Australia’s network operators seek ‘consistent approach’ to solar and battery grid connection rules

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email
As part of the grid connection plans, four technical guidelines will be developed over the next six months. Image: Ausgrid.

Australia’s ‘peak national body’ representing transmission and distribution organisations in both electricity and gas, Energy Networks Australia (ENA), has pushed for a more consistent approach to grid connections of solar PV and battery storage by issuing a set of guidelines.

The first issuance, ‘Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Grid Connection Guidelines Framework and Principles’, seeks to make grid connections of these alternative technologies both smooth and fair, and while the actions within the guidelines are voluntary, ENA said that all Australian networks have already committed to adopt the requirements.

ENA CEO Andrew Dillon said that as the country transformed into a more decentralised energy mix, consistency would be key, because until now networks have responded to the increasing additions of solar and storage by introducing their own – often different – technical requirements and connection processes.

Dillon said: “This has led to inconsistencies between networks, which has been identified as a major concern by stakeholders in numerous industry reports including the CSIRO/Energy Network Australia Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap. These guidelines are being developed to establish uniformity around voltage, legal frameworks and technical standards to enable fair, easy and efficient grid connection.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

That particular roadmap asserted that distributed energy technologies such as solar and battery-based storage could save Australia AU$101 billion (US$75 billion) by 2050 and completely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of the grid connection plans, four technical guidelines will be developed over the next six months. A review will be held in October and every two years hence. The guidelines are to be developed in collaboration with the Australian Energy Regulator, Australian Energy Market Operator, Clean Energy Council, Energy Consumers Australia and all the nation’s electricity networks.

Australia’s electricity market is undergoing changes across many of its segments as renewable energy costs fall and pressure to modernise the grid increases. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), for example, looks set to introduce five minute settlement into the electricity spot market, while AEMC is also considering whether distribution network companies should be allowed to own behind-the-meter energy storage.

Read Next

October 8, 2025
Some quick snapshots from the presentations and panels at Energy Storage Summit Asia 2025, taking place this week in Manila, Philippines.
October 8, 2025
The NSW Independent Planning Commission has granted planning approval for Potentia Energy’s 500MW Tallawang solar-plus-storage project.
October 7, 2025
Matt Szwec, an energy trading analyst at Fluence, discusses virtual battery toll agreements and how they operate in Australia.
Premium
October 7, 2025
ESN Premium speaks with Fluence’s Matt Grover about the need for sophisticated software solutions to enhance battery trading.
October 3, 2025
EDF Renewables has brought its 300MWh Milagro project online in New Mexico, while Enlight Renewable Energy has secured US$340 million in tax equity financing for its 940MWh Roadrunner project in Arizona.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter