Energy Networks Australia has presented SA Power Networks with the 2020 Industry Innovation award for its work on the Advanced Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Grid Integration Trial.

The award recognises the leadership in design and application of the ground-breaking technology supporting Australia’s customer-focused energy transition.

VPPs aggregate large numbers of customer batteries to operate in much the same way as a traditional power station. SA Power Networks worked with Tesla on their South Australian VPP to develop and demonstrate how real-time integration between networks and VPPs can maximise the benefits – economic and environmental – for all customers, VPP operators and network managers in the National Electricity Market (NEM).

The project has shown how higher levels of energy exports to the grid from customer systems can be enabled through flexible, rather than fixed, export limits. It tested the value it can create for VPP operators who can also provide important network support services like frequency control.

When fully developed to up to 50,000 households, the SA VPP’s power output will be able to be doubled compared with traditional approaches to grid integration, increasing its export capacity to 500MW. That’s the same capacity of the now decommissioned Port Augusta Power Station.

This project is believed to be the first to demonstrate this concept in actual operation with the largest VPP actively participating in the Australian energy market, and to seek to measure the real-world costs and benefits of this approach.

Energy Networks Australia chief executive Andrew Dillon says the project demonstrated SA Power Networks’ understanding of the immense change the energy sector was undergoing and the economic and social need to create smarter energy grids: “The VPP Grid Integration Trial is a fine example of energy network innovation facilitating the renewable energy transition while enhancing the safety, reliability and affordability of electricity.

“This is an important project not just for South Australia but for the nation as we work to integrate increasing amounts of distributed energy into the electricity system.

“The learnings from this ambitious project will contribute to the development of smarter grids and better customer outcomes across the country.”

The Consumer Engagement Award and the Industry Contribution Award will be announced later in October and all awards will be recognised formally at Energy Networks Australia’s Annual Dinner and conference next year.