This report presents the findings of Jemena’s demonstration in Victoria of three dynamic grid-side technologies, including Phase Shifting Devices, Power Compensation Devices, and a Battery Energy Storage System.
Report extract
In Australia many roof-top residential photovoltaic (PV) generators have been connected to the Low Voltage (LV) network, making Australia the top ranking country for residential solar installation on a per capita basis1. Looking to the future, forecasts such as CSIRO’s2, all point to continued growth in small-scale solar systems across Australia.
As distribution networks are not traditionally designed to host distributed energy resources (DER) such as PV, the two-way flow of electricity created has impact on the ability of the distribution networks to deliver quality electricity supply to its customers.
In 2020, AEMO published a survey on how DER are impacting distribution networks in the NEM3. Distribution Businesses identified voltage issues; problems with inverter settings at customers’ premises; and phase balancing and thermal capacity issues on feeders and at substations. The flow-on effects for customers can range from their PV system unknowingly being tripped off supply, PV export restriction, through to increased risk of localised distribution outages and also the costs passed through in network charges to manage these impacts.