Engineering pathways to net-zero
Who We Are
net-zero is a unique consultancy that provides engineering services as well as industrial control solutions for the renewable & hybrid energy sector. With significant experience in designing, deploying and maintaining renewable infrastructure, we are your partner to support projects that transition to a net-zero future.
Recent Projects
Brigalow Solar Farm QLD
Project execution services & Â R2 data logger
GLSG's is part of a global leader in the delivery of over 1GW of large scale renewable energy projects. Teaming up with GLSG in early 2019 and through close collaboration with GLSGSA's high performance international team, net-zero have been responsible for all facets of project delivery from project development through to solar farm construction and R2 commissioning including generator approval with AEMO and the respective NSPs. net-zero provided the R2 data logger to capture high resolution PPC and inverter data to allow for rapid fault resolution and improved data analysis.
Oscillation protection system
Finding a solution for compliance with S5.2.5.10
net-zero's team used its unique mix of experience in control systems and energy systems to develop an Oscillation protection system for a solar farm on the NEM to the NSP and AEMO's satisfaction. The system uses advanced computational techniques not only to detect an oscillation but also to determine if the connected farm is contributing to the oscillation, in which case it will automatically coordinate a graceful disconnection from the network. The system uses the existing PQ meter and communications infrastructure to minimise integration complexity and cost.
Fringe of Grid Stand alone power
Bustard Head Lighthouse off-grid
Ergon had determined that the historic Bustard head lighthouse's difficult to access SWER line was no longer viable to maintain. net-zero provided engineering services to the EPC PortaGrid to provide the RPEQ and CEC accredited design for the solution, in addition to the customised monitoring system that provides Ergon and the lighthouse customer live access to the status of the site. Image source Ergon Press Release
Solar Farm MV Kiosk
Integrated solution for mid-scale solar farm connections with NOJA GMK
net-zero provided Engineering design support from project concept to commissioning, including developing the communications and SCADA solution for including with what was the first SMA PPM in Australia. In addition, net-zero Co-developed a Ground Mount 22kV Kiosk with NOJA Power which supported all critical communication functions, secondary protection, backup power, revenue, PQ metering and HV switching.
Energy Smoothing System
Meeting Horizon Power's stringent requirements in islanded grids.
The team developed a Solar BESS hybrid smoothing system to meet Horizon Power’s stringent connection requirements for a 12 minute ramp down to increase stability and reduce spinning reserve requirements on small islanded networks. The control is based on net-zero's GMC platform, and associated monitoring infrastructure.
Our Solutions
Control & Monitoring Platforms
net-zero has deployed a bespoke control and monitoring platform for a number of applications including:
- High speed syncronised data capture for R2 commissioning and fault analysis
- Oscillation protection to S5.2.5.10
- PV Battery smoothing compliant to Horizon Power's stringent GMS
- Interfacing to Utility communication systems for RDS
- Data push to third party web services, or net-zero's own bespoke cloud platform
- PPC light control functions such as frequency droop based on PSCAD designs
- net-zero optimisation of battery discharge based on load, load control and zero export control
Development services
net-zero has supported the development of PV, Hybrid and BESS solutions up to 300MW, and can offer services such as:
- feasibility studies
- energy yield studies (PVSyst, HOMER)
- concept layouts and electrical drawings
- management of specialist engineering consultants selected by the developer, or utilise our existing network of partners
- cost estimation
Commissioning services & complex fault analysis
net-zero's extensive experience in commissioning and operating solar farms, makes it well placed to manage hot commissioning & R2 compliance testing. In addition, these skills make net-zero well placed to support O&M and EPC teams in analysing complex issues in the site SCADA, communications and control systems.
Grid Connection services
Grid connections and integration have become significantly more demanding over recent years. net-zero has hands on experience with modelling, the connection application process and R2 commissioning. net-zero's team have worked closely with multiple OEM's, TNSP's and Grid connection consultant's to find pragmatic solutions to complex integration challenges.