DER integration and maintaining power system security

The following reports outline analysis on DER integration and maintaining power system security while levels of DER grow:

• Chapter 6 of the 2021 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with periods of high DER penetration for the mainland NEM. Appendices A2 and A5 provide minimum demand assessments for Queensland and Victoria regions. The 2021 ESOO highlights the imminent nature of these challenges, outlines adaptations to manage reducing minimum demand and implications if no actions are taken.
• Chapter 8 of the 2020 South Australian Electricity Report highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with the high level of renewable energy resources in South Australia. The chapter includes a summary of DER integration issues, including unintended disconnection of distributed PV in disturbances, minimum demand thresholds, impacts of DER on under frequency load shedding, and the requirement for emergency PV curtailment capability.
• Chapter 7 of the 2020 Electricity Statement of Opportunities discusses the challenges arising across the NEM relating to managing voltage, system strength and inertia in low load conditions. It highlights opportunities for managing the power system during low demand periods including active DER management, load shifting, using frequency control services and transmission voltage control services, and actions to take to mitigate risk including introducing emergency back stop mechanisms and improving DER performance.
• Quantifying the Minimum operational demand threshold in South Australia, investigating operational challenges that could emerge as South Australia moves to lower levels of operational demand due to increasing growth in distributed PV
• Contributions to the Renewable Integration Study (RIS) Appendix A, with the development of case studies on DER integration challenges in South Australia.

This work has been conducted in partnership with SA Power Networks, ElectraNet, and the South Australian Government.