Virtual power plants and microgrids

Balancing load through large-scale batteries in a microgrid containing behind- the-meter rooftop PVs and batteries a) How can a microgrid operate under a VPP? b) How can each microgrid operate as a single entity in a VPP regime, where the VPP control a large geographical area? c) How can primary and secondary controllers be designed for networked microgrids, and what is the function of the tertiary controller in this scheme?

2026-29

Balancing interests (RO9) Optimal siting and sizing of microgrids and community batteries

N/A

2. Conducting interactive surveys among different stakeholders will help to determine the key sizing and siting factors community batteries using the identified factors and their associated contributions

5.2 Research recommendations and roadmap

As shown in Figure 2, the regulatory, ownership, social and business aspects covered in RO1, RO2, RO3, RO7 and RO9 overarch all the technical aspects covered in RO4, RO5, RO6 and RO8. All research projects should therefore focus on one or more technical aspects while also integrating some or all of the non-technical aspects. The approach below and Table 3 represents a roadmap for research projects in the RACE for 2030 ‘Opportunity Assessment: Local DER Network Solutions’.

1. RO6. Advanced Technologies: Concept numbers 12 to 17

2. RO8. Microgrids and VPPs: Concept numbers 19 to 25

3. RO5. Energy Storage and RO4. Electric Vehicles: Concept numbers 6 to 11

The following combined research concepts have been identified as high priority for the research theme and the RACE for 2030 CRC:

1. RO6. Advanced Technologies a. Urban Renewable Energy Zones (No. 12) combined with b. Context-aware network capacity assessment for DER deployment (No. 14)

2. RO8. Microgrids and VPPs a. Analysis for cost-effective embedded and stand-alone microgrids (No. 19) combined with b. Power electronics dominated power system (No. 22)

3. RO5. Energy Storage and RO4. Electric Vehicles a. Storage Technologies Feasibility Study for Community Storage Application (No. 8) combined with b. Harnessing fluctuating EV storage (No. 6)

Expected Start

Priority (2023 - 2024)

RO4. Electric vehicles and RO5. Energy s torage

8. Storage technologies feasibility study for community storage +

6. Harnessing fluctuating EV storage (3 years)

RO6. Advanced t echnologies

12. Urban Renewable Energy Zones +

14. Context-aware network capacity assessment for DER deployment (3 years)

RO8. Microgrids and VPPs

19. Analysis for cost-effective embedded and standalone microgrids +

22. Power electronics dominated power system (3 years)

Mid term 2025

11. Design of reconfigurable self-healing battery packs for central batteries (2 years)

2026 7. EV Trial project (1 year)

2027

9. Assessment of the energy storage capability of closed mines (2 years)

13. Synthetic inertia measurement/estimation for inverter-interfaced distributed generators (1 year)

15. Robust prediction of solar energy generation by DER (2 years)

24. Network and grid impacts of VPP (2 years)

20. Consistent microgrid design and operation framework (1 year)

25. Virtual power plants and microgrids (3 years)

23. Innovative control architecture (1 year)

2028

Long term 2029

10. Green hydrogen powered remote area microgrids (3 years)

16. Automated health assessment of DER in rural regions (2 years)

17. Ransomware Prevention for DER (2 years)

21. Open-source decision-support tool for designing and operating microgrids (2 years)

The outcomes from the research proposed in this roadmap will pave the way to transition the local distribution networks in Australia to host a high percentage of DER while minimising the negative impacts of DER to the power systems. The holistic and inclusive approach of the project structures ensures that the transition to technical solutions occurs concurrently to the necessary regulatory, business and social changes. Thus, the projects will have wide-ranging positive impacts on all relevant sectors during Australia’s fast-paced journey towards a net-zero future.