Strategic LV Planning (Stage 1)

Project Completed

Today, Victoria has almost 1 in 3 houses with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, the low voltage (LV) networks –the electrical infrastructure to which those houses are connected– were never designed to deal with such a level of local generation. The resulting reverse power flows (due to local generation exceeding local demand) have already raised voltages and increased asset utilisation to a point in which Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs), such as AusNet, must make planning decisions to ensure the LV networks are fit for purpose.

The challenge, however, is to make strategic LV planning decisions that are fit for purpose today and for a future with more solar PV and other customer energy resources (CERs), such as electric vehicles (EVs). This can avoid unnecessary investments and help accelerate the transition to net zero.

Summary

In its first stage, this project will provide AusNet with an LV planning strategy comprised of procedures and rules for making the most effective technical decisions. The strategy will be derived using site-specific historical measurements, LV network characteristics, and comparisons of different viable planning solutions, such as off-LTC transformer augmentation, phase rebalancing, STATCOMs, etc.

This 6-month project (Oct 2024 to Apr 2025) is funded by the Australian distribution company AusNet Services.