ACME

Presentation
To

Forum of
Indian

ACME Group Overview

The ACME group was founded in 2003
ACME Tele Power Limited (ATPL), the
flagship company of ACME Group, is a
leading

provider

management

solutions

of

Revenue Growth Path

(in INR million)

energy

for

telecom

sector
Presently has an employee strength of

G
A
C

>

0
30

1500
Global presence
7

Patents

Awarded

&

100%

commercialized
2 2ACMEs
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products and solutions are innovation

The ACME Group: Diversified Businesses

Telecom
Provides technology
solutions to the
telecom industry both
in India as well as
around the world
Energy management
solutions for various
industrial sectors
Solar Energy
Focused on
commercializing
technologies for
environmentallyfriendly and efficient
energy generation
system

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Distributed Power Generation

Distributed power
generation through
various state-of-the-art
technologies like Micro
Solar Thermal,
Microturbines, fuel cells
etc
Waste Water Treatment
Provides complete water,
waste-water and waste
management solutions
Offers both point-of-entry
and point-of-discharge
solutions

Solar Potential in our Country

Abundant solar energy of

5,000 trillion kWh/year
Major regions of India enjoy
strong radiation almost
throughout the year
A predictable, reliable,
perennial source of energy
and has got potential to meet
the total energy requirement
of the country
4
4 Clean,
environment friendly
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Solar Thermal : Globally promising

technology

1200 MW of Solar Thermal capacity already under

construction
13900 MW of Solar Thermal projects announced for
2014
Wide array of operational international installations:

Solar Energy Generation Systems plant, USA (354 MW)

Nevada Solar One, USA (50 MW)
Andasol 1, Spain (50 MW)
PS20, Spain (20 MW)
PS10, Spain (11 MW)

3 World bank projects for Solar Thermal approved in

Egypt, Morocco and Mexico

eSolar technology: While other plants still offer high
tariffs (e.g., Rs. 21/unit for PS10 in Spain), with eSolar
technology, tariff is approximatelyRs. 14/unit currently
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ACME in Solar Thermal

ACME was first to introduce the cutting-edge
modular Solar Thermal technology in India
Exclusive agreement with leading technology
provider eSolar of USA
ACME Solar Thermal:
2.5 50 MW modules for power generation
First 10 MW plant is under implementation and
first module is likely to be ready by March
2010 in Bikaner
50 MW plant to be ready by Dec 2010 in
Gujarat
150 MW being developed in Rajasthan for
Northern regional states (Delhi, Haryana,
Punjab, Rajasthan)
100 MW MOU signed with MP Govt.
5 MW allocated by Maharashtra Govt under
MNRE scheme

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ACME is building worlds cheapest solar thermal powe

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Advantages of Solar Thermal

Parameter
Energy Security
Manufacturing
Potential

Raw material
Job Creation

Efficiency
Allied beneficiary
industries

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Solar Thermal
No dependence on imports
Predictable & perennial power supply
Manufacturing facility for all components exist in
India
Only incremental investment. Boilers, Mirrors,
Turbines, Towers
No raw material imported, as opposed to other solar
technologies
Highly labor intensive
Creation of huge direct and indirect employment
Solar Thermal plants create 2.5 times as many
skilled high paying jobs as other conventional power
plants
Greater than 24% (Higher than any other
commercially available Solar technology)
Steel, Glass, Software, Tools, Construction, Mining,
Heavy equipment

Solar Thermal Equipments Manufacturing

Capacity
Componen
t

Suppliers Identified

Manufacturing capacity

Solar Block
Mirror

Indian and MNC majors

Boiler
Tower

Many local small &

medium industries

Many local small &

medium industries

6 months delivery period

Any capacity can be made available
6 months delivery period
Capacity can be ramped up as required
3 months delivery period
Large production capacity in India

Power Block
Turbine

Local SMEs, Maxwatt,

Turbotech, Triveni,
BHEL, Siemens

Cooling
Tower

Local SMEs, Gammon,

Paltech, Paharpur

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Multiple 2.5 MW to 50 MW units with 6-12

months delivery time
Capacity enhancement as required
5 to 50 MW modules with 6-8 months for
commissioning
Capacity enhancement as required

In 12 months, capacity can be scaled up to few thousand MW

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ACMEs Capability
ACME proposes to set up multiple solar power
projects at different locations as follows:
Utility scale Solar Thermal Power projects of 100 MW
each at different locations
Solar Photovoltaic technology based power projects
Integrated solar combined cycle system (ISCCS)
Power project of 210 MW capacity, which will use both
conventional and non- conventional energy sources.
Micro- Solar technology based power projects:

Off-grid (domestic)
Off-grid non domestic
Grid connected
Distributed generation

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How Solar Thermal Technology works

A field of sun-tracking heliostats reflects solar
heat to a thermal receiver mounted on top of
a tower
The focused heat boils water within the
thermal receiver and produces steam
The plant pipes the steam from each thermal
receiver and aggregates it at the turbine
The steam powers a standard turbine and
generator to produce solar electricity
The steam then condenses back to water
1010through cooling, and the process repeats
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Aerial view of the 5 MW facility

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About Solar Thermal Technology

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Sun rays producing steam from receiver

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Integrated Steam Combined Cycle

The ISCC plant will generate

210 MW of power for about
6 7 hours and when the
solar steam stops at
sundown, the plant will
deliver 160 MW
This will help in meeting the
loads during peak hours as
well as in optimal utilisation
of solar capacity.

