Challenges and Mitigation Measures in Power Systems with High Share of Renewables—The Australian Experience

Abstract

Australia is one of the leading countries in energy transition, and its largest power system is intended to securely operate with up to 75% of variable renewable generation by 2025. High-inertia synchronous condensers, battery energy storage systems, and grid-forming converters are some of the technologies supporting this transformation while facilitating the secure operation of the grid. Synchronous condensers have enabled 2500 MW of solar and wind generation in the state of South Australia, reaching minimum operational demands of ≈100 MW. Grid-scale battery energy storage systems have demonstrated not only market benefits by cutting costs to consumers but also essential grid services during contingencies. Fast frequency response, synthetic inertia, and high fault currents are some of the grid-supporting capabilities provided by new developments that strengthen the grid while facilitating the integration of new renewable energy hubs. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview, based on the Australian experience, of how power systems are overcoming expected challenges while continuing to integrate secure, low cost, and clean energy.

1. Introduction

Investment in large-scale renewable generation has accounted more than 60% of new global power generation in the last couple of years [1]. Multiple policy objectives, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cost reduction trends, are expected to drive large-scale renewable generation investments to continue to grow faster than other energy generation technologies [2]. However, renewable energy zones (REZs), large-scale geographic areas with high-quality renewable energy resources, are generally situated in remote areas. These locations usually lack nearby synchronous generation and strong transmission connections, which, when combined, result in areas with low fault current and low system strength levels. As a result, the integration of REZ generation projects is limited by existing/planned grid infrastructure, in addition, to new operational challenges.

Since many of REZ projects connect via power electronics converters, their continuous connection further weakens the area. This results in a series of additional challenges if no appropriate measures are taken. Traditional stability (rotor angle, frequency, and voltage), resonance and converter-driven stability, power system protection and coordination, and black-start are some of the technical challenges faced by modern power systems [3,4].

Reinforcing and upgrading the grid is an alternative to overcome with these issues while strengthening the area. However, planning, approving, and building a transmission project to support the integration of new REZs may take several more years when compared with the development of a solar or wind power plant [5]. As a result, and without considering joint network planning, other alternatives are needed to host and support these projects and the network to which they connect. Some grid upgrades include flexible ac transmission systems (FACTS), synchronous condensers (SynCons) [6], battery energy storage systems (BESSs) [7], or a combination of them [8].

The Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) is one of the world’s leading power systems for both large-scale and distributed IBR integration [9,10]. As of November 2021, the NEM presents more than 15 GW of installed capacity between large-scale solar PV and wind, representing near 25% of the total generation capacity [11]. Furthermore, the NEM has more than 10 GW of distributed solar (as at May 2020) [12]. The amount of instantaneous generation from these variable energy resources that can operate on the NEM at any time depends on system conditions (e.g., network congestion, system curtailment, and self-curtails) [13]. In particular, system curtailment limits renewables to preserve the security of NEM by managing frequency and maintaining system strength. Some of the actions that can result in managing power system requirements include the utilization of a range of flexible devices such as high-inertia SynCons and BESSs. Targeted actions together with suitable investments in infrastructure can allow the NEM to operate securely with up to 75% of variable renewable generation by 2025 and near 90% by 2035 [14].

Motivated by the above discussion, this work aims to summarize existing and most common challenges and mitigation measures in modern power systems with a high share of renewable energy. A comprehensive overview, based on the Australian experience, is provided to illustrate how power systems can overcome expected challenges while continuing to integrate secure, low-cost, and clean energy.

The rest of the manuscript is organized as follows. Section 2 provides a summary of challenges in actual power systems and their mitigation measures. Issues observed in Australia are also included in the Section. Trending technologies and how Australia is facilitating the integration of IBRs are presented in Section 3, while their impact in the system is discussed in Section 4. Finally, Section 5 concludes the paper.

2. Challenges in Power Systems with High Share of Renewable Generation

The decrease in short-circuit ratio (SCR) and system strength may result in several undesired operations of inverter-based resources (IBRs) and/or adverse power system conditions that require new mitigation measures. This Section first provides a definition of SCR and system strength. Later, challenges and solutions in power systems with large participation of renewable energy are described to finally provide some of the challenges faced in Australia.

2.1. Definition of Short-Circuit Ratio and System Strength

SCR is a metric that describes the voltage stiffness of the grid. It is used to characterize grid strength and screen for system stability risks close to (new) power electronics converters such as in IBRs and non-synchronous generation power plants [15]. Conventionally, SCR is defined as the ratio of the short-circuit MVA capacity (${\mathrm{SCC}}_{\mathrm{MVA}}$) at the bus to which the new generation source will connect to the MW rating of the new source ($P_{\mathrm{MW}}$).

$$\mathrm{SCR}=\frac{{\mathrm{SCC}}_{\mathrm{MVA}}}{P_{\mathrm{MW}}}.$$

(1)

Even though SCR limits are not prescriptive and they need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, a SCR < 5 is considered low, and the system is considered weak [16].

