AusNet has secured Federal Government funding under the Albanese Government's $30 million Grid Enhancing Technologies (GET) Program to trial a breakthrough technology that could unlock more capacity from Victoria's existing electricity network and support Australia's clean energy transition.
The funding will support AusNet's Network Exchanger (NEx) project, one of 14 innovative projects recently announced, which will strengthen Australia's electricity grid, improve network performance and help households and businesses get more value from rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles.
In addition to leading the NEx project, AusNet is supporting three other successful GET recipients, EcoJoule and JET Charge the FlexBat project, in trials focused on improving power quality and enabling electric vehicles to play a greater role in supporting the electricity system.
AusNet Executive General Manager Distribution, Andrew Linnie, said the funding recognises the critical role innovation will play in delivering Australia's energy future.
"Victoria's energy system is changing rapidly as more customers install rooftop solar, adopt electric vehicles and electrify their homes and businesses.”
"These projects will put AusNet at the forefront of testing technologies that boost network capacity, improve reliability and prepare the grid for increasing electrification and customer-owned energy resources.”
"The funding will also help unlock more capacity from existing infrastructure, improve network performance and enable more renewable energy to flow through the grid,” said Mr Linnie.
AusNet's flagship Network Exchanger (NEx) project is a first for an Australian distribution network service provider and is considered one of the most innovative projects funded through the program.
“This technology has the potential to improve voltage regulation, phase balancing and power quality while increasing the usable capacity of existing network assets. Unlike traditional solutions that address a single issue, NEx could solve multiple network challenges simultaneously, helping accommodate growing demand while potentially deferring costly network upgrades, therefore saving customers on their bills,” said Mr Linnie.
The EcoJoule EcoVAR V2 project will trial advanced low-voltage technology designed to improve power quality and increase solar hosting capacity in areas with high rooftop solar penetration.
Meanwhile, the JET Charge Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) project will explore how electric vehicles can act as flexible energy resources, allowing EVs to support the grid during periods of peak demand and creating new opportunities for customers to participate in the energy market.
AusNet is also supporting RMIT University's successful FlexBat project, which will investigate how coordinated battery orchestration can support the grid, integrate more distributed energy resources and improve network utilisation. AusNet will provide engineering expertise, network data and advisory support throughout the project.
“These projects are about building a smarter, more flexible network that can support the energy choices customers are making today and into the future.”
"By testing technologies that improve network utilisation, support more renewable energy and enable greater customer participation, we're helping deliver a cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy system for Victorians,” said Mr Linnie.