S2c: Data Access and Mapping Capability Review

models used. Further investigation needs to be carried out to confirm that the available hosting capacity calculation methods are fit for purpose for the relevant use cases and impact factors. Further investigation is also warranted to ensure an appropriate way to measure and communicate the level of hosting capacity performance that a DNSP is providing to its customers within a nationally consistent approach as contemplated by the access and pricing rule change.

• Application use cases: Existing research and technology developments rely on hosting capacity assessments largely focused on solar PV hosting capacity. The assessment of combined hosting capacity for multiple DER technologies requires cross-evaluation of impacts of one technology on the other’s hosting capacity. A proposed direction for research is to investigate hosting capacity under coordinated management of DER (e.g., batteries and EVs) and cost-reflective pricing on underlying load profiles. The equity of the control scheme and the fair distribution of capacity among customers needs to be considered in addition to the calculation of hosting capacity, as the calculation of hosting capacity itself depends upon the control scheme used or assumed.

S2c: Data Access and Mapping Capability Review

The transition to a decarbonised, smart and increasingly decentralised energy system will see the emergence of new capabilities to enhance DER hosting capacity and operate LV networks. This will increasingly involve participation of parties outside network businesses, from small DER prosumers to large retailers, aggregators and technology suppliers acting as agents or conduits. Therefore, external data access is critical to effectively communicate and facilitate information on LV network characteristics, conditions and emerging needs to address LV network challenges and create new opportunities to unlock DER value. Data access and transparency is also a vital enabler for trust between customers, networks, regulators and third parties. While mapping hosting capacity is the primary form of external data access application, the scope of this review has been broadened to a range of use cases, and other forms of access like APIs. With the exception of smart metering jurisdictions (Vic, WA), current levels of LV visibility in Australian networks are low, and the primary focus of LV data usage has been internal to networks. As such, the use of LV data access and mapping techniques is in an early stage in Australia. While the potential for external LV data access appears high, the value proposition for publishing LV data needs to be better established. Furthermore, the level of coordination across industry parties to effectively communicate LV data and deploy mapping solutions remains unclear. Through a capability review and engagement with stakeholders and subject matter experts, relevant aspects of LV data access and mapping are identified, including pathways for LV data access, key strategic considerations, lessons learnt from local and international precedents, and standing barriers and opportunities. Existing initiatives have explored alternatives in how users can access network data. Factors that lead to different pathways include (i) LV data sources, (ii) how data is managed and

processed, and (iii) the level and type of data access required. The figure below identifies three main pathways.

Figure S-1 Three Primary Data Access Pathways

To assess which data pathways are likely or useful for the industry more broadly, specific use cases are assessed against the strength of the need for i) cross-jurisdictional coordination (to provide consistency and market efficiency), ii) external mapping access (to enable each data use case, such as US-style hosting capacity map applications) and iii) contractual transactions if these require data to realise the DER or LV network value, as publishing to an actionable marketplace may negate the need for other “viewing only” data access platforms . This assessment revealed that: • Regulators have relatively limited direct use cases requiring mapping, but a high need for cross-jurisdictional consistency. However, ensuring trust between consumers, commercial participants, networks and market operators is vital to the regulator’s role, particularly in the context of hosting capacity calculation methodologies. Trust is unlikely to be achieved without a reasonable degree of data transparency, even if regulatory functions can largely be undertaken from consistently reported data.

• As network conditions and needs at the LV level become more operationally dynamic and move from the realm of ‘planning’ to ‘operation’, the need for data availability, analysis and action becomes far more granular, time critical and potentially automated. Such use cases are digital infrastructure intensive, which lends itself to common market tools and frameworks.