In order to better estimate system strength in weak systems with multi-infeed and high penetration of IBRs, other system strength index methods have been proposed. GE’s composite short-circuit ratio (CSCR) and ERCOT’s weighted short-circuit ratio (WSCR) take into account the effects of all electrically close converters. For GE’s CSCR, the total rating of all local and close converters is included [17]. Additionally, the calculation of SCC considers a three-phase fault under low load conditions and no contribution from converters. ERCOT’s WSCR, on the other hand, assumes that all converters are connected to a virtual point of common coupling [18]. Equations (2) and (3) show the calculation method for CSCR and WSCR, respectively:

$$\mathrm{CSCR}=\frac{{\mathrm{SCC}}_{\mathrm{MVA}}}{{\displaystyle \sum _i^N}{P}_{\mathrm{MW}i}},$$

(2)

$$\mathrm{WSCR}=\frac{{\displaystyle \sum _i^N}{\mathrm{SCC}}_{\mathrm{MVA}i}{P}_{\mathrm{MW}i}}{{\left({\displaystyle \sum _i^N}{P}_{\mathrm{MW}i}\right)}^2},$$

(3)

where N is the number of IBRs and non-synchronous plants fully interacting with each other and i is their index.

2.2. Technical Challenges

There is a variety of technical challenges when integrating high amounts of IBRs to a power system. Different dynamic behavior of IBRs when compared to synchronous generators results in new stability issues [3]. Furthermore, traditional IBR technologies do not provide essential grid services when compared to conventional synchronous machines [4]. These challenges further impact the secure and reliable operation of weak systems. Some of the most common challenges can be categorized as follows.

2.2.1. Traditional Stability

Traditional rotor angle, frequency, and voltage power system stability are affected by an increase in IBRs. As synchronous generators are displaced by IBRs, the total inertia of the system is reduced, which impacts the rotor angle stability and the electromechanical modes of the system [19]. The reduction in system inertia also results in faster frequency excursions, increasing the likelihood of instability as IBRs do not inherently resist changes in frequency [20]. Similarly, voltage disturbances can result in disconnection of IBRs depending upon ride-through capabilities, further aggravating voltage instability.

2.2.2. Resonance and Converter-Driven Stability

Two new stability classes have been introduced to take into account power electronic dynamics [3]. Resonance stability comprises subsynchronous resonance (SSR) associated either to electromechanical (torsional) or electrical resonance. The latter one, never observed in power systems with conventional synchronous generation, is attributed to the induction generation effect. This phenomenon has been observed as a result of the interaction of variable speed induction generators (e.g., DFIG) used in wind-turbine IBRs and series compensation. These SSRs, sometimes referred as subsynchronous control interaction [21], result in large current and voltage oscillations affecting the operation of grids and their components.

Converter-driven stability is related to the cross coupling of IBR controls with electromechanical dynamics of machines and electromagnetic transients of the network. This coupling may result in unstable oscillations over a wide frequency range [22]. Low-frequency (<10–20 Hz) and high-frequency phenomena (20–300 Hz/>300 Hz) are classified as slow-interaction and fast-interaction converter-driven stability, respectively.

2.2.3. Power System Protection and Coordination

Fully interfaced IBRs can provide short-circuit current, if programmed to do so, limited to inverter rating [23]. This current, ranging from 0 to 1.2–1.5 p.u., is low compared to synchronous generators contribution during faults (∼6 p.u.) [24]. The integration of IBRs also changes the impedance characteristics of the grid, affecting traditional distance relays [25]. As a result, protective relays using fault currents to detect disturbances may lose the ability to sense it; thus, this can affect their reliability, selectivity, and speed of operation.

2.2.4. Black-Start Capability

The ability to restore the power system from an outage is considered as an essential reliability service [4]. This service is provided by black-start units that can energize themselves (e.g., hydroelectric facilities, diesel generators, and small gas turbines) and scale up its power to work as a power plant. These units need to be able to emulate a voltage source and provide adequate power and reactive power to energize motors, transformers, and lines, components that present high inrush currents [24]. Most traditional IBRs require external grid power and/or grid references to start; thus, they cannot create a reference frequency for the grid during a black start. Furthermore, IBRs with an intermittent energy resource depend on its availability to provide power, imposing an additional challenge.

2.3. Mitigation Measures

Several mitigation measures can be considered to tackle the aforementioned challenges. These solutions, either at a power system level (ac or dc side of the IBR) or at control level, are grouped as follows.

2.3.1. Introduction of Operational Constraints

In order to ensure that the system is operated within secure limits (e.g., thermal, voltage, and transient), network constraints are usually placed. As IBRs displace synchronous generation reducing inertia and system strength, thus affecting stability, additional constraints may be placed in weak areas of the system. In these areas, transmission system operators (TSOs) can limit the total power output of the plant or the operational number of IBRs [26]. Additionally, TSOs can enforce inertia limits by maintaining a minimum number of synchronous generators always connected [20]. Even though operational measures help in mitigating the impact of IBRs in the system, they are considered as last resort options due to their temporary time span and considerable economic consequences.

