AEMO Connections Tool Project

Summary

Need

The Connections Tool Project, combined with the development of an in-house operations simulator, is the first step of a staged approach for delivery of AEMO’s Australian Energy Simulation Centre (AESC), which was investigated through the ARENA-supported ‘National Energy Simulator Feasibility Study ’ completed in July 2019. The Study found that the AESC was technically feasible and could be economically beneficial to the electricity system and identified a suite of seven tools, including two priority tools, the Operations Simulator and the Connections Simulation Tool.

Action

The Connections Tool will help connections applicants, their original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and consultants, Network Service Providers (NSPs), and AEMO collaborate using common data sets to rapidly verify that prospective generators can be safely connected to the electricity network. The Connections Tool will be developed and rolled out in three phases to progressively larger numbers of users. During each phase, the AEMO will engage with users and incorporate stakeholder feedback into successive releases.

Outcome

On completion of the project, connections applicants will have the option to perform studies incorporating new plant models with wide-area power system models equivalent to those used by AEMO to assess connections applications. In doing so, connections applicants will be able to better design their generating system and have increased confidence that the study outcomes will meet the required acceptance criteria. This is expected to significantly streamline the applications process, reducing the risk, costs, and timeframe to complete connections approval.

Additional impact

Industry input will shape the solution of the Connection Tool. This will include active involvement from industry trial participants, working groups and also providing visibility through industry forums and communications. If you would like to be involved or find out more please contact AEMO via ConnectionsTool@aemo.com.au.