AusNet wins Federal grant to trial grid tech that could defer costly upgrades
What's the deal? AusNet has secured funding from the Commonwealth of AustraliaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → under the Albanese Government'US$22M Grid Enhancing Technologies (GET) Program to trial its Network Exchanger (NEx) project. It's one of 14 projects backed by the program, which aims to strengthen Australia's electricity grid and help households get more value from rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles.
What's the endgame? The flagship NEx project is a first for an Australian distribution network service provider. It targets voltage regulation, phase balancing and power quality while increasing the usable capacity of existing network assets.
Why now? Victoria's energy system is shifting fast as customers install rooftop solar, adopt EVs and electrify homes and businesses. AusNet says the technology could unlock more capacity from Victoria's existing network without new infrastructure.
“NEx could solve multiple network challenges simultaneously, helping accommodate growing demand while potentially deferring costly network upgrades, therefore saving customers on their bills,” said Andrew Linnie, AusNet's executive general manager, distribution.
What else? Beyond leading NEx, AusNet is supporting three other GET recipients. EcoJoule's EcoVAR V2 project will trial low-voltage technology to boost solar hosting capacity, while JET Charge's Vehicle-to-Grid project will test how EVs can support the grid during peak demand.
AusNet is also backing RMIT University's FlexBat project, which will investigate how coordinated battery orchestration can integrate more distributed energy resources. AusNet will provide engineering expertise, network data and advisory support.
The signal: The grant reflects a bet on squeezing more from existing infrastructure rather than building anew. As solar, EVs and home batteries multiply, utilities are turning to smarter software and hardware to manage a two-way grid — and defer the capital costs that ultimately land on customer bills.
Read more: AusNet Services
Image credit: Oran Viriyincy