2.3.2. Transmission Upgrades

This approach allows accommodating IBRs by using other resources in the power system. For instance, a weak system is made more robust and meshed by installing additional transmission lines and/or transformers, increasing its fault current, and, thus, its SCR and strength [17]. Additionally, upgrades that can work as enablers of IBRs are synchronous condensers (SynCons) that can provide fault current, mechanical inertia, and voltage control, helping with the stability of the system and power system protection and coordination [24]. FACTS devices can also provide dynamic support and voltage control to the grid when connected locally in a highly penetrated IBR area. Emerging alternatives, based on battery energy storage systems (BESSs), are becoming economical viable by complementing generation and operation of IBRs from variable resources [23].

2.3.3. Special Protection Schemes

For faults in the power system, ac side, IBRs can receive transfer-trip signals from the utility and disconnect based on a special protection and control scheme [27]. Differential and rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) protection functions, which are not dependent on high-fault current levels, can be implemented to detect faults and work under high levels of IBRs.

2.3.4. Inverter Control

The high-speed switching of power semiconductors inside IBR systems makes them capable of giving rapid response to external grid disturbances [20]. As a result, high-level control functions can be implemented and tuned accordingly, providing required services to the grid. The majority of commissioned IBRs, however, operates in a grid-following (GFL) mode. GFL IBRs are passively synchronized with the grid using phase-locked loops (PLLs) and can realize flexible control of active and reactive current outputs as the interface of renewables. PLLs can play a major role in the power system stability by, for example, damping low-frequency and subsynchronous oscillations [28,29,30]. However, inappropriate structure or untuned parameters of PLLs expose IBRs to the risk of SSR, especially when connected to weak grids [31]. Moreover, PLLs make these IBRs susceptible to voltage/frequency disturbances. As a result, IBRs cannot ensure a controlled and stable output and may even be forced to disconnect in the case of synchronization failure.

Alternatively, grid-forming (GFM) mode is an emerging technique for IBRs, which allows them to actively participate in grid regulation [32]. GFM IBRs can provide services of voltage management, short-circuit current contribution along with system recovery and restoration. These functions are crucial for enhancing system strength in the context of reduction in fault current levels across a network after the retirement of traditional-based synchronous generators [33]. Other functionalities include rapid frequency response, inertia support, as well as damping of oscillations when GFM IBRs are undergoing challenging grid conditions. The integration of GFM IBRs can help mitigate the adverse impact related to GFL IBRs integration and, therefore, increase the hosting capacity of renewables, particularly in remote locations. However, these functionalities are subject to the available energy buffer and the overcurrent capability of IBRs. The coordination of control objective and physical constraint in the practical application of GFM IBRs still requires further investigation [34].

Table 1. Examples of real technical challenges and their mitigation measure(s) in power systems with high share of renewable generation.

Year	Category	Technical Challenge(s)	Renewable Resource	Mitigation Measure(s)	Further Recommendations	Refs.
-	Traditional stability	Integration of large-scale IBRs. Decrease in inertia and system strength	Wind, solar PV	Generation and transmission integrated planning allowing hosting more IBRs	System upgrades (e.g., synchronous condensers, FACTS, and grid-forming BESSs)	[14,35,36]
2004	Traditional stability	Sudden disconnections and no contribution to power system stability	Wind, solar PV	Grid connection requirements (e.g., fault-ride through)	-	[37,38]
2009	Resonance stability	Current and voltage subharmonic oscillations of ≈20 Hz. Interaction between type-III wind farm and series compensated line after an unplanned outage in the ERCOT system, Texas, US	Type-III (DFIG) wind farm	(Manually) bypass series compensation	Perform early EMT screening studies of new connections near to series compensated lines	[39]
-	Traditional stability	Poorly damped and undamped voltage oscillations after line disconnection in the ERCOT system, Texas, US	Wind	Constrain power output and improve system strength	Tuning of voltage controller of wind power plant	[40]
2012	Resonance stability	Current oscillations of 6–8 Hz. Interaction between type-III wind farm and series compensated lines in Hebei Province, China. Event has been observed several times	Type-III (DFIG) wind farm	(Manually) bypass series compensation and trip of wind turbine units	Adjustment of rotor-side converter control	[41]
2014	Converter-driven stability	Power oscillations of 20–40 Hz. Interaction between type-IV wind farm and weak ac grid in Xinjiang, China	Type-IV (PMSG) wind farm	Operational and trip of wind turbine units	Parameter optimization of converter controller; supplementary damping control loop; increase in SCR; system upgrades (e.g., FACTS and SVCs)	[42]
2016	Traditional stability	Separation and blackout of a low-inertia and low-strength system with high renewable penetration after transmission line faults, South Australia, Australia	Wind	Minimum synchronous generation requirements, changes to wind farm protection settings, and restrictions to interconnectors	Minimum fault level requirements	[26,43]
2016	Traditional stability	≈1200 MW interruption of solar PV as a response to a fault in the WECC system, California, US. Erroneous frequency detection by PLLs causing instantaneous inverter trip. Momentary cessation of current injection for over-voltage and under-voltages; slow ramp rate for voltage restoration	Solar PV	Adjustment of controller parameters to ride through transients and restore output faster	In-depth analysis and widely communication of findings and recommendations to the industry	[44]
2017	Traditional stability	≈900 MW interruption of solar PV as a response to a fault in the WECC system, California, US. Momentary cessation of current injection for over-voltage and under-voltages; slow ramp rate for voltage restoration; various interpretations for voltage ride-through curve; among others	Solar PV	Adjustment of controller parameters; communication alerts to the industry to ensure understanding of protective philosophies; among others	Improvement of IBR modeling and continue analyzing IBR performance	[45]
2019	Converter-driven stability	Harmonics of 126 Hz. Interaction between type-IV wind farm and weak ac grid in Guangxi Region, China	Type-IV (PMSG) wind farm	Constrain power output	Adjustment of voltage controller parameters	[46]

