1. business and industrial
2. energy
3. electricity

Grid Energy Storage System
Yogendra Vashishtha, Network Modernisation
Principal Engineer-Asset Innovation & DER
Yogendra.vashishtha@ausnetservices.com.au
Acknowledgements:
GESS Team (AusNet Services)
AusNet Services
Electricity transmission network –
carrying electricity from power stations to
electricity distributors across all of Victoria via
12,800 high voltage towers and approximately
6,500 kilometers of Transmission lines.
Electricity distribution network –
carrying electricity from the high voltage
transmission grid to approximately 620,000
customers across eastern Victoria. This network
spans approximately 46,000 kilometers across
an area of 80,000 square kilometers.
Gas distribution network –
transporting gas to approximately 570,000
customers across central and western
Victoria. This network spans approximately
9,400 kilometers across an area of 60,000
square kilometers.
2
Demand Management Activities
1
Network Support: C&I Demand Management
•  Upcoming projects to expand portfolio, enhance dispatch effectiveness and sophistication
2
Network Support: Embedded Generation
•  Typically 3-5 year arrangement to defer major assets , e.g. new ZSS transformer
•  A competitive process as mandated by RIT-D for projects > $5M
•  Utilises DMIS funding
3
Distributed Generation
•  Project management and design of trials such as battery storage at both a residential and substation level and
also the provision of a mobile generation fleet: non network options as per Demand Side Engagement Strategy
•  EG connections support and updating of policies and procedures for connection of embedded generation in line
with market developments
3
Demand Management Incentive Scheme (DMIS)
AER (Australian energy regulator), in its 2010 period price determination, has incentivised the
DNSPs (‘Distribution Network Service Providers’) to consider DSP to manage network demand.
The DMIS consists of two parts:
Part A-DMIA (‘Demand Management Innovation Allowance’)-allowance for non-tariff
DM program approved under the DMIS.
Part B- Recovery of the forgone revenue directly attributable to the implementation
of DMIS program approved under Part A of the DMIS.
Notes:
•  Projects and programs eligible for approval under this DMIS must meet the DMIA criteria
specified
•  DMIS is not designed to be the sole or even primary source of funding for the DSP
•  Capital expenditure made under the DMIA will not be rolled into RAB at the start of next
regulatory control period
4
Grid Energy Storage Trial (GESS)
1MW / 1MWh lithium ion
22kV
Feeder
Key Functions
1MW
5
- 
- 
- 
- 
Peak Lopping
Feeder Islanding
Voltage Regulation
Phase Balancing
Grid Energy Storage Trial (GESS)
6
Grid Energy Storage Trial (GESS)
More photos- courtesy ABB Australia
7
8
Executive Leadership Visit
GESS Design
• 
Design involves special features like transformer with
two LV windings to work with the grid and in island
mode.
• 
The trial anticipates a future in which lower battery
prices and standardised manufacturing of plant
components will reduce the total cost of a system like
GESS.
• 
GESS is designed to provide additional supply capacity
during high demand periods to offset or defer expensive
network upgrades.
• 
It improves the quality of power delivery, providing
active and reactive power support and other power
quality functions, when connected to the network.
• 
During the trial, located in an industrial estate in
Thomastown, the system will connect at 22kV to a local
feeder from Watsonia Zone Substation.
• 
Should a section of the network become isolated, GESS
can provide power as part of an islanded grid.
9
Grid Energy storage Trial
Conclusions to date
Disadvantages
Advantages
10
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
Expensive at the moment
Asset life?
Innovative ,complicated technology
introduced into traditional business
Potentially economically viable -when?
No emissions
Potential competitive NEM market participation
Defer network augmentation
Improve power quality
Mobile
Grid Energy storage System Trial
Results to date
•  2MW Power from the GESS
•  Transition from Grid Connected to Islanded
•  Peak Lopping
•  Power Factor
•  Peak Lopping plus Power Factor
•  Voltage Support
•  Voltage Support plus Peak Lopping
11
Grid Energy storage System Trial
Future Trials-Quality of Supply
•  THD
•  Negative Sequence Voltages
•  Load Balance
•  Flicker
12
Issues to date
•  Fire
•  Environmental issues
•  Council Permits
•  Stakeholder Management (internal / external) & communication plans
•  Tariff Metering
•  Storage environmental issues (fire, temperature )
•  Site Development & Security
•  O&M, training
•  Commissioning on time
March 31, 2015
13