Community and regulatory perspectives on microgrids

Chief Investigators

Dr Mike Roberts (UNSW)

Purpose of project

The project is focused on exploring the development of connected and islandable microgrids within the Australian distribution network. It aims to increase network reliability and resilience, enhance the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Clean Energy Resources (CER) and support the transition to net-zero emissions. Essential Energy’s accelerated roll-out of reliability-driven microgrids serves as the foundation for this project, which will analyse regulatory barriers, and community motivations, expectations and responses in two pilot areas.

By developing isolated microgrids, the project aims to improve security of supply, reduce costs related to network augmentation and maintenance, and promote economic activity. The research offers the opportunity to develop insights and policy recommendations to support networks, which will help overcome existing barriers and increase stakeholder understanding, of network-led microgrids. 

Impact of project

The project’s findings will guide DNSPs and other stakeholders (including regulators, energy retailers, and DER suppliers) in successfully deploying microgrids and enhancing DER integration. It will assess strategies and sentiment toward DER and microgrids, propose effective engagement strategies, and provide actionable recommendations for regulatory changes. These insights will be used to inform requests for regulatory waivers and rule changes to enable future projects.

• Long-term impact (by 2034): Broader DER adoption, enhanced community engagement, and improved microgrid projects across Australia.
• Short-term impact (next 5 years): Reduced rooftop PV curtailment, and the elimination of regulatory barriers for DNSPs.

Project work packages

Work Package 1: Literature Review

Desktop literature review, including industry reports from smart microgrid projects in Australia and internationally, and academic journals.

Work Package 2: Qualitative research with project and external stakeholders

Semi-structured interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders connected to the microgrid program, external stakeholders and consumer advocates

Work Package 3: Longitudinal qualitative and quantitative research with participant communities

A. Semi-structured interviews with individual electricity users and community representatives in each location

B. Online surveys of the broader participant cohort at different stages of the project, or after significant events, to understand motivations and sentiments at a quantitative level, and test insights from the qualitative research.

C. Periodic online focus groups with participants from different communities to compare experiences and share learnings.

Work Package 4: Desktop communications review to contextualise analysis of community interviews and focus groups.

Work Package 5: Regulatory and policy analysis and engagement

A. Desktop regulatory review to identify and assess all relevant regulations, standards, etc., as well as review recommendations from previous trials, from consumer advocacy groups, etc.

B. Develop recommendations based on desktop review and salient data from WP2 and WP3

C. Engage in relevant regulatory consultations

Project partners – industry and research

UNSW (Lead), Essential Energy