Demand side management to flexible demand: What’s new?

Join us online or in-person at this Engineers Australia event.

Australia’s electricity system is in transition. We are moving from a centralised, fossil fuel based system to a decentralised, renewable based system. Digitalisation of the system is a major driver and enabler of this transition. AEMO’s Integrated System Planning predicts that by 2050, distributed generation and storage will make up of 35 per cent of installed capacity in the NEM, greater than the utility-scale solar and onsite solar combined. An electricity grid with high levels of renewables needs to handle fast-changing and uncertain renewable availability to ensure smooth and reliable operation. It needs to continue to meet the requirements of energy consumers who are also typically the owners of the growing amounts of distributed generation and storage.

Intelligent use of distributed energy resources and continuous management of demand can help with smooth operation of the grid while avoiding big investments in grid upgrades and installation of large-scale storage systems. Close engagement with energy consumers can ensure their preferences and behaviours are captured in system planning and operations, helping to unlock the full demand-side potential.

This talk aims to provide an introduction to the topic of demand-side flexibility and an overview of activities happening in this space both in Australia and globally. It will also introduce CSIRO’s National Energy Analysis Centre (NEAC) – enduring socio-technical research infrastructure to support the transition to a renewables-based future and net zero emissions. Finally, the talk will cover the critical role of digitalisation in enabling demand flexibility and smooth operation of a digital grid with high levels of renewables as well as distributed energy resources.

Speakers:

• Stephen Craig, NEAC Lead, CSIRO
• Subbu Sethuvenkatraman, Researcher Leader, CSIRO