Supercell storm in Queensland exposes critical gaps in grid edge visibility
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As Queensland braces for destructive winds, flash flooding, and giant hailstones, a recent PV Magazine article featuring Dr Yogendra Vashishtha, Head of Future Networks at EA Technology Australia, highlights the increasing vulnerability of Australia’s low-voltage (LV) electricity network and the urgent need for greater visibility and resilience at the grid edge.
Dr Vashishtha explains that the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) are now focusing on assigning a Value to Network Resilience (VNR) – an essential step toward strengthening the grid against extreme weather events.
While the rapid rise of DER and CER — including rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicles – presents new operational challenges, these assets can also form part of the solution. When combined with grid-edge intelligence, they enable communities to maintain power during disruptions.
Dr Vashishtha emphasises that “grid-edge visibility and distributed intelligence is now a frontline defence against extreme weather.” By equipping DNSPs with real-time data, networks can isolate faults faster, reconfigure efficiently, and restore power more safely.
EA Technology’s real-time monitoring device, VisNet Hub – already proven in one-fifth of the UK’s LV network – delivers actionable insights at the grid edge. This advanced monitoring tool not only enhance resilience during severe storms but also detect pre-faults in LV cables, preventing major outages and improving community energy security.
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