Flexible Exports trial for clustered small embedded generation systems
More customers living in retirement villages, aged care, community and strata titled properties will soon have the opportunity to feed additional energy into the grid as SA Power Networks trials Flexible Exports for clustered small embedded generation (SEG) systems.
Flexible Exports trial for clustered small embedded generation systems
Building on the success we have seen with the Flexible Exports trial for small embedded generators (SEG), we are working to introduce a Flexible Exports trial for SEG applications that are clustered behind a common connection point in mid-2023.
What’s the Cluster Rule for Generators?
The ‘Cluster Rule’ is the process of aggregating individual generation units at a site as part of the application process, so we can determine the total network and customer impact. In this context, a site refers to a collection of dwellings behind a common network connection point. These typically occur within privately owned distribution networks, such as is the case in many retirement villages, aged care, community and strata titled properties. Read more about the cluster rule here and how it is applied under different scenarios.
Why are we trialling Flexible Exports for Clustered SEG?
When a SEG application is lodged for a clustered site where the total installed capacity exceeds 30kVA, the total site generation is assessed under the Medium Embedded Generation (MEG) application process. This is necessary because individual small generators aggregated at a site have the same potential impact as a single large generator.
We have been hearing from industry that undergoing a MEG assessment for a case like this is a high barrier to entry for a residential SEG application. In response, we have investigated how Flexible Export connections could manage the network impacts, mitigate the need for the upfront assessment and enable greater ability to export overall. To that end, we are proposing to launch a Flexible Exports trial for clustered SEG applications in mid-2023.
What’s the benefit of Flexible Exports?
Flexible Exports for clustered SEG arrangements will:
- Simplify the connections process and avoid the $4,500 assessment fee.
- Enable greater exports which means more low-cost, renewable energy is available in South Australia.
- Support continued DER uptake, contributing to the growth of the solar industry.
Who will be eligible for Clustered SEG Flexible Exports trial?
The trial offer is available to new and upgrading SEG systems (≤30kVA) in SEG clusters. To be eligible:
- Total generation behind the connection point (including the proposed system) must exceed 30kVA.
- The customer must have a unique, market-facing National Meter Identifier (NMI).
- The customer must install a Flexible Exports compatible inverter.
- The customer must obtain all relevant approvals and consents from appropriate authority such as strata corporation to install solar at these sites prior to submitting the application.
Eligible customers will automatically be provided the option to participate when submitting an application through SmartApply.
Refer to examples of SEG clustered arrangements that are eligible for the trial:
Property types eligible for the trial
- Residential dwellings, each connected behind individual NMIs. Examples include properties on community title and strata title arrangements.
Blue is an existing system, green is a new proposal. As the connection point will breach 30kVA of generation, Flexible Exports become available.
- Residential dwellings with no common interest, each connected behind individual NMIs. Examples include properties such as retirement villages and aged-care facilities.
As the connection point exceeds 30kVA of generation, Flexible Exports is available.
Property types not eligible for the trial
- Residential dwellings connected behind one common NMI are not eligible for the trial.
Flexible Exports not available as site has one common NMI
How can I find out more information?
Once we know more details, we will update the Flexible Exports content on our website, and will let you know what’s happening through our industry communication including The Fuse and Notice to Industry. Subscribe to our industry updates.
Contact the New Energy Services team
- Phone: 13 12 61 (select 2) during the office hours (Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm)
- Email newenergyservices@sapowernetworks.com.au