PV-Rich Communities, Storage, and Flexibility: The Need for Distribution System Operators presented by Luis(Nando) Ochoa

Australia has currently the largest residential photovoltaic (PV) penetration in the world, with almost 1 in 5 houses with the technology. Battery storage systems are also becoming attractive as they allow storing excess PV generation during the day to use it later at night. However, PV-rich communities will pose significant technical and economic challenges on distribution networks - but also some opportunities. For this PV-rich future to thrive, more intelligent, flexible electricity networks, also known as Smart Grids, are likely to play an important role. But for Smart Grids to emerge, the traditional Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) needs to evolve into an engaged, flexible Distribution System Operator (DSO) in which network elements and participants (consumers, generators, and those that do both) are actively managed to fulfill technical, economic, and environmental objectives. This talk will present and discuss the different challenges of PV-rich communities, the role of adequately