The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $336,000 in funding to GridWise Energy Solutions (GridWise) for its ‘Dynamic Model Validation’ project.
The $800,000 project will create a standardised, online assessment platform (DMV Tool) for project developers to self-validate their renewable energy generator models prior to submission to Network Service Providers (NSPs) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
GridWise will develop the software in collaboration with Coleman Laboratories, and transmission networks AusNet and Transgrid, to streamline the application process allowing new renewable energy generation such as solar and wind to enter the grid.
Standardised self-validation will help to fast track the due diligence process conducted by NSPs and AEMO during connection applications and will also aim to reduce additional work associated with model validation, freeing up engineers to focus on more of the complex tasks.
Currently, NSPs and AEMO complete a large number of checks on generator models to ensure they are of sufficient quality to progress with power system modelling. The checks are resource intensive, and this due diligence is often duplicated by multiple parties, delaying the process.
The DMV Tool will be updated regularly to align with any evolution to the assessment approach that is agreed upon by stakeholders.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the DMV Tool could become another asset in helping Australia to fast track the renewable energy transition.
“We are in a critical decade for Australia’s energy transition, and we know the National Electricity Market needs to add significantly more renewable generation as soon as possible.”
“GridWise’s DMV Tool can help to streamline the grid connection process by reducing rework and avoiding duplication of processes. We need to make it easier for network service providers to add solar and wind to the grid, while also not compromising performance standards.”
“We’re excited to see what comes out of this trial and we will work with GridWise on the next steps of its implementation.”
The DMV Tool is currently being trialled, with the project aiming for completion in March 2025.
Transgrid Executive General Manager of Network Marie Jordan said: “NSW is currently executing one of the world’s most ambitious and rapid clean energy transitions and Transgrid is committed to doing everything possible to bring cleaner and cheaper energy to consumers sooner, while helping to achieve Australia’s emissions reduction targets.”
“We welcome opportunities and initiatives to streamline the connection process to bring more renewable energy into the grid, while ensuring system security, reliability and operability is maintained.”
“The proposed DMV tool enables self-validation of renewable project models, thereby improving the quality of the submissions in the connection process. We look forward to working with ARENA and GridWise throughout the development and implementation of this project.”