Monash University engineering researchers will utilise Australian Government funding to develop a tool for predicting and managing energy grid instability in Australia.
The tool’s implementation, which is suited for use by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Transmission Network Service Providers (TNSPs), is expected to increase the connectivity of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind-generated electricity to the national grid.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) awarded half a million dollars in funding for Monash engineering research as part of a $1.3 million initiative to explore the nature and origin of periodic changes in the national energy grid.
The research will be supported by the Monash Grid Innovation Hub, which Associate Professor Behrooz Bahrani of the Monash Faculty of Engineering chairs.
Associate Professor Bahrani said the transition to renewable energy requires a significant improvement in the stability and resilience of the national energy grid.
“With the support of ARENA, this groundbreaking project aims to address current energy flow challenges and pave the way for a robust, reliable and renewable future for our energy infrastructure,” Associate Professor Bahrani stated.
Grid instability in regions of Victoria and New South Wales prompted AEMO to severely reduce the contribution of five solar energy farms for eight months during 2019-2020 while it investigated and addressed the issues.
The new project aims to boost renewable energy generation growth, optimise wind and solar production, and encourage investment in additional renewable sources by reducing instability.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said these concerns must be handled to avoid long-term power supply issues.
“To manage the risk of instability in an increasingly inverter-based grid, it is necessary to build reliable and efficient tools that can identify root causes early,” Miller stated.
According to him, these tools should also be useful for exploring the suitability of solutions for a grid that is becoming increasingly dominated by renewable energy.
“The researchers at Monash are working on the best solutions to improve stability and we’re confident the outcomes will help ramp up new renewable energy generation and storage projects,” he added.
ARENA previously funded Monash University to examine and research designs that enhance more reliable operation in weak grid conditions.
“Monash is committed to doing all we can to facilitate the seamless integration of renewables into our grid, and we’re optimistic that this collaboration will again come up with innovative solutions,” Associate Professor Bahrani said.
