Australia is making significant strides in its transition to renewable energy, as evidenced by two new engineering reports.

These reports, focusing on the National Electricity Market (NEM) and Western Australia’s South West Interconnected System (SWIS), outline strategies to overcome technical barriers in the shift from coal to renewable energy sources.

AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman highlighted the impressive progress already made in renewable energy adoption:

• Renewable sources currently meet 40 per cent of Australia’s energy needs throughout the year
• Peak renewable contributions have reached record levels of over 72 per cent on the east coast and 84 per cent on the west coast

The 2024 NEM Engineering Roadmap update showcases several notable accomplishments over the past year:

• Development of specifications for grid-forming inverters
• Creation of electric vehicle standards for grid operation
• Advancements in rooftop solar inverter compliance
• Implementation of last resort rooftop solar backstop requirements

A remarkable achievement was noted in South Australia, where the state’s entire electricity demand was met by rooftop solar for a period on December 31, 2023.

This was made possible through:

• Installation of power system equipment to maintain grid security
• Improvements in rooftop solar grid connections
• Implementation of consumer protection policies

AEMO is collaborating with international peers and local industry to address technical constraints and harness more renewable energy.

The organisation aims to ensure a secure and reliable electricity supply while supporting the continuous increase of renewables in the energy mix.

These engineering reports mark a significant step forward in Australia’s renewable energy journey, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient power system across the country.