Industry Partners: What the WA Government's announcement means for you
The WA State Government, alongside the Australian Federal Government, has announced new initiatives to support the uptake and installation of household rooftop solar and battery storage solutions, helping more Western Australians transition to a renewable energy future.
Meeting Synergy’s DER functionality requirements is a condition of the WA Residential Battery Scheme eligibility, which has implications for technology providers, equipment retailers and installers.
To meet these eligibility requirements:
- Technology providers and inverter manufacturers must ensure their solutions meet Synergy’s DER Functionality Requirements and Utility Interconnection Handbook. Solutions must also be tested and approved for inclusion on our Supported Solutions List under the ‘DER-storage’ category.
- Equipment retailers must register with Synergy and ensure customers are provided with eligible equipment.
- Installers will need to follow updated installation and commissioning requirements, complete system capability testing, and register with Synergy.
To support your readiness, we've created a dedicated industry support page with tailored resources, technical information and frequently asked questions covering:
- The adoption of Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP-Aus) standards
- The process of applying for inclusion on Synergy’s Supported Solutions List, including the staged approach to meeting the technical requirements
- How equipment retailers can register with Synergy
- Access to installer training
- Technical documentation
- Frequently asked questions and relevant resources
For more information about the WA Residential Battery Scheme, visit the WA State Government website.
Update on Synergy’s supported solutions list
Synergy has been working closely with a large group of technology providers, including inverter and gateway manufacturers, to support their progress towards inclusion on Synergy’s supported solutions list.
The supported solutions list will soon be published and will be regularly updated as additional technology providers meet the listing requirements.
In the interest of providing visibility to industry of the progress towards inclusion on the supported solutions list, Synergy will release an overview of the current status of technology providers who have applied. This will be updated regularly in the lead up to 1 July to provide guidance to industry.
General FAQs
- What are the benefits of CSIP-Aus?
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CSIP-Aus enables broad coverage of required capabilities for remote monitoring and control of DER through a standardised pathway. It further supports national alignment and simplifies connection to multiple jurisdictions for technology providers. It also offers a consistent pathway for future third party integrators to align with Synergy market services within the SWIS.
- What is Common Smart Inverter Profile – Australia (CSIP-Aus)?
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CSIP-Aus is a national standardised communication protocol that simplifies interoperability between DER assets and our remote management server. It was created through the collaborative efforts of Australian energy sector businesses from across the supply chain, including retailers, distribution networks, equipment manufacturers and aggregators.
- What does the WA Government’s announcement mean for industry?
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The announcement outlines key settings for the WA Residential Battery Scheme and defines the eligibility and technical requirements that technology providers, equipment retailers and installers must meet in order to participate.
Technology providers and inverter manufacturers FAQs
- How will Synergy support technology providers during this transition?
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Synergy recognises that some capabilities, including the storage extensions to CSIP-Aus, are new to many technology providers. To support a smooth transition, we have introduced a staged approach that allows providers to obtain a provisional listing while capabilities are being delivered and tested.
Achieving a provisional listing requires minimal integration testing and submission of a formalised delivery plan outlining how remaining requirements will be met. This approach enables technology providers to participate in the scheme promptly while progressing toward full compliance at a manageable pace. - As a technology provider, how do I get my products listed for inclusion in the scheme?
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The process for inclusion on Synergy’s Supported Solutions List is outlined in detail on our website.
Technology providers must apply through our website to have their products listed on the Supported Solutions List. Following submission of your application, we will contact you to discuss the next steps and provide access to the testing environment for our CSIP-Aus utility server.
- What are the eligibility requirements for technology providers to participate in the WA residential battery scheme?
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Technology providers and inverter manufacturers must provide solutions that conform to Synergy’s DER Functionality Requirements and Utility Interconnection Handbook. Solutions must be tested and approved for inclusion on Synergy’s Supported Solutions List under the ‘DER-storage’ listing category.
Equipment retailers and installers FAQs
- As a retailer, how can I participate in Synergy’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) products?
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Synergy will be providing specific product information on its new VPP products to equipment retailers and installers in coming weeks. For updates and further details, please visit our VPP product information page.
- How will Synergy’s DER Functionality Requirements apply to new and upgraded installations?
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Synergy’s DER Functionality Requirements will be implemented progressively and will eventually apply to all new and upgraded inverter-connected DER systems with an aggregate capacity of 30kVA or less. For sites where new assets (such as PV or storage) are added to existing installations, the entire system, including existing assets, must be made compliant through a single control solution.
- Is training available to help installers meet Synergy’s DER Functionality Requirements?
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To support compliance with Synergy’s DER Functionality Requirements, an installer training module will be available from early June. This training will guide installers through the updated installation, commissioning and capability testing processes, including the use of Synergy’s Installer Test Tool.
Completion of this training will be required for all installers working on systems participating in the WA Residential Battery Scheme. - What are the key requirements for installers under Synergy’s DER Functionality Requirements?
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Installers must follow Synergy’s installation and commissioning instructions, register installations and complete capability testing for all new and upgraded systems subject to the DER Functionality Requirements. This includes using Synergy’s Installer Test Tool to verify compliance.
- What are the eligibility requirements for equipment retailers to participate in the scheme?
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EPWA and the scheme administrator will confirm full requirements related to equipment retailers and installers. Visit EPWA for more information.
As part of this broader set of requirements, to participate in the scheme, equipment retailers must register with Synergy and ensure they supply customers with eligible equipment listed on Synergy’s Supported Solutions List under the ‘DER-storage’ listing category.
Retailers are also responsible for ensuring their installers, whether direct employees or subcontractors, have completed Synergy’s installer training module and comply with the required installation, commissioning, and capability testing standards.