Preparing for flexible energy demand

CSIRO will lead a new $11 million project designed to drive development of technology to support flexible demand for energy, empowering consumers to have more control over their electricity usage while saving money and easing pressure on the energy grid.

Flexible demand is an alternative to the traditionally rigid energy network infrastructure, offering a way to lighten the load on the grid during busy periods, reduce energy costs and lower peak demand.

However, the flexible demand approach is still nascent and requires new technologies, market processes and ways of engaging with energy users.

The Digital Infrastructure Energy Flexibility (DIEF) pilot project will address these issues, bringing together a consortium of project sponsors responsible for funding, research outcomes, coordinating artificial intelligence competitions and onboarding buildings onto the digital platform.

Members of the NSW consortium who are sponsoring the project include CSIRO, the NSW Government, Amber Electric, DNA Energy, EVSE Australia, Nube iO, Property and Development NSW, RACE for 2030 CRC, UNSW, UOW and Wattwatchers.

CSIRO’s Energy Director, Dr Dietmar Tourbier, said the DIEF project would help improve the viability and uptake of flexible demand, delivering benefits to consumers and industry alike.

“Flexible demand is critical because it ensures grid stability, reduces costs, supports increasing renewable energy integration and enables a more sustainable and efficient energy system,” Tourbier said.

“This project has the potential to create a new ecosystem of technologies and solutions that will give consumers more control over their energy bills and emissions.”

The project was funded with a $3.75 million grant from the NSW Government, under the Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020–2030. The remaining funding (cash and in-kind) was provided by consortium members and in-kind funding from CSIRO.

The digital infrastructure for the project will be provided by CSIRO’s Data Clearing House Platform (DCH), a software platform for owners and operators of existing or new commercial, industrial, government and mixed-use developments to connect with service providers to solve common data-related problems.

Up to 200 smart buildings, selected by the project consortium, will participate in the pilot and be connected to the DCH Platform.

The DCH Platform forms part of CSIRO’s developing Smart Energy Mission, which is focused on building Australia’s next generation of integrated and equitable energy systems.

Property owners participating in the pilot will be able to share data and build innovative software applications for sophisticated management of building carbon emissions. They can also identify opportunities for energy flexibility and productivity improvements resulting in reduced operating costs, energy use and improved comfort and occupant experience.

The data collected during the trial will be used to inform government on the creation of a flexible demand policy and asset register.

CSIRO Chief Research Consultant for Energy Dr Stephen White said the technology had many potential benefits.

“This technology will not only allow people to get data out of their buildings and make it accessible to their service providers, but they will also be able to receive data from external providers such as the electricity market and the Bureau of Meteorology,” White said.

“When people process all this data, they can discover cost trends and plan accordingly.”

Of the 200 buildings to be connected, the Data Clearing House expects to gain access to devices that consume over five megawatts of power from the grid (up to 0.08% of total demand in NSW). The power usage of these devices can be intelligently controlled to match up with periods of high renewable generation.

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