The importance of swiftly incorporating grid-forming inverters in the expansion of renewable energy.
India is moving towards adopting grid-forming inverters (GFIs) as a key technology for renewable energy grid stabilization, driven by its rapid expansion of renewable capacity and evolving grid requirements.
At a recent meeting of the Ministry of Power, a representative of Grid India suggested that GFIs would be required in the future, particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan, where over 60% of the under-construction wind and solar plants are located. These renewable energy installations pose challenges for the grid operator due to their unsteady electricity supply.
The renewable sector in India is booming, with an expected addition of 32 GW new renewable capacity in 2025 alone. This surge is increasing the need for advanced grid stabilization technologies like GFIs to manage the variability and maintain grid reliability.
To facilitate this transition, the Ministry of Power is expanding support schemes such as the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for battery energy storage systems (BESS). These storage systems, often coupled with inverter technologies, help stabilize the grid when solar generation fluctuates.
Industry discussions and policy dialogues, such as the upcoming Mercom India Renewables Summit in July 2025, emphasize hybrid power solutions and grid stability to support growing renewable integration. Experts and policymakers are focusing on scaling renewable integration while enhancing grid resilience, a role that GFIs are expected to play prominently.
While direct policy mandates on GFIs in India are still evolving, the combination of increasing renewable penetration, expanded battery storage schemes, and active industry discussions underscores growing recognition of GFIs' importance. Grid India is reportedly conducting simulation studies on frequency and voltage control using GFMs.
Vinay Pabba, CEO of Vibrant Energy, has described GFM as the "unsung heroes of modern power infrastructure." According to Pabba, regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders should champion grid-forming technologies as a standard for all new inverter-based systems.
Traditional inverters, known as grid-following inverters (GFL), require a reference voltage and frequency from the grid to operate. In contrast, GFM inverters have microprocessors and software that enable them to generate a stable voltage and frequency signal independently, making them ideal for renewable energy projects.
Countries such as Australia, Germany, China, and the US have already switched to using GFM for renewable energy projects. In the event of a blackout, GFL inverters stop working and restart once re-energized, while GFM can ensure a stable power supply, even as more intermittent renewable energy is added.
Experts consider grid-forming inverters (GFM) to be game-changers in modern power infrastructure. As India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, the adoption of GFM is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining grid stability and reliability.
[1] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. (2023). India's Renewable Energy Outlook 2023. [2] Ministry of Power, Government of India. (2023). Viability Gap Funding Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems. [3] International Energy Agency. (2023). World Energy Outlook 2023. [4] Mercom India Renewables Summit 2025. (2025). Agenda.
- The Ministry of Power in India is supporting the transition to grid-forming inverters (GFIs) for renewable energy grid stabilization, citing the surge in renewable capacity and evolving grid requirements.
- In upcoming discussions such as the Mercom India Renewables Summit in July 2025, hybrid power solutions and grid stability will be emphasized in support of growing renewable integration.
- Traditional grid-following inverters (GFL) are being overshadowed by grid-forming inverters (GFM), as the latter, with their ability to generate a stable voltage and frequency signal independently, are ideal for renewable energy projects.
- The adoption of GFIs is expected to increase due to growing recognition of their importance, as indicated by the increased renewable penetration, expanded battery storage schemes, and active industry discussions.
- Countries like Australia, Germany, China, and the US have already adopted GFMs for their renewable energy projects, appreciating their potential to ensure a stable power supply amid the addition of more intermittent renewable energy.
- Industry leaders such as Vinay Pabba, CEO of Vibrant Energy, are advocating for grid-forming technologies like GFMs to be adopted as a standard for all new inverter-based systems.
- The development of GFIs for renewable energy grid stabilization is expected to be a key factor in India's ongoing efforts to expand its renewable energy capacity while maintaining grid stability and reliability.
