Flexible Rooftop Solar Exports Launch
Endeavour Energy has unveiled a groundbreaking AI-powered flexible export system in New South Wales, allowing rooftop solar customers to exceed the current 5kW export limit. This innovation not only saves customers money but also ensures grid stability.
Households in NSW can now benefit from savings of up to $200 annually on their electricity bills, thanks to this new service. CEO of Endeavour Energy, Guy Chalkley, highlighted the previous constraints faced by households due to fixed export limits, which often resulted in unused solar energy.
The Challenge of Fixed Export Limits
Fixed export limits, such as the 5kW cap, have been a longstanding issue for solar-powered homes. These limits were established to prevent voltage fluctuations, power surges, and blackouts caused by excessive solar energy being fed back into the grid. However, with advancements in solar technology and the average system size now at 10kW, the rigidity of the 5kW limit has drawn criticism from industry experts.
Alternative measures, such as the proposed “sun tax” in some NSW networks, aim to manage the surplus solar energy by charging households for exporting electricity during peak hours. This approach has sparked controversy, prompting consumers to consider utilising their solar energy during the day or investing in home batteries for storage.
Introducing Flexible Exports
Endeavour Energy’s solution involves the deployment of smart software that enables households to maximise their grid exports based on the network’s capacity. Eligible customers can now double their export capacity from 5kW to 10kW for the majority of the year, with restrictions only in place during critical grid stability situations.
While this technology is a first for NSW, South Australia’s SA Power has been offering flexible exports using advanced software that forecasts network capacity 24 hours ahead. Endeavour’s system, developed in collaboration with Gridsight and SwitchDin, leverages real-time data and AI to optimise energy flows across the grid.
Future Implications and Benefits
Endeavour Energy anticipates that this new service could add 600 MW of renewable energy capacity, equivalent to powering 75,000 homes annually. The company estimates over $100 million in additional solar exports, further propelling Australia towards a cleaner and more resilient energy network.
Dr Gabrielle Kuiper, a DER specialist, emphasises the importance of nationwide adoption of flexible exports to maximise the benefits of solar energy. She highlights the potential cost savings for consumers and calls for a coordinated approach across Australia to ensure consistency and efficiency in the implementation of flexible export systems.
While welcoming the progress made by Endeavour Energy, Kuiper stresses the need for a unified strategy to streamline the adoption of flexible exports nationwide. She advocates for government intervention to establish a cohesive framework that benefits all solar customers and reduces the complexity associated with varying regulations in different regions.
