Distributed Energy Resources - DER
We're evolving how we plan and operate the distribution network so customer energy can do more for homes, businesses and the community.
More Western Australians are installing distributed energy resources; rooftop solar, batteries and EVs. We're making it safer and easier for these resources to connect, be visible and work together across the South West Interconnected System; not just to power homes, but to help customers play a more active role in the energy transition.
As the Distribution System Operator (DSO), we make sure this energy is safely connected, visible across the network, and able to be used to support the system when and where it's needed most.
This work builds on the WA Government’s DER Roadmap, which set the strategy for integrating more customer energy across the system.
What this means for you
- New ways to get value from your energy - virtual power plants, offered through your energy retailer, reward customers for using their solar or battery to support the network
- More renewable energy used locally - more solar, batteries and EVs connecting safely and working together across the community
- Faster, clearer connections - simpler pathways and more options to connect solar, batteries and EVs to suit your energy needs
- More flexible export limits - moving away from fixed limits so you can export more when the network has capacity and less when it's busy
- Opportunities to support the network - certain customers can be rewarded for adjusting how and when they use or supply energy at times of high demand
How we got here and where we’re heading
Integrating customer energy into the electricity system is a journey that’s been underway since 2020. Working with government, industry and energy partners, we’ve moved from early pilots and trials to building the real capability needed to coordinate solar, batteries and EVs at scale. Here’s how that journey has unfolded and what’s ahead.
The WA Government released the DER Roadmap, setting the strategy for integrating more customer energy, including rooftop solar and batteries, across the electricity system. Early pilots like PowerBank tested how community-scale battery storage could work for households.
Project Symphony, a world-first trial in the southern suburbs of Perth, proved that virtual power plants are technically feasible in WA. The WA Government also released its EV Action Plan.
Project Encore improved how virtual power plants perform. Western Power’s investment case to build Distribution System Operator (DSO) capabilities and deliver Project Jupiter was approved.
Project Jupiter begins building the functionality for virtual power plants to operate at scale. Western Power achieves its foundation DSO capability milestone. Network Support Services launch, and the WA Residential Battery Scheme supports more households to install batteries. Real-world testing of VPP operations gets underway.
Customer energy starts being used for real network and system value. Larger fleets of solar and batteries are coordinated through virtual power plants for the first time.
Customer energy makes a measurable difference across the system. Hundreds of megawatts of solar, batteries and EVs participate at scale, supporting reliability and making better use of renewable energy across the network.
Our role
We act as the enabler of customer energy and community batteries across the network, making it possible for solar, batteries and EVs to be used safely and effectively at scale across the SWIS.
We set technical requirements, maintain visibility of what's connecting, and use that information to plan and operate the network as more renewable energy comes online.
Together, this enables dynamic connections, network support services and virtual power plants; allowing customer energy to play a bigger role in the energy system.
Working together to enable more customer energy
Integrating solar, batteries and EVs across the energy system is a shared effort. We work closely with others across the industry to make this possible:
- Energy retailers design and offer programs, like virtual power plants, that allow customers to use their solar and batteries to support the system
- AEMO operates the energy market and helps coordinate how these programs are used across the system
- Energy Policy WA sets the policies and rules that guide how customer energy is integrated safely and fairly
What we're doing now
Project Jupiter
Together with Synergy, AEMO and Energy Policy WA, and supported by ARENA, we're delivering Project Jupiter to enable solar and batteries to be coordinated at scale in the SWIS through virtual power plants. By 2028, every new solar and battery system will not just be connected but visible, compliant, and able to be used to support the energy system.
This means customer energy can play a more active role, creating new opportunities for customers to earn value from their solar and batteries, while helping keep the system reliable and making better use of renewable energy. Learn more about Project Jupiter.
More flexible connections
Dynamic connections and operating envelopes use local network conditions to adjust import and export limits in near real time. Instead of a single fixed limit, export levels change based on what's happening on the network. Customers can export more when there's capacity, while keeping the network operating within safe limits for everyone.
This makes it easier to connect solar and batteries, even in areas where the network is already busy, and creates a more flexible pathway for larger systems up to 30kVA.
Network Support Services
Sometimes the fastest and most cost-effective way to relieve local network constraints is through flexibility. Network Support Services work with customers and energy providers to shift or shape energy use, or discharge stored energy, at specific times and locations.
Instead of always building new infrastructure, this approach helps reduce pressure on the network, support local reliability, and make better use of existing capacity, while creating opportunities for service providers to be rewarded for supporting the system. See our current network support service opportunities. View current opportunities through our Interactive Network Opportunities Map.
Keeping the system safe and fair
Safety, quality and privacy remain essential. We use standards, advanced meters and local visibility to manage voltage and power quality. Data is used to plan and operate the distribution network, improve services, and check compliance with technical requirements. We only use or share data in line with legal and regulatory obligations.
Your options today
- Considering solar or a battery? Check connection and export requirements and talk to an accredited installer.
- Interested in community batteries?
- Can you provide Network Support Services opportunities? Current opportunities can be viewed in our Interactive Network Opportunities Map.
- Want to join a VPP? Speak with your retailer or an approved aggregator about available offers such as virtual power plants when they become available.
- Need technical guidance? Review our connection guidelines for small and commercial systems.
- Join the WA Residential Battery Scheme.
FAQs
Virtual power plants are run by energy aggregators. These are companies that connect lots of household solar panels and batteries and operate them together, like one big power plant. Some energy retailers also act as aggregators, but not all. If you have solar and a compatible battery, you may be able to sign up through an energy aggregator and VPP operator when programs become available. We don’t run these programs, but we enable them to operate safely on the network.
No. You're always in control. If you choose to join a virtual power plant, your aggregator may occasionally coordinate how your battery operates, for example charging when renewable energy is plentiful or discharging during high demand. Your home's energy needs are always prioritised, and depending on what program and provider you choose, you will receive payments or rewards for participating.
Customers can earn value by joining a VPP through an aggregator or VPP operator. We enable VPP’s to operate safely on the network – program terms, eligibility and payments are set by the provider. In some cases, customers or service providers can also participate in Network Support Services. View current opportunities through our Interactive Network Opportunities Map.
System size and export limits are set separately based on local network conditions and technical requirements. Dynamic connections allow export limits to vary over time, supporting more flexible connections, including larger systems up to 30kVA, by allowing more export when capacity is available and less when the network is busy.
Export limits are based on local network conditions, technical standards and safety requirements. In some cases a fixed limit applies; in others, limits can vary over time through dynamic connections to share available capacity more fairly.