Page 39 - Energize January 2022

VIEWS AND OPINION

Connolly recognises that part to make it ready for new energy market requirements to dispatch and settle energy in
of the process of decarbonising is Five Minute Settlement blocks.
electrifying everything and using
that clean energy for industry and Transmission line
infrastructure including transport. Transmission and distribution networks are modernising rapidly, thanks to smart energy
“Electrification is a prerequisite management technologies and local innovations like the world’s fastest vacuum circuit-
of making best use of renewable breaker, Fusesaver.
energy and is a crucial part of This becomes critical given the volatility of energy spot prices as we transition to
this convergence.” But renewable a more complex energy mix. “More capable smart meter management helps energy
generation isn’t as simple as some providers to understand their data better and ultimately forecast and operate the
photovoltaic panels and a few wind power grid even more efficiently for their customers,” says Connolly. “Imagine what else
turbines says Connolly. can be achieved if we harness this explosion of data.”
“There’s a lot of innovation
taking place to enable renewables.” Lessons from Industry 4.0 around flexibility
An example is Tahiti. The island is As experts agree, flexibility is the key to our future electricity system. That is, flexibility
working towards a 75% renewable in conventional generation, in renewable generation, in networks and in demand. The
target by replacing diesel with battery way we generate, consume, store and share energy is being transformed – and is all
storage. This is being supported with made possible by digitalization. The Grid Edge also plays an important role in net zero
a unique combination of inverter because it’s where the consumer, prosumer and the intelligent grid interact. Again – all
technology from Siemens with about flexibility.
virtual synchronous generator (VSG) Connolly says that this need for flexibility is similar to what is taking place in the
functionality. Another example is the industry sector: “Some fundamental things we take for granted as part of Industry 4.0
e-cube jointly developed in Australia equally apply to the energy transition.”
by Siemens and the Clean Technology The digital twin, which is already widely in use in manufacturing, for example allows
Group to fast track and streamline you to analyse and plan complex electrical power systems, making them ready for
medium solar connection to the grid. changed/changing requirements. Data analytics, IIoT and artificial intelligence allow
you to plan and adjust energy needs in real-time based on real demand data. “Digital
Digitalisation of everything twins support the integration of conventional and renewable energy, better investment
With the dramatic increase of planning and improved grid reliability,” Connolly says.
renewable energy comes the need
to manage far more complexity in Hydrogen is the game changer, and Australia can lead the world
terms of multidirectional energy and Effective storage has been said to be the holy grail of a renewable energy future
greater fluctuation. Smart energy because you can address the reliability issue that comes with intermittent forms
management is becoming much of energy such as wind and solar. “Not everyone in the APAC region has abundant
more relevant – in transmission and renewable potential and so green hydrogen is a legitimate alternative to fossil fuels if
distribution grids. Information and we scale up quickly and get costs down,” said Connolly. “Strategically it makes sense for
transparency are key to match supply Australia to not only build domestic hydrogen needs but also to aim to be the world’s
and demand under much more largest exporter of hydrogen as we transition over the coming decades away from fossil
complex conditions. fuel exports,” Connolly said.
Hydrogen also supports decarbonisation of the gas network. The Australia Gas
“Some fundamental things Infrastructure Group already uses excess rooftop solar in Adelaide, through a Siemens
we take for granted as part of electrolyser to split H 2O and create green hydrogen which is reticulated into the local gas
Industry 4.0 equally apply to grid. “The time for pilots is over. The technology is proven; it just needs scale and an initial
the energy transition” – Jeff period of support to get the cost curve down. If Australia does this well, then as a nation,
Connolly we can also support the decarbonisation and energy security of the APAC region.”

Convergence comes with an Mastering the net zero transformation
explosion of data and the Industrial Professor Connolly is convinced that energy grids, buildings and industry need to merge
IoT. About 50% of the world’s data was into one optimised system. Flexibility is key for energy networks, and digitalization plays
created last year and we need to turn an integral role in achieving this and in optimizing the energy value chain and lifecycle
this into value. For example, Siemens of our energy systems. Finally, all of this can only be achieved through close interaction
EnergyIP Meter Data Management of society, academia and industry to really master the energy transformation. Only then
software has played a key role in will the ‘how’ become real.
upgrading one of the biggest meter
data management systems in Australia Send your comments to rogerl@nowmedia.co.za

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