DER Interoperability Standards
Fast Facts.
The proliferation of DER (such as solar rooftop PV) is expected to continue to rise rapidly, with up to 50% of consumers having some form of DER device connected to the distribution network over the coming decade.
Interoperability standards for DER and IoT devices are still under development worldwide, with IEEE2030.5 emerging as the dominant set of technical standards relating to the connected home.
The Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP) was first implemented in California (through California Rule 21) and provides a methodology for the implementation of IEEE2030.5, as it relates to a server/client relationship between a network service providers and DER inverters for dynamic and static commands.
CSIP-AUS is a derivative of the original CSIP that is currently being developed by ARENA’s Distributed Energy Integration Program (DEIP) and Standards Australia for the Australian context.
There is an opportunity for CSIP-AUS to extend beyond the limits of IEE2030.5 and be an all-encompassing standard for the entire DER communication chain.
Background
What is CSIP-AUS?
Interoperability standards provide a minimum set of requirements for communication and security between devices. In the case of the CSIP, the minimum set of requirements is based on the format of the inputs that will be sent to a DER-connected inverter from a network service provider (NSP) in their role as distribution system operator (DSO) as a command for dynamic and autonomous control, including prescribed loss of communication protocols, status information and the management of aggregated inverters. While these commands are based on the IEEE2030.5 standard, CSIP only provides an implementation guide for a small section of the overall standard (specifically the parts of the standard that relate to DER inverters). The main distinction, at this point in time, between CSIP and CSIP-AUS is the inclusion of dynamic operating envelope (DOE) commands in the Australian version of the protocol.
Why do we need a common protocol?
Interoperability standards will be important for both consumers and regulators – providing customers with choice and flexibility; and providing regulators with system security controls through emergency backstop measures. As noted above, CSIP-AUS will provide a baseline standard for communication and security between the NSP/DSO and DER inverters. OEMs can add their own proprietary protocols and interfaces over the top of this minimum requirement, and service providers are not obliged to utilise the CSIP protocol in their communication with inverters; however, a mandatory requirement for the inverter to be able to receive messages in the CSIP-AUS prescribed format is what will allow interoperability to occur. This will provide consumers with choice in their equipment supplier and aggregator/retailer, as they can be assured that they can switch to another supplier without any disruption. It also allows regulators and system operators the ability to enable security features, such as emergency backstop measures, through these common commands, and to send DOE commands to DER inverters in the common format, rather than having to send OEM or service provider specific commands.
Key Issues
Who is responsible for the development of CSIP-AUS?
CSIP-AUS is being developed by the DER Integration API Technical Working Group (DERIAPITWG), under the DEIP, which is a collaboration of industry, market and consumer bodies. An initial implementation guide was released by DERIAPITWG in September 2021 that set out the initial criteria for compliance with CSIP-AUS, with a handbook now under development in collaboration with Standards Australia that is intended to replace the implementation guide with further detail and technical standards.
Who is responsible for the implementation of CSIP-AUS in the NEM?
DER interoperability standards are being investigated under the ESB’s Post-2025 market design process. The ESB recently undertook a consultation on its proposed implementation for CSIP-AUS, after commissioning FTI Consulting to design the implementation strategy. FTI have proposed an assessment framework that provides a set of technical features that are considered to be within the scope of the interoperability policy, and a set of criteria to assess each feature against to determine whether or not that feature should have mandatory standards applied to it.
Stakeholder feedback has now been published by the ESB following this consultation. The responses covered both the protocol itself and the proposed assessment framework. Some of the main themes are:
The feature sets available within the current CSIP-AUS implementation guide may be insufficient and overly network-focussed – potentially stifling innovation and leading to higher costs for consumers;
Interoperability standards, primarily CSIP-AUS/IEEE2030.5, are being tested through current and future DER aggregation trials throughout different Australian jurisdictions, meaning that dictating feature sets may be premature;
There is no clear governance framework for CSIP-AUS, and its implementation through a Standards Australia handbook may be problematic in this regard as it is not a regulatory instrument;
Expansion of the standard beyond current feature sets needs to be considered, as devices not included in CSIP-AUS may lead to adverse consumer outcomes because there will not be a standard applied at all levels of communication across all devices (e.g., electric vehicles and hot water heaters).
What is happening in Western Australia?
In the WEM, DER interoperability standards fall under Action 3 of the WA DER Roadmap. It was initially envisioned in the Roadmap that inverter standards would be harmonised with AS/NZS 4777. However, work on this standard has been significantly delayed and the WA DER program of work has had to move on. Rennie Partners understands that both Western Power and AEMO (who have joint responsibility for the implementation of Action 3) have aligned the WA program of work in relation to inverter standards with the national DEIP process. It is expected that some, if not all, of the functionality and requirements of CSIP-AUS will be tested through the forthcoming market trial in WA – Project Symphony.
Our Insights
Interoperability standards are key to consumer choice and flexibility. Without it, customers face being locked into a particular provider through proprietary systems. When interoperability standards are implemented properly, customers can be assured of the ability to change providers without having to make expensive upgrades or changes to their equipment. This applies equally to the inverter and connected end-use devices. It also enables regulators and system operators to take the necessary steps to ensure system security in a high-DER future in the most cost-efficient manner. This includes the ability to send commands in a variety of operating states to DER devices, with assurance that those commands will be understood and enacted by the devices they are intended to reach.
Having a single standard across all Australian jurisdictions will be an important step in ensuring that interoperability is achieved in the most cost-effective way for consumers, simplifying the compliance regime for OEMs, and providing NSPs and DSOs with the required level of assurance that they can control and communicate with devices as required. A standard that aligns to an international regime will mean OEMs are already familiar with the protocol and it can be applied to the Australian context more efficiently.
While the standard itself is maturing, it still has a long journey before it reaches its final form, and this may take several years. What this means is that the ESB and the WA Government both face a regulatory dilemma – risk aligning to a standard that is still being tested and developed, or risk not implementing a standard at all and having disparate command protocols in the market.
Adding to this dilemma is the apparent lack of a satisfactory governance regime for the implementation and administration of CSIP-AUS. We have the what, but we need the how. CSIP and IEEE2030.5 do not provide much assistance in this regard and a regulatory and compliance regime, including NEM and WEM Rules and/or procedures, NSP connection agreements and a certified testing scheme will need to be established to give force to the standard and ensure that devices actually comply. (Refer to our separate Insights article on the governance of DER technical standards on this issue.)
Finally, there is a large question mark over exactly what CSIP-AUS should apply to in terms of devices and interactions. The original CSIP only applies to DER-connected inverters in their communication with the NSP/DSO. DERIAPITWG has already progressed CSIP-AUS beyond the bounds of the original CSIP and, indeed, the IEEE2030.5 standard to the point where it may no longer actually comply with IEEE2030.5. If the imperative no longer exists for strict compliance with IEEE2030.5, and this is now only being used as a basis for an Australian version of the standard, then there is a significant opportunity to future proof the DER communication landscape through the application of CSIP-AUS beyond inverters to all NSP and DSO communication channels with end-use devices.
For more information, contact Simone Rennie at srennie@renniepartners.com.au
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