{"id":65473,"date":"2022-09-12T08:04:51","date_gmt":"2022-09-11T21:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=65473"},"modified":"2022-09-12T14:42:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-12T04:12:02","slug":"qld-emergency-solar-mechanism-mb2629","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/qld-emergency-solar-mechanism-mb2629\/","title":{"rendered":"QLD Emergency Solar Backstop Mechanism Nears"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Queensland<\/p>\n

In just a few months, Ergon Energy and Energex will have the capability to remotely switch off some solar power and battery systems – but don’t panic.<\/p>\n

Queensland is facing the same challenges elsewhere in Australia with rooftop solar power’s<\/a> booming popularity – at some times of the day in some parts of some networks, too much solar energy is being exported and not enough electricity is being consumed. While these periods tend to be brief, they can cause network stability issues. As solar panels appear on more rooftops across the state, the management challenges will grow and become more widespread.<\/p>\n

So, the Queensland Government is introducing a safeguard that will help maintain electricity system strength in instances where this may be threatened – the Emergency Backstop Mechanism.<\/p>\n

How The Emergency Backstop Mechanism Will Work<\/h2>\n

New inverter installations 10kVA (10kW) and above will soon need to be fitted with a generation signalling device (GSD). This device will cost around $70 (wholesale), plus installation.<\/p>\n

\"generation<\/p>\n

Connected to the inverter, the GSD will enable Ergon Energy and Energex to remotely switch off systems for short periods as a last resort in emergency situations to prevent blackouts when directed to do so by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).<\/p>\n

The device responds to a signal sent over the power line, known as Audio Frequency Load Control (AFLC). These systems will be prevented from generating energy for self-consumption and export until the emergency has passed and network operators send another signal to the inverters to allow them to reconnect to the network.<\/p>\n

A couple of important points to note – this requirement will not impact existing systems (with the exceptions below) and as mentioned, remote solar shutdowns will be a last resort. The emergency backstop mechanism will also only be applicable in areas where Energex and Ergon have AFLC available for signalling.<\/p>\n

At this point, the generation signalling device will be required for:<\/p>\n