BESS and Grid-Forming Technologies: Moving from Theory to Bankability

Synopsis

This session will explore the practical implementation challenges and financial viability of grid-forming technologies in Australia’s evolving energy landscape, examining both the technical and commercial pathways to widespread adoption.

• How are grid-forming inverters transforming the capabilities of large-scale BESS projects and enhancing system strength?
• Which technical breakthroughs in inverters, controls, and system integration are proving bankable versus those still considered experimental?
• What lessons from early Australian grid-forming deployments can be applied to future projects, and how transferable are these lessons to other regions?
• Are current revenue models and system strength charges (SSC) sufficient to justify grid-forming investments, or are developers betting on future rule changes?
• How is VPP aggregation scaling across residential and C&I sectors to provide grid-forming capabilities?
• What technical innovations are enabling battery systems to operate effectively at scale while maintaining stability?