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Photovoltaic Power System

A photovoltaic (PV) power
system converts the suns energy
directly into electricity. The main
component of a PV system is a
photovoltaic module which
consists of a number of
photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaic modules and
inverter and all the ancillary
control and management
equipment together make a
photovoltaic power system.
PV systems vary in size to suit
different applications (for
example houses, commercial and
industrial buildings or centralized
production).
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Micro Solar Thermal

A parabolic trough is a type of solar thermal energy collector. It is constructed
as a long parabolic mirror (usually coated silver or polished aluminum) with a
Dewar tube running its length at the focal point. Sunlight is reflected by the
mirror and concentrated on the Dewar tube. The trough is aligned on a death
star, and rotated to track the sun as it moves across the sky each day.
Heat transfer fluid (usually oil) runs through the tube to absorb the
concentrated sunlight

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Acmes perspective on
Regulatory Frame work.

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ACMEs Observations
Project Cost and Tariff Determination
Acme has acquired eSolar technology, which is modular and scalable. The present project
cost is Rs 15 cr per MW and corresponding energy tariff is comparatively high. The initial
high tariff needs to be supported and nurtured by feed in tariff . This initial support is
needed so as the technology is developed and all the high cost projects equipments are
indigenized.
After achieving scale of say 500 MW the project cost is expected to attain parity with
conventional coal based Thermal projects.
The subsidy on new projects can be gradually reduced and brought to zero.
CERC/ SERC to determine the project cost and the corresponding tariff in the spirit as
enshrined in The Electricity Act 2003 and the objectives/ strategy of Solar Mission
document of National Action Plan on Climate Change.
Cl. 86 (e) of Electricity Act 2003, mentions one of the functions of State Commission as
promote cogeneration and generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy by
providing suitable measures for connectivity with the grid and sale of electricity..
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ACMEs Observations
In order to utilize and harness the generous gift of Mother Nature i. e. Radiant Solar
Energy optimally, the provision of Integrated Solar and Combined Cycle Power Project
(ISCCP), has been envisaged. Acme has planned to set up at least two such ISCCPP.
Honourable commission may consider these projects with view to encourage these
projects.
Definition of Solar Thermal Projects to be brought in line with California Electricity
Commission.

CERC to decide the tariff , if beneficiaries are more than one state & SERC/State Govt to
decide extent of share by various utilities with in the state.
SERC to decide the tariff , if beneficiary is with in a state.
Solar projects where MNRE is providing subsidy, those projects should be eligible for
tariff determination by CERC.
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ACMEs Observations
Solar projects to be kept exempted from Custom and Excise duties.
Accelerated depreciation has been introduced by some of the SERC s, however the
same can only be availed by developers having income tax liabilities. It is
requested to provide corresponding incentive in the tariff for the developers who
cant avail the benefit of accelerated depreciation. This will provide level field to
develop the solar power projects.
Subsidized interest rate on loan.
Speed up the process of tariff determination of each state and PPA.
Grid Connectivity
Transmission of solar energy will not be subjected to Open Access charges from
Central Transmission system in case of inter state transmission of power with in the
same region.
Transmission line/ power evacuation system to be provided by state governments) or
its agency.
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ACMEs Observations
Capital Cost for Solar Thermal Power Project
Normative capital cost for Solar Thermal Project with STP technology is to be
specified as 15 Cr/MW and above, depending on the technology adopted.

Capital cost for :

10 MW capacity PS-10 project at Seville, in Spain - Euro 35 Million i.e. >20 Cr/MW.
20 MW capacity PS-20 project at Seville, in Spain - >21 Cr/MW.
Proposal to keep the capital cost of project with Solar Thermal technology in India,
not less than 15Cr/MW.

Capacity utilization factor

CUF is linked to Direct Insolation Level of the area where project is located.
In best conditions CUF is not likely to exceed 22%, the same to be specified as a
normative figure for solar thermal power project .
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ACMEs Observations
Return on Equity
The pre-tax return to the level of 19% for first 10 years which gives effective
post- tax return of 15 % revised as per our suggestion. We are thankful for the
same.
Capital Cost of Solar PV
Proposal to keep the Capital cost of project with Solar PV in India, not less than
18Cr/MW.
Capacity utilization factor
Proposed CUF of 19% for Solar PV is on the higher side.
Reasonable figure of CUF with Solar Insolation level of 800-1000 W/m 2 should
be 16-18%.
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Summary
India has got huge potential for development of MW class Solar Thermal power
projects.
Technologies are credible, reliable & simple.
Biggest deterrent is high initial cost due to the fact that all critical components of
solar block are imported.
Technology needs initial support in the form of preferential tariff/feed-in tariff.
Certain level of installed capacity in order to achieve economies of scale, critical
components being imported can be localized 100%.
Capital cost of Solar Thermal Power Project can be brought down by localisation.

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