BESS: battery energy storage system; DFIG: doubly fed induction generator; ERCOT: Electric Reliability Council of Texas; FACTS: flexible ac transmission systems; IBR: inverter-based resource; PLL: phase-locked loop; PMSG: permanent magnet synchronous generator; PV: photovoltaic; SCR: short-circuit ratio; SVC: static VAr compensator; WECC: Western Electricity Coordinating Council.

provides a comprehensive summary of actual technical challenges and the actions taken to enhance the stability and reliability of power systems with high share of renewable generation.

2.4. Issues Observed in Australia

The large integration of IBRs in the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) has resulted in an overall decrease in system strength and inertia. During normal conditions the system has experienced poor voltage regulation and an increased risk of voltage instability. For instance, during a planned outage of a transmission line, sustained voltage oscillations of 7 Hz and 5% peak-to-peak, as shown in Figure 1, were observed at a radially connected IBR [47]. The IBR is located at the end of a long transmission line that connects to the West Murray area of the NEM. The area contains limited system strength, and disconnections of transmission lines would reduce it even more. Undamped oscillations were also observed during additional tests when trying to identify the source of oscillations. It was concluded that constraining the number of online inverters reduces or even removes oscillations.

In early 2018, a solar plant was being connected to a weak part of the Queensland network. The energization of the transformer was identified as a potential issue as the short-circuit level at the point of connection was only 1.8 times the rating of the transformer. The energization resulted in a resonance overvoltage that lasted longer than usual decay time leading to feeders tripping on multiple occasions [47].

Another operational issue was observed on 18 March 2019 in the Tasmanian network. In this case, the grid experienced a large voltage variation due to the switching of a reactive plant [47]. During this event one of the 220-kV buses increased its voltage from 1.01 to 1.08 p.u. within 40 s. The weakness of the network is attributed to the decommission of synchronous generators and the reduced fault level in the system.

These three cases demonstrate undesired power system behavior in weak areas of the NEM. The low system strength and low system inertia of the areas further exhibit the challenges faced in modern power systems with large integration of IBRs. The introduction of operational constraints and limitations partially solved some of the technical issues in the short term. In the medium to long term, however, new solutions need to be placed and used. The random and uncertain characteristics of variable renewable energy sources have also increased the need for flexible, fast, and dispatchable sources to cope with surpluses or deficits of energy. Consequently, the power system needs to adapt to ensure that the necessary services are available to accommodate different technologies while supporting the secure operation of the gird. The following Section provides some of the trending technologies that are currently being considered in Australia.

3. Trending Technologies in Australia

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Australian NEM. Furthermore, AEMO delivers an integrated planning of the grid that helps to support efficient investments and the development of new renewable energy hubs. Even though projects such as EnergyConnect, a new interconnector between New South Wales and South Australia, unlocks additional renewable generation resources and enhances the security of supply [48], synchronous condensers and battery energy storage systems are offering time-efficient and cost-effective solutions. This Section explores these technologies while listing some of the main projects including them.

3.1. Synchronous Condensers

In its basic definition, a synchronous condenser (SynCon) is a large rotating motor that does not have a driven load connected. The field of a SynCon is controlled by voltage regulators that allows providing reactive power support to the grid. Furthermore, the kinetic energy stored in the inertia system allows enhancing the transient stability of neighboring synchronous generators and can stabilize power systems [49].

As power system evolved, SynCons were phased out due to the increase in power electronics devices controlling the grid [50]. Static VAr compensators (SVCs) and static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs) were the preferable options as they provide fast-acting reactive power compensation. However, the large integration of IBR has weakened power systems, requiring new options that can provide both voltage and inertia support. As a result, SynCons have regained interest and are considered as an option to support the operation of modern power systems.

