A new Morrison Government investment in technology will make it easier and faster for generation projects to connect to the electricity grid.

The Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), is investing $2.23 million to help the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) develop a cloud-based connections simulation tool.

Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said Australia was deploying renewable energy eight times faster than the global per person average, with more solar and wind capacity per person than any other country outside of Europe.

“Australia is a world leader when it comes to adopting renewables, with a record 7 gigawatts of new renewable capacity added to the grid last year alone,” Minister Taylor said.

“This new technology will make it even easier for new generation projects to apply for and receive approvals by enabling renewable generators and network companies to work out how the new projects will impact the grid.

“They will be able to use the same detailed system simulations as used by AEMO, all while preserving confidential modelling data.

“With world-leading growth in renewables it is crucial to know how renewable energy can work with power networks to keep our system affordable and reliable.

“The connections simulation tool will help reduce the costs and application times for developers, network service providers, consultants and AEMO, and support continued strong investment in renewables.” 

The first prototype of the connections simulation tool will be available to trial by the end of the year.

The ARENA investment is part of a $12.95 million AEMO project, which includes AEMO’s in-house operations simulator, to deliver an Australian Energy Simulation Centre.

Australia installed a record 7.0 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable capacity in 2020. This is 11 per cent higher than the previous record set in 2019 (6.3 GW) and more than the entire renewable capacity installed under the previous Labor government (5.6 GW, December 2007 to September 2013). 

 

Media contacts:

Minister Taylor's office 02 6277 7120