Consumer Energy Systems Providing Cost-Effective Grid Support

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The CONSORT Bruny Island Battery Trial successfully developed and demonstrated an innovative automated control platform that enables consumers with battery systems to provide support to a constrained electricity network. It continues to do so in a way that is of maximum benefit to both the consumer and the network.Key resultsA world first for DER coordination: distributed solving of optimal power flow in live operations.~33% reduction in diesel consumption over all trial peaks, using a maximum of just 34 installed battery/PV systems.A clear demonstration of the value of battery coordination: automatic coordination of battery systems was shown to double their effectiveness in reducing consumption of diesel during peak events, at net benefit to both battery owners and the network.A unique and extensive body of social science and economics research on consumer attitudes to new energy technologies, network support, and how to fairly reward customers for providing this support. A key recommendation is the importance of taking into account social research into issues like the uncertainty of consumer participation in DER, the diversity of customer responses to DER, the distinction between early adopters and others, and the issue of how consumers understand complex systems, when rolling out new energy technologies.

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