CSIP-AUS and Dynamic Connections

Better for Consumers. Better for the Grid.

CSIP-AUS and Dynamic Connections

Power utilities across Australia are facing common challenges associated with the rise of rooftop solar, increased peak demand, and the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

CSIP-AUS (Common Smart Inverter Profile - Australia) is steadily being accepted as the national standard for dynamic management of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) in the grid.

CSIP-AUS is a set of guidelines specific to Australia, based on the IEEE 2030.5 communications protocol, that ensures interoperability and secure communication between DERs and utility networks in the Australian market.

The Combined Energy EMU (Energy Management Unit) is a CSIP-AUS Compliant Gateway currently approved by DNSPs for DER control in all states with mandatory and voluntary CSIP-AUS requirements.

A single EMU can coordinate any number of compatible solar/battery inverters and EV chargers at a site to comply with dynamic import/export limits.

At sites where net metering is required, the EMU can use data from an existing inverter power meter if available. For sites with no existing inverter net meter, or where it is impractical to install the inverter meter at the grid connection point, a Combined Energy Power Meter can be used.

Key Features of CSIP-AUS

Dynamic ExportSA and QLDAllows power utilities to give solar owners access to a higher average export limit, with the condition that solar may be temporarily reduced during "minimum demand" events. Implemented in SA and QLD.

Dynamic ImportQLDEnables power utilities to reduce total grid consumption of customer sites by throttling loads like EV Chargers during periods of extreme demand in the grid. Currently implemented in QLD.

Solar Emergency BackstopVICProvides a mechanism for power utilities to perform emergency disconnection of solar PV during periods of high production and low demand in the grid.

EV Load ControlQLDEnables power utilities to throttle down or disconnect EV Chargers to protect the grid during high-stress periods. Currently implemented in QLD.

CSIP-AUS in Australia

Power utilities across Australia are evaluating the potential of CSIP-AUS, sharing their results and collaborating to determine the best path forward for managing the grid:

Solar

Queensland has introduced a voluntary CSIP-AUS pathway enabling solar owners to install larger solar PV systems provided they are under Dynamic Export control. Without CSIP-AUS control, new PV systems are limited to 1.5kW and will be assigned a conservative fixed export limit.

Individual solar inverters can be managed by a CSIP-AUS Gateway based on net meter data supplied by the inverter's own meter.

Multiple solar inverters can be managed by a single CSIP-AUS Gateway and net power meter.

EV Chargers

All Level 2 EV Chargers installed in Queensland are required to have a CSIP-AUS connection for utility EV Load Control.

Any number of EV Chargers can be installed provided they are managed by a single CSIP-AUS Gateway.

EV chargers can be indirectly limited via Dynamic Import if a net meter is added to the site.

Solar and EV Chargers

In sites with a combination of CSIP-AUS controlled solar PV and EV Chargers, a single CSIP-AUS Gateway is required to provide Dynamic Export and Dynamic Import control:

A single CSIP-AUS Gateway can manage both solar inverters and EV chargers, providing comprehensive control for the entire system.

Supported Inverters and Devices

Use our compatibility tool to verify if Combined Energy is an approved CSIP-AUS provider for your specific device with your local electricity distributor.

Check Compatibility

The CET EMU can manage multiple supported inverters concurrently.

CSIP-AUS guidelines mandate a single CSIP-AUS Gateway for sites with multiple devices requiring flexible export/import management.

Want to find out more?

Download our brochure to learn about our CSIP-AUS implementation