Victoria’s Emergency Backstop Mechanism
Emergency Backstop for rooftop solar systems
To manage the risks of an MSL event occurring, the Victorian Government implemented a mechanism to ensure customers can continue to enjoy renewable energy solutions safely, securely and affordably into the future. Known as the Emergency Backstop Mechanism, the changes apply to new, replacement and upgraded solar systems connected to an electricity network like Jemena’s.
You can read more about the changes on the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action of Victoria (DEECA) website here.
Requirements of the Emergency Backstop Mechanism
New, upgraded and replacement solar systems installed on Jemena’s Electricity Network must be able to be accessed remotely so we can manage the amount of solar being generated if an MSL event occurs.
Should an MSL event occur, Jemena will be directed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) or an equivalent regulator to reduce solar exports, so customers can continue using their solar generated electricity for self-consumption. If the grid remains insecure, we may need to switch systems off altogether for a short period of time.
1. Choose a compliant inverter
2. Keep your inverter connected
3. Check Jemena approval
What is the Emergency Backstop Mechanism?
The Emergency Backstop Mechanism is a grid-security safeguard mandated by the Victorian Government. It ensures that new, upgraded or replacement rooftop solar systems are capable of being remotely controlled only during rare but unstable operation periods called Minimum System Load (MSL) events, which occur especially when solar export is high, but electricity demand is low.
Emergency Backstop Exempt/Non-Exempt Scenarios for Embedded Generation and Storage system Installations up to 200 kVA (inclusive) with Internet Connectivity
|
Case |
Existing/legacy (if installed and approved before 1st Oct 2024) (Can be solar; battery; or solar and battery) |
New |
Backstop |
|
1 |
Solar |
Solar |
Only new solar required backstop (CSIP AUS) |
|
2 |
Solar |
AC coupled battery |
Non-backstop EG application (provided existing solar remain unchanged) |
|
3 |
Solar (inverter changed) |
DC coupled battery with new multimode inverter |
Both existing solar and battery required backstop as they share same hybrid inverter (CSIP AUS) |
|
4 |
Solar |
DC coupled battery connecting to existing legacy multimode inverter |
Non-backstop EG application (provided existing solar remain unchanged) |
|
5 |
Solar |
Solar + AC coupled battery |
Only new solar required backstop (CSIP AUS); new AC coupled battery not required backstop |
|
6 |
Solar |
Solar + DC coupled battery, i.e. battery and solar are connected to the same multimode inverter |
New solar and new DC coupled battery required backstop (CSIP AUS), as they share same hybrid inverter |
|
7 |
Nothing |
Solar |
New solar required backstop (CSIP AUS) |
|
8 |
Nothing |
AC coupled battery |
Non-backstop EG application |
|
9 |
Nothing |
Solar + AC coupled battery |
Only new solar required backstop (CSIP AUS); New AC coupled battery not required backstop |
|
10 |
Nothing |
Solar + DC coupled battery, i.e. battery and solar are connected to the same multimode inverter |
New solar and new DC coupled battery required backstop (CSIP AUS) as they share same hybrid inverter |
Note:
· This table is only applicable for generation systems with a total capacity of up to 200kVA (inclusive).
· ‘Nothing’ means no existing embedded generation or storage
· New hybrid solar and battery inverters connecting to solar PV panels will need to be emergency backstop enabled.
· For case 5 and 9, where there are both new solar and new AC coupled battery, please ensure the site export limit is 5kVA per phase for basic connection applications or as per offer schedule for negotiated connection applications.
· For non-backstop EG applications, such as new AC coupled battery only, the site must fulfill the following requirements:
o The connection is for a new battery storage system only and does not include new or additional solar generation
o The supply address:
§ Does not have an existing solar system; or
§ Does have an existing solar system, but the existing solar system was:
§ Installed and approved prior to 1 October 2024; or
§ Is emergency backstop enabled
o The new battery is on CEC approved inverter list and its inverter setting is AS4777:2:2020 (Region: Australia A: Volt Watt and Volt Var response settings enabled) Australian Standards
o The Current Transformer (CT) for export limit monitoring of the new battery is installed and located at MSB (incoming cable to MSB).
· Note: In accordance with legal requirements relating to emergency backstop, where a new battery storage system is installed at a supply address with existing solar generation that is not emergency backstop enabled and was installed and approved on or after 1 October 2024, export capability may be limited until additional commissioning and compliance steps have been undertaken to ensure that we can successfully communicate with the solar system and emergency backstop capability is verified.