘Busines...

  Land is a finite resource with competing and conflicting uses. Unplanned and unscientific use of land can exacerbate climate change and disasters like drought or floods. Judicious use of land resources is key in meeting the state’s social, economic, and   environmental development  goals. A comprehensive land suitability assessment can guide responsible and sustainable development practices and land-use policies. Tamil Nadu  is planning to increase its tree cover from 23% to   33% of the total geographic area  (TGA) by the year 2030. Almost 1,06,05,541 acres of land have to be under tree cover to meet this target. Currently, the state has 23% of its TGA under tree cover, which is 73,91,741 acres. An additional area of 32,13,800 acres of land needs to be forested to meet the state target. Forests in many parts of India, including Tamil Nadu, are facing numerous challenges, including deforestation, degradation, loss of biodiversity, and conflicts between fo...