Optimizing Power Transformer Performance in Renewable-Powered Grids

Find out in the CSE journal how an Australian utility is future proofing the management of their power transformers during the transition to a renewables dominant grid. Similarly to many areas, the energy landscape in New South Wales is undergoing a significant transformation with the integration of solar farms and battery energy storage systems (BESS) into the MV distribution grid. The Australian utilities have therefore been investigating the impacts of these systems on zone substation infrastructure, which was mostly designed before the need to handle large reverse flows of power. The challenge becomes one of optimisation of existing capacity and understanding options to improve network utilisation, especially as the community is also changing the utilisation by installing rooftop PV and household batteries.