A new testing platform has been launched to fast-track large scale grid connections. 

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $498,000 in funding to the University of Queensland (UQ) to develop and test a new platform that will help speed up the process of connecting large scale renewable projects to the grid.

Large scale generators are required to negotiate and agree to a set of Generator Performance Standards before connecting to the grid. Currently, compliance with these standards is demonstrated by extensive power system modelling that must then be validated during onsite commissioning. 

This process can be challenging and often causes long delays to connect these renewable power sources to the grid.

UQ’s Project Partner, EPEC Group, a leading technical advisor on grid connection, has found that many large-scale solar and battery projects have experienced such delays, which substantially affect investor confidence and increase costs of new renewable generation projects.

The new platform will test a streamlined approach, which will allow common commissioning issues to be identified and resolved in a custom-designed testing environment, prior to installation on site. 

This approach could become standard practice for renewable generators and help to accelerate and de-risk new generation connecting to the grid.

UQ’s $1.46 million study could help to facilitate faster commissioning of renewable energy projects by allowing them to resolve any issues with the modelling prior to commissioning. 

Faster and lower risk commissioning will result in lower cost renewable energy projects and reduced barriers for hybrid projects.

If successful, UQ and EPEC aim to commercialise the technology and apply the testing platform to future renewable energy projects across the National Electricity Market.