Tackling bottlenecks in the grid

A new Australian research project will focus on a persistent infrastructure problem: that of bottlenecks in the electricity grid.

Bottlenecks occur when electricity flow is constrained in one part of the network, even though capacity exists elsewhere. Together with industry and university colleagues, researchers from the University of Wollongong (UOW) are aiming to develop a system that finds spare capacity within the grid and directs electricity towards it.

The project has been awarded $1.55 million from the Australian Government’s Grid Enhancing Technologies Grant Program for the development of an intelligent decision-support system that would help deliver more renewable energy to consumers. It is one of 14 projects supported through the $30 million program to strengthen the nation’s electricity grid.

The system will use Soft Open Points — smart devices that flexibly redirect power to where it is needed — and Dynamic Limits, which safely adjust capacity based on actual network conditions. If successful, it should give network operators a broader view of the grid, forecast emerging constraints, and identify safe options for redirecting electricity flows around network bottlenecks to make better use of existing capacity.

“In Australia’s power system, one part of a network can be under pressure while unused capacity exists nearby,” said Distinguished Professor Kashem Muttaqi, Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Grids Training Centre at UOW.

“We need better ways to redirect energy flows using existing infrastructure. Our aim is to give network operators greater capability to identify and make use of available network capacity.

“Every recommendation will be validated before implementation, allowing greater network capacity while maintaining the safety and reliability of the power system,” he added.

Muttaqi will work with fellow UOW researchers Professor Danny Sutanto, Associate Professor Ashish Agalgaonkar and Associate Professor Rabiul Islam, alongside UNSW Sydney and industry partners BES (Aust), Essential Energy, Ingeteam Australia and Sungrow Australia Group.

BES (Aust) will be in charge of project delivery and system integration, while UOW will provide technical leadership in network modelling, optimisation, digital twin development, laboratory validation and field testing.

The team will also develop a repeatable deployment pathway to support adoption across Australian electricity networks and help accelerate Australia’s transition to net zero by 2050.

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