South Australia: Setting Up Smart Inverters for SAPN Flexible Exports and CSIP-Aus Compliance

Key Takeaways

• Any exporting solar system installed in South Australia from 1 July 2023 must be compatible with Flexible Exports.
• Your system requires a certified dynamic exports capable inverter, potentially a gateway device, and a reliable internet connection.
• SA Power Networks dynamically adjusts your export limit between 0kW or 1.5kW up to 10kW per phase, and this limit can drop during internet outages.
• Proper commissioning involves an online application, installation, device registration via your inverter's app, and an automated capability test through the SA Power Networks Portal.

What are SA Power Networks Flexible Exports and CSIP-Aus Compliance?

In South Australia, SA Power Networks (SAPN) is the Distribution Network Service Provider. From 1 July 2023, new regulations introduced by the South Australian Government require any exporting solar system installed to be compatible with Flexible Exports. This means your system must be dynamic exports capable. Flexible Exports is a standard connection option that allows for a variable export limit, automatically adjusting how much solar energy your system can send to the grid. This capability aligns with the broader requirements for smart inverters and grid integration, often referred to in the industry as CSIP-Aus compliance.

Flexible Exports is available to all eligible customers throughout South Australia, specifically for those installing new solar systems or upgrading existing ones. If you do not wish to opt-in to Flexible Exports, you can choose to have a fixed export limit (either 0kW or 1.5kW depending on your area) instead. However, the underlying system must still meet the dynamic export capability requirements.

Why is Dynamic Export Capability Required?

The primary reason for dynamic export capability is to maintain the stability and reliability of the electricity network. If too much solar energy is exported to the network when demand is low, it can cause instability and trigger unplanned outages. The independent Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) may direct SA Power Networks to reduce solar exports if the network is at risk of becoming unstable.

To manage this, all new and upgrading solar systems with exporting capability in South Australia have been required to have remote disconnection and connection functionality since 28 September 2020. For Flexible Exports sites, SA Power Networks is nominated as the Relevant Agent by default, meaning they can initiate control of your system's export output as directed by the SA Government or AEMO. This remote control capability is a key component of dynamic network management, ensuring the grid remains stable even with increasing amounts of rooftop solar.

Understanding Dynamic Network Management and Export Limits

SA Power Networks' Flexible Exports system manages your solar export dynamically. Your export limit will automatically adjust between 0kW or 1.5kW up to 10kW per phase. This adjustment depends on several factors, including the available network capacity at your location, your installed inverter capacity, and the reliability of your internet connection:

In certain situations, your export capacity may be more limited:

• Internet Outage Failover: If your internet connection is lost, your solar exports will automatically ramp down to a failover limit of 1.5kW or 0kW, depending on your specific area. This limit remains until your internet connection is restored.
• Low Hosting Capacity Sites (LHCS): A small number of properties are identified as having low hosting capacity. For these sites, both the fixed export limit and the minimum flexible export limit will be set to 0kW instead of 1.5kW.
• SWER Network Limits: Customers on Single-Wire Earth-Return (SWER) networks can install up to 10kW of solar and 10kW of batteries. While they may be able to export up to 10kW, some SWER areas have more limited export capacity, and some customers may not be able to export at all. For SWER customers, the Flexible Exports lower bound limit is offered as 0kW export, instead of 1.5kW as in other parts of the network.

It is important to note that future export capacity may decrease as more customers connect and export solar energy into the SA Power Networks' network.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your System for Flexible Exports

Setting up a solar system for Flexible Exports in South Australia involves several key steps to ensure compliance and proper operation. This process is typically managed by your accredited installer.

1. Application Process (Small Embedded Generation):

• • Your installer will complete an online application via the SA Power Networks Portal.
  • They will need your National Meter Identifier (NMI), meter number, customer details, and system specifications.
  • Applications are auto-approved if all technical and compliance requirements are met, and there are no known network constraints for your site.

2. Installation Requirements:

• • The inverter (and any required gateway or import/export monitoring device, such as a CT clamp) must be installed according to the manufacturer's installation guides.
  • All exporting solar inverters on your property, including any existing legacy inverters, must be brought under site-wide export control.
  • The inverter and any other Flexible Exports devices must be connected to the internet to allow for automatic adjustments.

3. Commissioning Process:

• • Your installer will commission the equipment using the inverter manufacturer's installation app.
  • Device registration is a crucial part of this process. It typically involves entering your NMI into the inverter manufacturer's installer app, which then advises SA Power Networks of the newly commissioned device. Incorrect commissioning may prevent your system from exporting.

