Powerlink Queensland has received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to investigate technical, commercial and regulatory solutions to address system strength challenges.
Our study will look at addressing system strength challenges by exploring the merits of several technical solutions, as well as business and regulatory models to facilitate lower cost solutions and remove commercial barriers. The project will explore several existing technology options for managing system strength and supporting the integration of renewables into the grid. These include installing synchronous condensers, changing inverter settings or strengthening transmission infrastructure.
As a first step in the project, Powerlink commissioned GHD to prepare an initial report on system strength (see below). This report will drive a better understanding on how system strength can impact investment in generation and transmission network assets. Solar farm operators Pacific Hydro and Sun Metals supported the report’s development.
The report is targeted at a broad audience, including readers from non-engineering backgrounds. The goal is to establish a base level of understanding between all stakeholders involved in the power system and serve as a basis for dialogue, and informing the ongoing development of regulatory frameworks.