The joint will expand on earlier work commissioned by CSIRO in 2008. In addition to considering different scenarios and case studies, the project will look at the ability of renewable energy technologies to integrate into a network.

Energy Networks Association Chief Executive Andrew Blyth said that the project will prepare network businesses for higher penetration of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic solar panels.

“Specifically, the study will allow network businesses to better plan and design their grids to cope with the uptake of renewable generation technology. This will be done by modelling a range of different embedded generation scenarios,” Mr Blyth said.

The report is expected to be completed by November 2010.