With significant investment in renewable energy, Australia’s electrical industry is shifting quicker than anyone could have predicted.
In a statement, the Monash University Energy Institute said the change exceeds the technologies and regulations that have supported the National Energy Market since its inception in 1998.
“We created the Grid Innovation Hub to help solve critical issues facing Australia’s energy grid today, and to help create a fit-for-purpose grid for decades to come,” Monash Grid Innovation Hub Chair Dr Tony Marxsen OAM said.
Dr Marxsen stated that they would report later this year on a suite of technologies that can help strengthen the grid.
“We’re excited to have Power Systems Consultants (PSC) and X-Elio joining the Hub,” said Professor Ariel Liebman, Director of the Monash Energy Institute and host of the Grid Innovation Hub at Monash University.
Liebman added, “They will enable us to bring the best academic, business, and engineering knowledge to the challenges facing Australia’s national grid. They join our research partners across the University.”
The Hub is addressing two critical areas:
Physical stability: the grid is experiencing a massive shift, with fossil fuels being phased out in favour of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Many of these renewable resources are located in poor grid locations in regional areas and are vulnerable to various stability challenges.
Financial/economic stability: the grid will rely on large-scale storage to maintain a reliable supply. The Hub has launched a project to identify the policies required to deliver dependable renewable energy at a low cost while avoiding market concentration.
“We are delighted to be part of Monash’s Grid Innovation Hub – a world-class research-industry collaboration. We hope our input can support the research and development of the Australian energy market sector, and a smooth and productive journey to a carbon-neutral economy. In this participation, X-ELIO reaffirms its commitment to be a part of Australia’s clean energy transition in the years to come,” X-ELIO Country Manager Belinda Fan said.
X-ELIO has constructed over 2.6 GW of renewable energy capacity worldwide, including the 200 MW Blue Grass Solar Farm in Chinchilla, Queensland. They are also building solar farms at Maxwell and Forest Glen, both in New South Wales.
Matthew Robinson, Head of Strategic Service Development with PSC, stated, “The role of energy storage is a big part of the energy transition, and this research will enable us to develop new market designs which will take this valuable element into account. Market systems are one of our main areas of expertise, and we are delighted about the partnership with Monash. This project is a great example of industry collaboration, bringing together other key stakeholders such as AEMO and AEMC.”
