CSIRO and ENA partner to map electricity sector transformation

The CSIRO and Energy Networks Association (ENA) have partnered together for the first time to deliver an Electricity Network Transformation Roadmap — a plan for helping the industry accommodate the rapid adoption of new technologies over the next decade.

The roadmap development process will involve collaboration across the energy supply chain, including consumer representatives, service and technology providers, policymakers, regulators and academia.

“Australian electricity networks are delighted to partner with the CSIRO to ensure our electricity system is future ready and oriented towards empowered customers,” said John Bradley, ENA’s CEO.

“Australia has a clear window of opportunity to reshape our electricity system to enable customer-driven take-up of new services, like renewable and low-emission generation, home automation, battery storage and electric vehicles.”

The roadmap project will use science from the CSIRO and close collaboration with stakeholders to inform a 10-year transition plan. Central to the transformation will be the evolution of the way customers use, produce and value electricity and energy services.

“Energy transformation is challenging traditional business models but it is also creating opportunities for alternative services to unlock additional value for both homes and businesses,” said Paul Graham, CSIRO chief economist.

ENA said the transformation of the Australian energy system is already underway with 1.4 million household generators, significantly greater consumer engagement, falling per capita consumption and smart grid technologies that enable better network services.

They said Australian households are world leaders in the uptake of household solar power, with almost 15% having adopted the technology — more than triple that of Germany, in second place.

“Australia is an ideal place to launch this collaboration. While other developed countries around the world face similar change pressures, Australia’s impressive rates of household solar penetration together with its market diversity — from remote rural networks to highly urbanised cities — are truly unique,” said Graham.

ENA said there is enormous potential for new business models such as micro-grids or ‘transactive’ automated demand control systems to replace our conventional model of supplying bulk power to largely passive consumers, and we are well placed to explore these opportunities within the sector.

Project partners will deliver an interim report in November 2015 to share early learnings, followed by an industry transformation report and the final roadmap in October 2016.