Wind turbines won't solve Vic's energy grid woes

A Swinburne energy expert has warned that installing wind turbines will not solve Victoria’s energy challenges.

As the state progresses plans to develop offshore wind, Swinburne’s Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian said the bigger challenge will be integrating large-scale generation into an electricity grid already undergoing major change.

“From a power-system perspective, the critical issue is how offshore wind is integrated into the grid,” Seyedmahmoudian said.

“Large projects will require coordinated transmission planning, advanced power-electronic controls, grid-forming battery storage and accurate modelling of system strength, stability and fault behaviour.

“These capabilities will become increasingly important as demand grows from data centres, transport electrification and other major industrial loads, placing further pressure on Australia’s electricity system.”

Seyedmahmoudian said cost and community concerns must also be addressed transparently, with Australia needing to learn from international experience.

“Local supply chains, port infrastructure and a skilled workforce will be critical to supporting an offshore wind industry over several decades,” he said. “Universities, technology companies, network operators and governments all have an important role in building this capability.”

Its success, he said, will depend on coordinated planning across generation, transmission, storage, digital control, workforce development and community engagement, not generation targets alone.

“Offshore wind is therefore not a silver bullet, but it can be a valuable part of a diversified and resilient energy system,” he said.

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