AEMO developing simulation tool to facilitate grid connections for renewable energy

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Large renewable projects like this present a major challenge for Australia’s grid, which is unable to handle half of the capacity of upcoming projects. Image: Octopus

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has invested in a cloud-based resource for developers that will make it easier and faster for renewable energy projects to connect to the grid through a AU$2.23 million investment.

With funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the connection simulation tool will help reduce risks, costs and time to approve the connection of new projects by allowing developers to test how their power system models link to Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).  

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Testing on the simulator will begin this month, with a phased roll out planned for the end of the year.

Australian Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus 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.

“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.” 

Since 2017, AEMO has connected 121 new projects to Australia’s grid but there are still 97GW of proposed projects still in the pipeline, with the NEM only able to accommodate half of this.

“Given the increasing portion of renewables with technically complex control systems, the operations simulator will enhance AEMO’s ability to prepare for and quickly respond to events threatening secure power-system operations,” said AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman.

In July, the newly appointed Westerman said he wanted the country’s grids to be capable of handling 100% renewables by 2025.

The organisation has also released a series of planning and forecasting publications that present five different visions of Australia’s and the NEM’s future.

Read Next

October 1, 2025
Engie Australia's 250MW Goorambat East Solar Farm has registered with AEMO, marking the project’s readiness for the commissioning phase.
September 23, 2025
Australia’s NEM set a new instantaneous renewables share record of 78.6% on 22 September, surpassing the previous day's record of 77.9%.
September 15, 2025
UNSW spin-out company Lab360 Solar has been awarded funding from ARENA to bring its drone-based PV inspection technology to market.
Premium
September 15, 2025
The UK government and solar industry have jointly published a long-anticipated roadmap detailing how to maximise the country’s solar potential. Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK takes a closer look at the details.
September 12, 2025
German trade association BSW-Solar has called the German government for a simplified, standardised and more digitalised grid access for solar PV and energy storage operators.
September 4, 2025
ARENA has launched the second funding round of its AU$1 billion Solar Sunshot programme, making AU$150 million available.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland