Ergon Energy Network has gained significant experience in effective integration of energy storage through the Grid Utility Support System (GUSS) project in regional Queensland. The installation of 2MWh of distributed energy storage across 13 SWER (single wire earth return) networks over 18 months ago has provided us with insights and knowledge into specific challenges and opportunities with the integration of energy storage onto our networks.

The GUSS units have shown how energy storage is able to provide both capacity and voltage support on the SWER networks. Managing the systems to maximize system lifetime and minimise operating costs has matured and enabled the systems to operate autonomously. Through this management many operational challenges and their consequences have been resolved.

After over 18 months of field experiences, this paper/presentation is intended provide some insight into our operational learnings and challenges, as well as provide some of the background as to how these systems are effectively working to support our networks. The value of smart control and even smarter data monitoring and diagnostic tools has helped us to ensure GUSS is a valuable and reliable product for network support.