Figure 2 illustrates the main components of a high-inertia SynCon unit. During its energization, a motor is used to bring the SynCon up to the power system synchronous speed. An excitation system is used to start regulating voltage and power factor of the SynCon. The connection to the grid is performed by closing the breaker to the network. After synchronization, the motor is deenergized and runs idle, the flywheel attached to the SynCon unit provides additional inertia to the grid.

In Australia, SynCons are installed to remediate the network impact of new IBR connections and the retirement of traditional power plants (mainly coal) [14]. SynCons with flywheels are seen as options that can further enable the energy transition while providing high and instantaneous inertia support, short-circuit currents, and reactive power compensation. For instance, two synchronous condensers have been installed as an integral part of the Darlington Point Solar Farm in the state of New South Wales [51]. Similarly, Musselroe and Kiamal SynCon units locally improve system strength while remediating the network impact of an IBR connection in Tasmania and Victoria, respectively. The installation of these small/medium units is directly linked to new connections; thus, their planning and execution is project-based.

Larger SynCon units, connected to higher voltages in the transmission system, are installed or planned to overcome system strength shortfalls in larger regional areas. SynCon units at Davenport and Robertstown in South Australia were installed to deliver adequate system strength and system inertia. Armidale, Surat Basin, and Thomastown, among others, SynCon projects are intended to meet system strength requirements at regional levels of the Australian NEM. A list of major SynCons under operation in Australia is shown in

Table 2. Operational synchronous condensers in Australia [52,53].

Project	Rating	Year
Musselroe, TAS	2 × 14 MVA	2013
Kiamal, VIC	1 × 190 MVA	2019
Darlington Point, NSW	2 × 42.5 MVA	2020
Davenport, SA	2 × 575 MVA	2021
Robertstown, SA	2 × 575 MVA	2021

[52,53].

Table 3. Indicative synchronous condensers projects in Australia [48,52,54,55].

Project	Characteristics	Year
Beryl Area, NSW	-	2023
EnergyConnect, interconnector SA-NSW	4 × 120 MVA	2024–2025
Adelaide Metropolitan Region, SA	-	2024–2028
Newcastle, NSW	1850/4280 MVA	2032/2036
Sydney West, NSW	1320/4060 MVA	2032/2036
Armidale, NSW	360 MVA	2036
Wellington, NSW	260 MVA	2036
Surat Basin North West Area, QLD	-	-
Tailem Bend, SA	-	-
Hazelwood, VIC	-	-
Melbourne Metropolitan, VIC	-	-
Thomastown, VIC	-	-

provides a list of indicative synchronous condenser projects that can strengthen the grid while meeting fault level requirements [48,52,54,55].

3.2. Battery Energy Storage Systems

Synchronous condensers are not the only solution capable to keep power systems operating securely while transitioning to a more clean energy generation pool. Technologies such as grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are seen as more modular and flexible solutions. BESSs can not only provide ancillary and essential grid services (e.g., frequency and voltage management and system restoration) but also cope with the inherent variability of renewable energy systems, contributing to energy balancing. A summary of essential services that a BESS can provide in a power system is shown in

Table 4. Grid services of battery energy storage systems.

Service	Description	Suitability of
		GFL BESS	GFM BESS
Energy trade	Energy balancing, arbitrage, minimize renewable energy curtailment	✓	✓
Firm capacity	Capability to provide energy at a given level to meet forecast demand	✓	✓
Inertia	Reduction in the rate of change of frequency	✗	✓
Frequency control	Regulation, primary, secondary, tertiary response	✓	✓
System strength	Voltage stabilization, high fault current injection	✗	✓
Voltage support	Reactive power support for regulating the voltage	✓	✓
Black-start	Start a system from an outage	✗	✓

. Even though traditional, grid-following BESSs are suitable for providing several of the functionalities in Table 4, grid-forming BESSs unlock new services.

The basic configuration of a grid-forming BESS is shown in Figure 3. A grid-forming BESS operates as a virtual synchronous machine that mimics the external characteristics of a conventional synchronous generator (SG). As mentioned in Section 2.3.4, one of the salient features of a grid-forming converter, compared to a conventional grid-following converter, is the absence of the PLL used for grid synchronization. PLLs can still be adopted to measure the simultaneous frequency for implementing high-level controls; however, it is no longer a critical element for the operation of the converter. Consequently, a grid-forming BESS is designed to self-synchronize to the grid or directly operate in island mode based on internal phase references. The removal of PLLs makes grid-forming BESSs robust to voltage/frequency disturbances coming from the main grid.

The SG emulator is the critical part in the control frame of GFM BESSs. The emulator replicates the characteristics of SGs by incorporating swing equations and active voltage regulations (AVRs) in the digital control. Swing equations are used to realize fast reference track and provide virtual inertia, while mitigating possible overshoots in the cases of grid events. The digital implementation allows flexible selection of virtual synchronous generator parameters in order to maximize these capabilities of GFM BESSs within power rating limits [56]. Similarly, parameters in the AVR control, which correspond to the excitation of the SG, can be selected with certain freedom to improve the dynamic response of reactive power and facilitate voltage regulation.

