On system strength, the report notes that the timely delivery of synchronous condensers and transmission augmentations remains the primary means of maintaining fault levels as coal retires, but grid-forming BESS is explicitly named as an alternative or supplementary solution under active consideration.
“The consideration of additional synchronous condensers, grid-forming battery energy storage systems or other alternative solutions will continue promptly to support system strength in the NEM,” the report states.
The report distinguishes between two tiers of system-strength provision. Grid-forming BESS has demonstrated the ability to support voltage waveform stability, one component of system strength that has historically required synchronous machines.
What it has not yet been confirmed to deliver at scale is protection-quality fault current, the higher standard required to meet minimum system strength levels under the National Electricity Rules.
AEMO is proposing to address this gap directly, announcing plans to procure Type 2 Transitional Services to trial whether grid-forming inverters can provide protection-quality fault current in real grid conditions.
