Interoperability
Interoperability refers to the ability of different information technology systems, devices, and software applications to communicate, exchange, and use data accurately, effectively, and consistently in both directions.
ACES is an active member of a national steering committee dedicated to advancing the development and implementation of technical standards that enhance interoperability. These efforts are critical to enabling the seamless integration of distributed energy resources (DER) into Australia’s evolving energy system.
The Distributed Energy Integration Program (DEIP)—a collaborative initiative involving government agencies, market bodies, industry stakeholders, and consumer groups—hosts the Interoperability Steering Committee (ISC), which leads this important work.
Find out more about DEIP.
Find out more about the ISC.
Standardising protocols for Distributed Energy Resources (DER): CSIP-AUS
The Common Smart Inverter Profile - Australia (CSIP-AUS) serves as a pivotal standard for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) management in Australia. Designed to facilitate robust and secure communication between DERs and utility networks, CSIP-AUS is integral in navigating the complexities of modern energy systems in Australia.
Understanding CSIP-AUS
CSIP-AUS is an adaptation of the CSIP standard developed in California, USA, adjusted to meet Australia’s unique needs. It is based on the IEEE 2030.5 (SEP2) protocol, a global standard for secure and interoperable communication between energy resources and grid operators. The rapid installation of residential solar and batteries across Australia is transforming the way we generate and consume electricity, making coordination and management of these valuable assets represents a great opportunity and significant challenge. CSIP-AUS addresses the key challenges of integrating rooftop solar systems and home batteries, and the dynamic management of energy loads. By enabling dynamic export, emergency backstop mechanisms, and load control capabilities, CSIP-AUS ensures that Australia’s electricity grid operators can maintain grid stability and reliability as the energy landscape transitions.
CSIP-AUS adoption in Australia
After several trials around the country leading up to it and informing its creation, CSIP-AUS v1.0 was released by the DER Integration Technical Working Group in September 2021.
South Australia has offered Flexible Exports as an option to customers since 2021, with all inverters required to be compliant from July 2023.
Queensland has offered Dynamic Connections as an opt-in connection option for customers since late 2022.
Victoria has mandated that the Emergency Backstop Mechanism is enabled (using CSIP-AUS) on new systems installed from October 2024
The NSW Government has announced its intention to mandate CSIP-AUS for its Emergency Backstop Mechanism from June 2026
The Western Australia Government has announced that Synergy will use the CSIP-AUS protocol to communicate with assets for the purposes of VPP orchestration, emergency backstop measures and to manage and limit exports to the grid from 2025.
National consistency
Currently, the requirements governing CSIP-AUS testing and certification varies for each jusridiction. With several jurisdictions now mandating its use, the Australian National University (ANU) is leading the establishment of a nationally consistent testing and certification service to support CSIP-AUS deployment across Australia.
Benefits of nationally consistent testing and certification include:
Single ‘front door’ and certification process for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), irrespective of where in Australia they wish to operate
Reduced complexity and cost for OEMs by avoiding divergent technical requirements across different jurisdictions or regions, and
Consistent national roadmap for future technical functionality and operations across Australia
Please see CSIP-AUS certification for further details of the new nationally consistent testing and certification service under development.
Future roadmap
The future development of CSIP-AUS continues to be spearheaded by the DER Integration API Technical Working Group (DERIAPITWG) under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Distributed Energy Integration Program (DEIP). The future roadmap focuses on expanding the standard beyond the current IEEE 2030.5 framework to develop a comprehensive communication protocol tailored to enable the safe, reliable adoption of DER for Australian conditions.
The ANU’s national testing and certification service will introduce the first new variation of CSIP-AUS (version 1.2), which will become the mandated version across many jurisdictions from mid-2026.
Find out more information at www.csipaus.org