A virtual impedance block can also be incorporated in the control loop of GFM BESSs to become accustomed to weak grids. In the context of large-scale systems, the virtual impedance block enhances reactive power sharing capabilities of multiple BESSs connected in parallel [57]. Moreover, the virtual resistance component helps mitigate a wide frequency range of resonance related to impedance mismatching, inappropriately tuned controllers, or improper control setups [58]. In comparison to utilizing passive damping circuits, virtual impedance does not introduce unexpected power losses.

All these functionalities of GFM BESSs, however, are subject to the available energy capacity of battery packs and the overcurrent capability of the converter interface. The designers are supposed to trade off the need of investment curtailment against the capability of providing grid services. Currently, grid-following BESSs are still common solutions for power systems, but the progress towards the technical maturity allows grid-forming BESSs to become more common in future power systems.

Grid-scale batteries have been already commissioned in Australia, and there are more than 80 projects planned (with a total capacity of 18,660 MW).

Table 5. Operational battery energy storage systems in Australia [11].

Project	Power Rating	Energy	Year
Hornsdale Power Reserve, SA	150 MW	194 MWh	2017
Dalrymple, SA	30 MW	8 MWh	2018
Ballarat ESS, VIC	30 MW	30 MWh	2019
Lake Bonney, SA	25 MW	52 MWh	2019
Gannawarra ESS, VIC	25 MW	50 MWh	2019
Victorian Big Battery, VIC	300 MW	450 MWh	2021
Wandoan, QLD	100 MW	150 MWh	2021

and

Table 6. Announced battery energy storage systems in Australia [11].

Project	Power Rating	Energy	Status
Melton Renewable Energy Hub, VIC	600 MW	1600 MWh	Expected 2023
Wallgrove Grid Battery, NSW	50 MW	75 MWh	Expected 2023
Torrens Island, SA	250 MW	250 MWh	Anticipated
Ipswich Regional Energy Hub, QLD	1000 MW	1000 MWh	Announced
Great Western Battery, NSW	500 MW	1000 MWh	Announced
Darling Downs Battery, QLD	300 MW	2000 MWh	Announced
Mortlake Battery, VIC	300 MW	900 MWh	Announced
Riverina, NSW	150 MW	-	Announced
Crystal Brook Energy Park, SA	130 MW	400 MWh	Announced
Broken Hill, NSW	50 MW	100 MWh	Announced

list operational and announced BESSs in the Australian NEM, respectively [11]. Other power systems in Australia, such as the South West Interconnected System, have also installed grid-scale BESSs. A 30 MW, 11.4 MWh battery has been commissioned at Newman power station in 2018. Furthermore, the system is expected to integrate two 100 MW, 200 MWh in Kwinana and Wagerup in Western Australia [59].

4. Impact of Trending Technologies in Australia

This Section provides a set of cases in which trending technologies, as discussed in Section 3, have positively impacted the operation of the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM).

4.1. Synchronous Condenser—The South Australian Experience

The state of South Australia is well known by its rapid transition to renewable generation. The increase in renewable energy generation has totally displaced coal-based generation and reduced imports from neighboring states and gas-based generating units. Figure 4 shows the energy mix in South Australia in the last 21 years [60].

The gigawatt-scale South Australian grid is also demonstrating how IBR renewable energy can supply more than 60% of demand while keeping a secure and reliable electricity service. In the last calendar year (December 2020 to December 2021), 76.2% of the days had an IBR generation (wind, solar PV, BESS, and rooftop PV) over half the total generation of the state. Furthermore, 52.7% and 10.1% of annual IBR generations were more than 60% and 90% of the total generation, respectively. Figure 5 shows this cumulative renewable energy generation distribution for the calendar year [60].

After the blackout event of South Australia on 28 September 2016, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) defined that at least three synchronous generating units, each with an installed capacity of 100 MW or more, are required to be connected at all times [43]. Additional operational constraints were also placed to meet minimum system strength requirements. These conditions, together with fault level shortfalls, result in costly dispatches of high-priced gas generation units, the curtailment of renewable energy, and the need for new and most efficient solutions [61,62]. As a result, ElectraNet, the Transmission Network Service Provider (TNSP) and System Strength Service Provider (SSSP) in South Australia, performed an economic analysis that determined that installing synchronous condensers on the transmission network was the most cost-effective solution in the short to medium term.

A complete technical assessment was carried out by ElectraNet and endorsed by AEMO [63]. The solution, consisting of the installation of four large SynCons on the transmission network, had a total capital cost of about A$190 million. The installation of all four synchronous condensers has been completed by September 2021. Each SynCon unit has a fault capability of 575 MVA at 275 kV, which helps to meet the system’s strength gap (fault level shortfall). Furthermore, to meet inertia requirements, synchronous condensers are equipped with flywheels to provide 1100 MWs, a total of 4400 MWs of inertia. Figure 6 shows the location of the synchronous condensers.

