Improved Solar Reliability Benefits Customers and the Network

Wednesday 8 March 2023

Jemena has improved the reliability of solar power on its electricity network by 60 percent from levels seen in 2020. The momentous goal was achieved through an optimisation program aimed at ensuring the network is equipped to host additional solar energy with no impact to the power supply customers rely on each day.

Similar to how supply reliability is measured, solar reliability measures the average amount of time the voltage at a customer’s premises is at a level where it would curtail a solar inverter’s output. When curtailed, the amount of energy customers can export back to the grid is reduced, explains Jemena’s Future Networks and Planning Manager Andy Dickinson.

“To put this into context, our rolling 12-month solar reliability has improved from 150 minutes to 50 minutes (i.e. average minutes per customer having their solar inverter curtailed annually), compared with our overall supply reliability of 45 minutes (i.e. average minutes per customer off-supply annually).

“As solar panels get cheaper and energy prices rise, we expect solar uptake to continue to increase, which will increase the voltage at customer’s premises if we don’t act. So it’s important we have the right solutions in place to ensure our customers can maximise the amount of energy they can export to the grid, and earn money while doing so.

“As solar reliability has improved across our network, we’ve seen a decrease in customer complaints of more than 50 percent related to solar tripping and power quality issues, which is really pleasing,” she said.

Andy said that Jemena’s vision is to connect its customers to a renewable energy future.

“We anticipate that solar panel capacity on our electricity network will double over the next five years and other issues such as grid stability are likely to emerge rapidly. Our focus will be to maintain solar reliability into the future, while also addressing how to best stabilise the grid. We continue to invest in new technologies to help achieve this outcome.”

Jemena’s Future Network Team Leader Tan Bui said the work being done to improve solar reliability will support the transition to a low emissions future and economy by enabling more renewable energy into the grid.

“Work is happening to prepare our network for the energy market of the future, all with the aim of improving the customer experience while lowering the overall cost.

“For example. we are piloting a new scheme using our Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and near real-time smart meter data to control the voltage at zone substations, which will help ensure stable solar generation at our customers’ homes and businesses.

“In addition, learnings from the EV Grid trial, which is enabling customers to trial dynamically charging their electric vehicle, will also shape our approach to solar and battery energy management and help us manage grid stability overall.

“These are just some of the ways we’re reimagining our electricity network for the future,” Tan concluded.