Communication and control requirements for High Voltage (HV) embedded generators are being updated to comply with amended NSW licence conditions for an Emergency Backstop Mechanism. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) will become the standard communication and control method for HV embedded generation connections.
Who this applies to
The updated requirements apply to HV embedded generation projects where:
- Essential Energy issues a preliminary enquiry response after 30 June 2026; or
- A connection agreement has not been signed by 1 January 2027.
Projects with a signed connection agreement before 1 January 2027 are not affected by these updated requirements.
Upgraded licence conditions
The NSW Government is amending electricity distribution licence conditions for NSW distribution network service providers, including Essential Energy, to introduce the Emergency Backstop Mechanism. These conditions require networks to be able to temporarily reduce solar exports or pause generation during rare emergency conditions, and only when directed by the Australian Energy Market Operator.
Affected systems must be able to receive and respond to operational limits during Minimum System Load events to help protect power system security.
For HV embedded generation, Essential Energy is applying these obligations through SCADA communication and control requirements.
What is changing?
HV embedded generation systems will need to include a SCADA solution using an Essential Energy-owned remote terminal unit installed at the customer’s premises.
The customer’s generator controller must be able to receive limits from the SCADA remote terminal unit and respond within the required timeframe. Alternative communications such as CSIP-AUS may be considered for smaller systems, subject to Essential Energy approval.
How to prepare for the change
If your application is already in progress: contact the Connections Co-ordinator assigned to your project to discuss timing and whether any design changes may be required.
For future applications: consider these requirements during design development and include SCADA remote terminal unit communications where applicable. For detailed technical requirements, refer to Technical Standard CEOS7903, Embedded Generation - SCADA Connection and Emergency Backstop Requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the communication and control requirements for embedded generators?
1.CSIP-AUS is Common Smart Inverter Profile – Australia enabling smart inverters and other distributed energy resources to communicate with the electricity network.Embedded generation scope Size and network Network connection Communication requirements Solar PV / DC coupled batteries Less than 200kW Low voltage CSIP-AUS1 Solar PV / DC coupled batteries 200kW to 1.5MW Low voltage CSIP-AUS or SCADA2 All embedded generation3 200kW to 1.5MW High voltage SCADA (standard) or CSIP-AUS2 All embedded generation3 1.5MW to 4.99MW
(Chapter 5A)High voltage SCADA All embedded generation ≥5MW
(Chapter 5)High voltage Managed by AEMO
(SCADA typical)All embedded generation3 ≥5MW
(Chapter 5 Non-Registered)High voltage SCADA
2.Subject to Essential Energy’s approval.
3.All Embedded Generation is inclusive of battery energy storage systems and zero export sites. -
Will emergency backstop requirements apply if I add a BESS to an existing HV generator?Yes, if the change requires a new or updated connection assessment, communication and control requirements apply.
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Can I still import electricity from the grid during an MSL event?Yes. Electricity can still be imported from the grid within agreed limits during an event.
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How do SCADA operating limits work?
Projects using SCADA operate with a static operating envelope (SOE). This sets the site’s fixed import and export limit profiles based on the connection assessment.
During a Minimum System Load event, the SCADA remote terminal unit sends limits to the customer’s generator controller. The generator controller must respond within 10 minutes. Customers can continue importing electricity from the grid during an event, within agreed limits.
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What is the estimated cost of SCADA RTU communications and maintenance?
SCADA remote terminal unit communications are expected to cost approximately $30,000 to $60,000 per site, depending on the size and design of the system. This generally includes design, hardware, installation and testing.
Essential Energy will carry out regular SCADA remote terminal unit inspections and maintenance. Customers are responsible for maintaining the connection between their generator controller and the SCADA remote terminal unit, and for paying inspection and maintenance costs.
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What does a typical SCADA architecture diagram look like?
The diagram below provides a high-level overview of a typical SCADA communication and control arrangement for an HV embedded generation connection.
