'Murray Five' solar farms get approval to resume full energy output
Five big solar farms in Victoria and NSW have been allowed to resume full supply of power after the electricity market operator and an equipment supplier managed to resolve grid stability issues.
The plants, four of which are in western Victoria and the other near Broken, had been restricted since last September to supplying only half their full capacity of more then 350 megawatts because of congestion on the local grid.
Gannawarra Solar Farm in western Victoria, was one of the plants to have its output cut in half in September 2019 by AEMO.
A week of tests overseen by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and SMA Australia monitored the performance both individually and as a group of the five solar farms. Engineers used a technical fix to inverters at the plants to smooth power supplies.
"It went well - all generators are very pleased with the outcome," said Scott Partlin, an executive with SMA Australia. The company supplied inverters - which modulate voltage - to all five farms.
Mr Partlin said collaboration was key to resolving the issue and could prove to be a useful template for fixing such matters if they arise again in the future.
"Once the curtailed generator issues are resolved, we understand the commissioning and connection of other affected generators in the Western Murray Zone will commence," the spokeswoman said.
"This process needs to include sufficient information sharing and be well project-managed to give investors the ability to mitigate further risks arising from continuing delays to committed projects."
AEMO was contacted for comment.