Power Electronics strengthens its leadership in grid-forming technology in Australia

Picture: Edify.

Power Electronics is strengthening its position as the technology and engineering leader for large-scale grid-forming projects in Australia, supporting developers and asset owners in delivering increasingly complex energy infrastructure with greater certainty from grid connection through to commercial operation.

The company's experience in the Australian market, advanced grid-forming technology and local engineering capabilities will be demonstrated at the Smoky Creek & Guthrie's Gap solar and battery hybrid projects in Central Queensland. Developed by Edify Energy, Power Electronics has signed an agreement with DT Infrastructure to supply the projects with an integrated solution designed to combine solar generation, battery energy storage and advanced network-support capabilities.

Power Electronics played an important role in the 600 MW projects by supplying 164 GEN 3 2.0 PCSM battery inverters, MV transformers, 536 Freesun DC/DC converters and Power Plant Controllers, together with specialised engineering and on-site commissioning support.

The DC-coupled configuration enables energy from the solar array to be transferred to the battery system through Power Electronics' Freesun DC/DC converters before final conversion and delivery to the AC network. This allows solar generation, storage and plant-level control to operate as part of an integrated system, improving efficiency and flexibility in how renewable energy is captured, managed and dispatched.

Grid-forming technology for Australia's evolving energy system

As renewable generation and battery storage continue to expand, Australia requires energy infrastructure capable not only of delivering power but also of actively supporting the stability and resilience of the network.

Power Electronics responds to this challenge by integrating solar generation and battery storage through a BESS leading DC-coupled architecture. The solution coordinates the different components of the hybrid plant through a unified power conversion and control platform.

The architecture also enables the use of a single set of grid-forming inverters, helping the plant provide greater stability and resilience to network disturbances.

Through Virtual Synchronous Machine, or VISMA, functionality, the solution is designed to reproduce relevant characteristics of conventional synchronous generation. It will also support participation in Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS), and the provision of additional network support services.

Proven technology combined with local engineering expertise

Delivering grid-forming projects in Australia requires more than advanced equipment. It demands detailed knowledge of local network requirements, validated grid models and specialised engineering support throughout the project lifecycle.

With 20 years of experience in the Australian market, Power Electronics supports customers from the early stages of grid connection and technical validation through to testing, commissioning and long-term operation.

Its local engineering team provides support during critical stages such as network model validation, Hold Point testing and SCADA testing. These capabilities help align the expected behaviour represented in grid models with the actual performance of the plant during commissioning.

Power Electronics also has more than 50 dedicated O&M professionals in Australia, supported by local engineering, spare parts, training and technical assistance from Brisbane. This local structure enables the company to provide long-term support and typical response times of 24 and 48 hours.

By combining proprietary technology, international experience and strong local capabilities, Power Electronics helps reduce technical, connection and operational uncertainty across utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. This approach provides developers, EPC contractors and asset owners with greater project certainty from financial close through to operation.

"Grid-forming projects require technology, engineering capabilities and local experience to work together from the earliest stages of grid connection. Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap is an example of how Power Electronics combines these capabilities to support complex hybrid projects and provide customers with greater certainty throughout the complete project lifecycle," said Glenn Clark, Business Development Director at Power Electronics Australia.

Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap as a reference for integrated hybrid infrastructure

These major solar and battery storage developments are located in Banana Shire, Central Queensland, on the traditional lands of the Gaangalu Nation People.

The projects form part of a wider renewable energy development designed to connect to Powerlink's 275 kV network through a new terminal station. The development combines solar generation and lithium-ion battery storage using a DC-coupled architecture and grid-forming inverters.

The participation of Power Electronics in this development reflects its capacity to support large-scale projects that combine renewable generation, dispatchable storage and network-support functionality within a single integrated architecture.

A long-term partner for Australia's energy transition

Power Electronics is a global company specialising in solutions for solar energy, energy storage, data centres, e-mobility, and industry. With 39 years of experience and projects delivered across 36 countries, the company is a trusted technology partner for critical infrastructure requiring reliability, efficiency, and scalability. In 2026, Power Electronics reached 170 GW of installed AC power capacity, helping customers maximise energy value, strengthen operational resilience, and support long-term growth.

In Australia, Power Electronics is a leading technology and engineering partner for the energy transition. The company holds a leading position in the large-scale energy storage market and has supported some of the country's most significant projects, with installations ranging from 100 MW to 700 MW. Backed by 20 years of local experience, advanced grid-forming technology and one of the strongest engineering and service teams in the country, Power Electronics helps developers and asset owners deliver reliable, future-ready infrastructure with greater certainty from financial close to operation.

According to Wood Mackenzie's Global Solar Inverter Market Share Report 2026, the company also ranks first in total PV inverter shipment share in Australia.

Power Electronics at All Energy Australia 2026

Power Electronics presented its integrated power solutions for solar energy, utility-scale storage, data centres and electric mobility at All Energy Australia, held on 28 and 29 October 2026 in Melbourne.

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