The challenge
Supporting grid resilience in the face of transformation
Australia’s electricity system is rapidly transforming.
Rooftop solar, residential batteries and electric vehicles are shifting generation and demand to the distribution network. Combined with more extreme weather, remote grids and rising demand from energy intensive industries and data centres, this transformation is placing increasing pressure on grid stability and resilience.
To build a secure and reliable energy future, we need robust science and advanced testing environments that can model how emerging technologies behave under real-world conditions.
Our response
Simulating the future of Australia’s electricity grid
A major $3 million upgrade in 2025 more than doubled the facility’s power testing capacity, significantly expanding Australia’s ability to test, validate and commercialise emerging grid integration technologies.
The upgraded facility, located at the Newcastle Energy Centre, brings together renewable generation, grid and battery emulators, programmable loads, storage systems and real‑time digital simulation to replicate complex grid conditions.
Researchers can:
- simulate microgrids and grid faults
- test inverter and battery performance under realistic operating conditions
- run large‑scale experiments combining solar, batteries and electric vehicles
- verify standards compliance and control strategies
- investigate distributed energy resources under variable temperature and power quality conditions.
A key capability is vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) testing and demonstration using CCS2, Australia’s dominant electric vehicle (EV) charging standard. This shows how EVs can store excess solar energy and return power to the grid during peak demand, improving stability and solar self‑consumption.
CSIRO works with industry, government and research partners to deliver rigorous, independent testing that supports the safe and reliable integration of renewable energy technologies into Australia’s future grid.
The Renewable Energy Integration Facility upgrade was funded by the Department of Education’s Trailblazer Universities Program.
The results
Trusted research, tangible benefits
The REIF is delivering real-world insights into how distributed energy resources such as electric vehicles, batteries and rooftop solar can support a secure and flexible grid.
Research at the facility is strengthening confidence in the stability of future networks by testing:
- vehicle-to-grid systems
- advanced inverter controls
- battery storage under simulated grid controls
These capabilities are particularly important during extreme events such as heatwaves, when demand is high and system stress increases.
Australia faces unique challenges – including long, remote distribution networks, record levels of rooftop solar and growing demand from data centres. The Renewable Energy Integration Facility helps industry and market bodies design innovative solutions while providing a rigorous, independent environment to evaluate technologies before deployment.
With high‑speed data acquisition and more than 15 EV charging stations from Australian and global suppliers, the Renewable Energy Integration Facility enables comprehensive testing of next‑generation grid technologies.
The facility supports major innovation projects, informs standards development and delivers benefits for Australian households and businesses.
The REIF is open to external industry and research organisations for collaboration and commercialisation projects that help address energy sector challenges. Expressions of interest should be directed to EnergyEOI@csiro.au.
Australian start-ups and small to medium enterprises are encouraged to explore support through CSIRO’s KickStart Program.