Greentech–Enphase integration enables smart grid

Energy tech company GreenSync and Enphase Energy — a global manufacturer of smart solar microinverters and AC batteries — have announced the integration of Enphase technology with GreenSync’s Decentralised Energy Exchange (deX), a market-enabling software platform designed to connect and coordinate millions of distributed energy resources (DER).

The integration will enable Enphase customers to support the development of, and participate in, grid services to more effectively balance the supply and demand of electricity, making supply more secure and enabling the continued growth of household solar within Australia’s energy mix.

During a two-week pilot phase, Enphase customers across electricity networks in South Australia and Victoria registered their system with deX. These customers have seamlessly connected to deX and, with their consent, enabled near-instant visibility of their system to the local network operator.

Following the success of this pilot, which saw a 20% participation rate, Enphase customers in Tasmania and Western Australia will also get the chance to participate in deX, which GreenSync sees as a turnkey solution to high-volume renewable grids in the near and long term.

“By providing better visibility and intelligence to those operating the grid, Enphase Energy hopes to contribute to the easing of restrictions on distributed energy resources such as zero export limits, and the systems tripping from high-voltage issues,” Enphase Energy Asia-Pacific Managing Director Wilf Johnston said.

“Not only are we delivering even greater value to Enphase system owners by improving their return on investment, we are also contributing to a smarter, better-managed electricity grid. This is a win for all stakeholders and the broader community as we seek to better support the growth of residential rooftop solar resources in Australia.”

In time, Enphase systems registered with deX will have the opportunity to get more value from their energy assets while supporting their local community and the overall electricity network.

“Enphase customers want to be part of the solution here in Australia, and we have the smart technology to make this possible. Prior to this pilot, we had no avenue to do so,” Johnston said.

“This program with deX demonstrates the capability of smart DER technology. By working with deX, we can provide data and behavioural insights that Australian grid operators need right now to meet the challenges of the rapid penetration of residential rooftop solar.”

The single integration between the deX and Enphase’s application program interfaces (APIs) offers renewable energy manufacturers a simple solution to the otherwise laborious task of integrating with multiple networks and technologies.

“Our job as a manufacturer is to sell solar technology. We don’t want to have to integrate separately with each network’s individual system,” Johnston said.

“With deX, we only need to integrate once and the data from Enphase systems can flow through to deX and be visible to any networks with their software. This is a smart, simple approach.”

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