The constant operation of at least three synchronous generating units has been changed to take into account the benefits provided by SynCons. While the operation of all four SynCons, with high inertia flywheels, enables dispatching up to ∼2500 MW of IBRs, at least two large synchronous thermal units need to be connected under normal system conditions [64]. Traditional synchronous generators are still necessary to continuously provide active power support and maintain sufficient ramping control and reactive power support.

Table 7. South Australia minimum generator combinations under system normal operation [64].

No. SynCons	IBR Generation	Generator Combination
4	≤2500 MW	SA_1: 2 × Torrens Island B
4	≤2500 MW	SA_4: 1 × Torrens Island B + 1 × Quarantine 5
2	≤2000 MW	SA_35: 1 × Torrens Island B + 1 × Osborne GT + ST
2	≤1900 MW	SA_37: 1 × Pelican Point + 3 × Dry Creek
-	≤1750 MW	SA_79: 4 × Torrens Island B + 1 × Osborne GT + ST
-	≤1300 MW	SA_50: 2 × Torrens Island B + 1 × Pelican Point

shows some of the combinations for a secure state of the South Australian network for different levels of IBR generation under normal system conditions. These combinations allow withstanding a credible fault and loss of a synchronous generating unit in South Australia at different IBR generation levels.

When South Australia is on a credible risk of island or operating as an island, the same generator combinations for four SynCons is valid (refer to Table 7). However, combinations for two or non SynCons change as sufficient inertia, frequency response, and generation power are required to ensure power system security.

Table 8. South Australia minimum generator combinations under islanding operation [64].

No. SynCons	IBR Generation	Generator Combination
2	≤1900 MW	SA_ISLE_31: 1 × Torrens Island B + 1 × Pelican Point
2	≤1900 MW	SA_ISLE_37: 3 × Torrens Island B
-	≤1300 MW	SA_ISLE_51: 2 × Torrens Island B + 2 × Pelican Point
-	≤1300 MW	SA_ISLE_73: 3 × Torrens Island B + 2 × Dry Creek

summarizes some of the combinations that are needed under these circumstances.

The integration of synchronous condenser into the transmission network has increased the secure use of renewable generation in the grid. At times, the participation of renewable generation is above 100%, meaning that South Australia exports clean energy to the rest of the NEM. For instance, Figure 7 shows the generation mix for a 7-day window, from 24 November to the 1 December [60]. During these days, renewable energy had a maximum participation of 137.9% (1904 MW) while gas-generating units and imports accounted for a 5.7% (78.9 MW). Nevertheless, due to the high variability of renewable energy resources, South Australia still requires the backup of traditional resources (gas) and imports to supply the demand during low renewable generation. For the same time frame, gas-generating units and imports accounted for a maximum participation of 94% (1856 MW) while renewable generation was only 7% (138.6 MW).

The operation of SynCons has also helped achieve new minimum operational demand records in the state as further gas-based units are backed off. According to AEMO, on Sunday 21 November 2021, the estimated rooftop PV provided 92% (1220 MW) of the region’s underlying demand, resulting in a minimum demand record of 104 MW from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. [65]. This resulted in an excess of 38 MW of rooftop PV that was exported to other states. Demand and generation mixes on Sunday 21 November 2021 are shown in Figure 8.

As distributed rooftop solar PV continues to grow, it is expected that minimum demand events will become more frequent in the near future. In order to better deal with these excesses of renewable and variable energy generation, additional technologies such as battery energy storage systems are also needed to increase the flexibility and operation of the system. Fast responses (ramps) are required to deal with power generation variability while continuing to provide inertia and system strength to the grid.

4.2. Battery Energy Storage Systems

4.2.1. Hornsdale Power Reserve—Largest Battery in Australia

The Hornsdale Power Reserve (HPR) was at the time of installation the largest grid-scale lithium-ion battery in the world. HPR is located near Jamestown, South Australia, and has a power rating of 150 MW and an energy storage of 194 MWh (refer to Figure 6). The project had a total capital expenditure of about A$170 million [66,67], and since its completion in November 2017 and expansion in September 2020, it has provided market benefits as well as technical services [68].

HPR has contributed in economically optimizing the use of generation asset by trading energy (arbitrage) in the wholesale energy market. Furthermore, HPR is registered in the Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) market. In particular, HPR participates in both regulation and contingency services to provide generation/demand balance and power system stabilization, respectively. For instance, as shown in Figure 9, HPR has helped to reduce in more than 91% the average yearly regulation FCAS costs for South Australia [68]. The participation of the battery has provided a cost-effective manner that competes with traditional generators, reducing prices to a level similar to the Victoria region.

