DI ST RIBUT E D GENERATION
MAXIMISING DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES USING STATE ESTIMATION by Energy Queensland
Every Australian state has a net zero emissions target by 2050 and the rapid growth of rooftop solar is creating a range of challenges for the distribution networks.
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nergy Queensland has a number of strategies and technology solutions to meet these challenges and it sees existing poles and wires being a critical enabler of a distributed energy future, where distribution networks enabled by new technology are the platform for sharing solar generated electricity and batteries, and also enabling the electrification of transport. Part of the solution has come from a project led by engineers from Energy Queensland’s Ergon Energy Network and Energex, and software company GridQube. They have developed a powerful tool that enables the network to generate
an accurate picture of real-time operation from limited data. Using this information, networks can interact with customers or aggregators to communicate additional opportunities for export or charging for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) such as rooftop solar or batteries. It’s been recognised as a game changer for the industry and won the Energy Networks Australia 2021 Industry Innovation Award. The tool analyses the two-way flow of electricity on the network and determines optimal ranges for export or import at a customer connection point such that DER operation remains within network limits.
EQL TEAM MEMBERS (L – R) GREG MARTIN (RENEWABLE ENERGY & DEMAND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT), TIM LEWSEY (MANAGER INTELLIGENT GRID ENABLEMENT) EGM ENGINEERING PETER PRICE, TERESE MILFORD (SENIOR FUTURE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER) AND PETER KILBY (SENIOR GRID TRANSFORMATION ENGINEER).
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UTILITY • FEBRUARY 2022
Energex and Ergon Energy Senior Technology Development Engineer, Terese Milford, said the power flowing through the grid changes every minute of every day depending on how much energy people are using or generating. “We’re aiming to offer customers a dynamic connection that will support greater installation of renewables, batteries and electric vehicles for customers wanting them without putting excessive pressure on the network,” Ms Milford said. “Customers can choose their own individualised experience. At times, customers will export surplus power to the grid. At other times, customers will benefit from using the power they generate within their home or business to charge an electric vehicle or run the washing machine. This will become set and forget based on a customer’s energy preferences. “It’s a paradigm shift from the existing approach of fixed export limits, unlocking network capacity where and when it’s available.”
DYNAMIC CONNECTION AGREEMENTS Ergon and Energex have been working towards this objective for some time. In December 2020, a consultation paper was released
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