seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from Oman
seen from United States
seen from Canada
seen from Argentina
seen from Colombia
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
RPF Seizes Live Turtles From Farakka Express, Three Arrested
Intelligence-Based Raid Uncovers Bags of Protected Species on Train Key Points: RPF recovered live turtles from Farakka Express during a raid Three suspects were arrested for alleged wildlife trafficking Operation followed specific intelligence inputs JAMSHEDPUR – Railway Protection Force personnel seized a large number of live turtles from a passenger train and arrested three suspected…
Why India’s Coal Plants Are Stranded After Sunset
India’s dispatch logic still rewards the cheapest power, not operational discipline. As solar peaks push down market prices, thermal units are stranded — waiting to rescue the grid when the sun sets.
The Dispatch Paradox
India’s power scheduling framework prizes least-cost energy. When solar output surges midday, market clearing prices crash to ₹2–3 per kWh. State utilities cut back long-term coal allocations and chase cheap exchange power instead.
But coal stations can’t ramp down easily. They must stay online at technical minimum load to preserve grid inertia and spinning reserve — incurring losses even as their schedules vanish.
Farakka’s Case Study
On 1 June 2025, NTPC Farakka-I, II & III were instructed to maintain generation through solar hours despite curtailed schedules. Because SCUC–SCED optimisation wasn’t invoked, these plants were penalised under the Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM) for producing above schedule — punished for doing the right thing.
The incident appeared in the 53rd and 54th Commercial Committee meetings of the Eastern Region but remains unresolved.
When Discipline Gets Penalised
DSM rules aim to deter erratic behaviour. Yet here, deviation meant discipline. Farakka’s units generated above entitlement only to stabilise frequency and prepare for evening ramp-up. Result: losses booked against prudence, while discoms profited from the same grid stability that these units maintained.
SCUC–SCED: Missing in Action
The IEGC 2023 and First Amendment 2024 (Clause 6(5)(10)) explicitly require SCUC–SCED protection for technical minimums. Implementation, however, still lags. Until these optimisation tools run automatically, disciplined Section 62 generators will continue paying DSM penalties for holding the line.
Discoms’ Market Drift
Several eastern discoms now rely first on RTM and DAM markets during solar hours. Their long-term allocations — meant to ensure baseload — often go un-requisitioned. That shifts balancing responsibility to generators, who absorb both DSM hits and under-recovery.
The Hidden Cost of Flexibility
Every megawatt held at minimum load consumes fuel and auxiliary power with no assured compensation. Coal plants can’t cycle cheaply like gas or storage, yet they remain India’s only flexible buffer during the solar-to-evening transition. This readiness — vital for reliability — is effectively subsidised by the very generators penalised for providing it.
The Takeaway
India’s dispatch reform is only half complete. Economics chase the cheapest marginal unit; physics demand stable inertia. Until scheduling tools and DSM accounting recognise both, disciplined coal generators will keep paying for reliability others enjoy free. For more https://www.energylineindia.com/
#farakkabarrage #farakka #gangesriver #ganga #theganges #thegangesriver #streetphotography #clickonboard #clickfromthetrain #motog825gshot (at Njp-Howrah Shatabdi Express) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co9kf6kPxu6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
New Farakka Express derailment: Preliminary enquiry indicates glitch in train's guiding system
New Farakka Express derailment: Preliminary enquiry indicates glitch in train’s guiding system
The report of the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) released Tuesday suggested the reason behind the derailment was that it was given a green signal despite the point failure. (IE)
A preliminary enquiry into the derailment of the New Farakka Express has indicated that it went off the tracks as a mechanical installation which guides trains from one track to the other had failed to respond,…
View On WordPress
New Farakka Express derailment: Indian Railways suspends two officials
New Farakka Express derailment: Indian Railways suspends two officials
Five coaches and the engine of the New Delhi bound New Farakka Express derailed near Rae Bareli early Wednesday, killing at least five people and seriously injuring nine. (IE)
Railways suspended two officials Thursday over derailment of the New Farakka Express, senior officials said. They said that the signal inspector and the electrical signal maintainer were suspended to facilitate the…
View On WordPress
