DER Standards and connections
AEMO’s Standards and Connections workstream aims to work within industry led programs to support the uplift of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and associated device level capabilities. In doing so we can better support power system security and provide Australian energy consumers with the opportunity to unlock the full value of their investment and harness the benefits from integrating DER into the electricity grid.
The work in this space is focussed on the basic minimum levels of capability required to enable consumers to engage in new markets and for DER to integrate into the power system. This basic functionality can be further built upon and work alongside innovative and more advanced capabilities designed by vendors or Virtual Power Plant operators to deliver even better outcomes for consumers.
Benefits of the Standards and Connections Workstream
Optimal DER technical performance means the devices have state-of-the-art capabilities that allow them to stay connected during disturbances, provide autonomous frequency and voltage response, and offer the necessary interoperability and cyber protections to deliver a two-sided marketplace for consumers.
Key collaboration partners of this workstream include:
- Distributed Network Service Providers (DNSPs)
- Standards Australia and associated committee members
- Consumer advocacy groups
- Energy retailers
- Data providers
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
- Clean Energy Council
- Governments (Federal, State and Territory)
- Universities and cyber research agencies
- Regulators (Australian Energy Regulator and Clean Energy Regulator)
Australian energy consumers will benefit from these new and consistent minimum Standards through a sustained secure and reliable energy supply in a high-DER energy environment. These activities also benefit consumers as they mitigate additional costs required to expand the grid with high DER penetration and will embed functionality in DER that allows consumers to better manage their energy costs through a two-sided energy marketplace currently under development in the Energy Security Board’s P2025 program.