New funding could see smarter grid integration for rooftop solar and batteries.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has allocated $1.7 million to a University of New South Wales (UNSW) initiative aimed at tackling the challenges of integrating consumer energy resources (CER) into the National Energy Market (NEM). 

The $4.3 million Consumer-Energy-Resources Integration, Compliance and Curtailment Assessment and Data Analysis (Project CICCADA) will analyse large datasets from CER, including rooftop solar, household batteries, and electric vehicles.

Australia leads globally in rooftop solar adoption, with installations on approximately 40 per cent of free-standing homes. Household batteries and electric vehicle ownership are also rising sharply. 

The project will study CER operations under varied network conditions to address integration issues while ensuring grid stability and energy quality.

ARENA Acting CEO Chris Faris says CER has a role in the clean energy transition.

“CER is about decentralising energy production by harnessing the power generated by rooftop solar panels, batteries and smart home devices,” he said. 

“These create a more flexible and cleaner energy grid, that helps reduce emissions while improving energy reliability.”

The integration of CER is considered vital for achieving national renewable energy and emissions reduction targets. 

The project aims to provide insights that assist stakeholders such as the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in optimising CER benefits.

CICCADA builds on prior UNSW research, including ARENA-funded Project MATCH, and will focus on developing tools to maximise CER benefits for society while ensuring the grid’s security and efficiency. 

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