The push to decarbonise the Australian grid, combined with the insatiable demand for residential, commercial and industrial solar, means that a large number of distributed energy resources (DERs), connected via inverters will connect to the distribution grid at the low voltage level. The consequence of high penetration of DERs on the electricity network is increased grid instability. So what is the solution? Recent revisions of Australian Standards AS4777 attempt to address the issue with the introduction of new performance standards for inverters, while electricity network operators elect to introduce their own requirements over and above the minimum performance standards set out in AS4777.

Inverter power quality response mode

One solution is to regulate inverter performance and inverter interaction with the electricity grid, using guidelines and framework defined inside Australia Standard AS4777. Inverters are required to provide support to the grid by functioning outside their normal operating window. These operating limits are flexible but ultimately set by the local electricity network operator. In this mode the inverter power output is varied in response to the terminal voltage. In the case of Queensland DNSPs, Essential Energy (NSW), TasNetworks and Power and Water Corporation (NT) the Volt-VAR response […]