GreenSync launches pluggable technology for energy grids

Perhaps representing a bold step in Australia’s evolution to a decentralised, renewable energy grid, Australian company GreenSync has launched a new pluggable technology framework to control distributed energy resources for local electricity grids.

HIGHV is an advanced cloud software and control systems framework that is designed to enable grids to operate above 80% renewable penetration.

It allows users such as T&D utilities, energy retailers, energy services companies and universities to tailor the operation of their networks via the creation of control strategies and algorithms, known as ‘pluggable capabilities’, which can then be plugged into the local grid, providing sophisticated commands for directing the use of energy resources.

GreenSync’s founder and managing director, Dr Phil Blythe, said HIGHV is about making the grid pluggable to accommodate the multitude of resources and actors at play in a decentralised energy system.

“The centralised approach to electricity management of the last 50 years is no longer adequate in many parts of Australia,” said Blythe.

“Our grid must now support a range of new innovations and localised approaches to managing Australia’s electricity needs. The only way to make this new grid simple, localised and capable of supporting rapid change is to make it pluggable.”

The technology platform has been in production for several years with utilities, energy companies and universities.

Launching today at the Energy Networks 2016 conference and exhibition, running in Adelaide this week, the company said it expects to see an increase in collaboration by offering HIGHV free to universities for the development, testing and commercialisation of new pluggable capabilities.

“As more DERs are integrated into our energy system, cooperation among parties will be critical for maintaining power system security and reliability. Universities play an integral role in shaping the future of society and, as such, GreenSync invites institutions from around Australia and globally to join us in designing new capabilities for managing our evolving energy system,” said Blythe.