The grid-scale battery has also demonstrated its system security support during major contingency events. The fast frequency response (FFR) of HPR, contingency FCAS, has allowed operating the South Australian network under the loss of the Heywood interconnector between South Australia and Victoria. Figure 10 shows the frequency of the system and the active power support provided by the battery on the 25 August 2018 separation event [68]. The summary of events is as follows [69]:

• At 13:11:39 the Queensland–New South Wales interconnector (QNI) trips, islanding Queensland from the rest of the power system;
• Frequency drops below the lower threshold (49.85 Hz). Consequently, HPR starts tracking its frequency droop curve and provides active power as part of its FFR response;
• The frequency falls to a minimum of 49.12 Hz, and HPR has an incremental response that rises to 84.3 MW. At 13:11:47, the Heywood interconnector trips due to the activation of its emergency control scheme, resulting in a rise in the South Australian grid’s frequency;
• HPR fast frequency response is activated when the upper frequency bound is exceeded (50.15 Hz), resulting in tracking its droop curve;
• Frequency returns to the normal operating range (50 ± 0.15 Hz) deactivating the FFR of the battery.

On 31 January 2020, the South Australia–Victoria Heywood interconnector tripped, and HPR response helped stabilize the South Australian network. Figure 11 shows the active power response of the battery to the frequency variation [68]. During this event, HPR transitioned from standby to 91 MW charging. The fast frequency response of BESS demonstrates its capability to reduce the severity of major disturbances while stabilizing the network.

4.2.2. Dalrymple BESS—First Grid-Forming Battery

The Yorke Peninsula in South Australia is connected to the system through a radial 132 kV transmission system as shown in Figure 6 [70]. The area includes the Wattle Point wind farm (90 MW) on the lower part of the peninsula, which requires references from the system to operate. Disconnection of either the Hummocks to Ardrossan West 132 kV line or the Ardrossan West to Dalrymple 132 kV line resulted in the lost of local demand and Wattle Point generation. As a result, a A$30-million battery in Dalrymple was designed and commissioned to deliver a combination of network and market benefits [71].

The Dalrymple 30 MW, 8 MWh battery energy storage system is the first grid-forming battery connected to the NEM. The control of the BESS is built on virtual synchronous generator technology, which replicates the behavior of synchronous machines (refer to Section 3.2). The battery strengthens the grid by providing synthetic inertia and high fault currents. Additionally, Dalrymple grid-forming BESS permits the islanded operation of the Yorke Peninsula, enhancing local reliability of supply. Other services of the battery include the fast frequency response (FFR), seamless black-start of the local distribution network, Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS), and energy arbitrage.

Since December 2018, the grid-forming BESS has experienced 29 operational system events. Figure 12 shows the response of BESS in terms of active power for two of these system events [70]. The upper plot provides the response of the battery for a single phase to ground fault at the Ardrossan West–Dalrymple 132-kV line. As it can be observed, the battery successfully rode through the fault. Furthermore, the operation of the battery allowed the Wattle Point wind farm to remain connected (59 MW). The bottom plot of Figure 12 shows how the battery also rode through a single phase to ground fault at the Bungama–Blyth West 275-kV line.

4.3. Looking Forward

The integration of synchronous condensers and grid-scale battery energy storage systems has demonstrated the benefits of these technologies in the transformation of the Australian grid. These technologies have had a significant impact on the NEM allowing large variable renewable energy participation, unprecedented minimum operational demands, and a reduction in costs for consumers. Further opportunities for energy storage systems may arise with combined the integration of renewables and storage in a single system and on the same dc-link (e.g., PV + storage, fuel cells + storage, etc.), but such solutions are yet to materialize at scale. Moreover, grid-forming capabilities can be designed in new IBR developments or implemented in existing projects to facilitate the integration of renewables and support the grid. Nevertheless, new operational tools and processes will be needed to operate the system with a higher penetration of variable renewable energy technologies. The maximum contribution from IBRs will be limited, and less than required, if timely actions to address variable and uncertain system conditions are not taken. Furthermore, suitable regulatory frameworks are required to streamline the deployment of alternative technologies and solutions. An IBR access procedure in line with the grid code is also expected to facilitate large-scale renewable integration. Market signals should align with system needs to ensure sufficient incentives for new investments or re-investment in existing assets.

5. Conclusions

The rapid uptake of both small-scale and large-scale renewable generation has resulted in new operational and planning challenges of power systems around the globe, and Australia is not the exception. In particular, the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) has experienced continuous weakening due to the increasing participation of inverter-based resources (IBRs). Traditional IBR technologies do not provide essential services to the grid that are commonly provided by synchronous generators, which are being retired. System strength, inertia, firm capacity, and black-start capabilities are some of the functionalities that need to be available to the grid in order to maintain a secure operation.

A portfolio of diverse technologies that present cumulative capabilities is needed to overcome grid challenges while successfully integrating renewable energy generation. Synchronous condensers, battery energy storage systems, and grid-forming converters together with existing power system devices are observed as an option to flexibly transition to a more secure, reliable, and low emission power system. In this review, part of the Australian experience is provided, illustrating the successful integration of new solutions to overcome the challenges faced in a power system with a high share of IBRs.