4. Capability Test:

• • After device registration, an automated capability test is triggered through the Installations tab in the SA Power Networks Portal.
  • This test confirms that your device is online and correctly commissioned for enrolment into the Flexible Exports connection option.

5. Close-Out Process:

• • Once the installation and capability test are complete, your installer must close out all equipment in the Installations tab in the Portal.
  • An electronic Certificate of Compliance (eCoC) is a regulated document required by the South Australian Government for the installation.

Multi-Inverter Configurations: Support for multiple inverters varies by manufacturer. It is essential to consult with your manufacturer to understand specific equipment capabilities. Remember that all inverters, both new and legacy, must be brought under the site-wide export limit.

Changing from Fixed to Flexible Exports: If you initially chose a fixed export limit and wish to change to Flexible Exports, a new application must be submitted in the Portal. Your installer will ensure existing equipment details are correct and select Flexible Export from the "Proposed Installation" page.

Supported Inverters and Devices for Flexible Exports

SA Power Networks supports a range of inverter manufacturers and other devices for Flexible Exports. For systems where SA Power Networks acts as the Relevant Agent, the following inverter brands are supported:

• Alpha ESS
• Fronius (excluding Symo Hybrid or GEN24 inverters)
• Ginlong Solis
• GoodWe
• Growatt
• Huawei
• LG Energy Solution (specifically the LGES-5048 RESU HOME model)
• Redback Technology
• SMA
• SolarEdge
• SolaX
• Sungrow

For specific certified dynamic exports capable inverter models, you must refer to the Clean Energy Council's (CEC) inverter list.

In addition to inverters, SA Power Networks also supports various Demand Response Enabling Devices (DREDs) and electricity meters:

• Electricity Meters: PLUS ES advanced meters with a dedicated internal switching relay.
• DREDs:
• • Mondo Ubi IoT devices (internet-connected, connected to supported inverters via Modbus).
  • SwitchDin Droplet devices (internet-connected, connected to supported inverters via Modbus).
  • Wattwatchers Auditor 6M or 6W devices (internet-connected, with contactor switching for all inverters, or connected to inverters' DRM port for supported models).
• SCADA Control: This is suitable for electricity generating plants with an export capacity of more than 200kW.

What You Can Check Yourself, and What You Cannot

As a homeowner, you can perform some basic checks to ensure your Flexible Exports system is operating correctly:

• Internet Connection: Verify that your home internet connection is active and stable. A reliable internet connection is crucial for your system to communicate with SA Power Networks and maintain optimal export limits.
• Monitoring App Data: Check your inverter's monitoring app or online portal for real-time data on your system's generation and export. This can help you understand if your system is exporting as expected.

However, certain tasks and adjustments must only be handled by an accredited installer or qualified electrician:

• Application and Commissioning: The initial application, installation, and commissioning process, including device registration and the capability test, requires specialized knowledge and access to the SA Power Networks Portal.
• Inverter Settings: Never attempt to change your inverter's grid-protection settings yourself. These settings are configured by an accredited installer to comply with Australian inverter connection standards and your connection agreement. Incorrect adjustments can lead to system malfunction, grid instability, or breach of your connection agreement. Your installer or electricity distributor can confirm the specific settings configured on your inverter.
• Electrical Work: Any physical electrical work, including installing or modifying wiring, inverters, or metering equipment, must be performed by a licensed professional.

What the Published Sources Do Not Tell You

While SA Power Networks provides comprehensive information on Flexible Exports, some specific technical details are not publicly available or are referenced to external sources:

• CSIP-Aus Standard Details: The provided documents refer to "SA Government Dynamic Export requirements" which align with CSIP-Aus, but the specific technical details of the CSIP-Aus standard itself are not explicitly defined or linked.
• Communication Protocols: Detailed technical specifications for the communication protocols (e.g., specific Modbus registers or API standards) used by SA Power Networks for dynamic export control are not provided in these high-level overview pages.
• Site Assessment for LHCS: The exact process for a "site assessment" to potentially increase the lower bound export limit for Low Hosting Capacity Sites (LHCS) is not detailed.
• Specific Inverter Models: While a list of supported inverter manufacturers is provided, specific inverter models from these manufacturers that are certified are not listed directly on the SA Power Networks page. You are directed to consult the Clean Energy Council's (CEC) inverter list for this information.
• App Names or Port Names: Specific app names or port names for inverter setup are not provided, as these are manufacturer-specific.
• Error/Fault Codes: The documents do not detail specific error or fault codes, beyond the general concept of an internet outage leading to reduced export.
• Settings/Pairing Values: No specific settings or pairing values are provided, as these are manufacturer-specific and configured during commissioning.