If you’re applying for the Grid Enhancing Technologies Grant, the hardest part isn’t eligibility — it’s writing an application that actually scores well.
Most applicants fall short not because their tech isn’t good, but because they fail to prove the impact.
This guide breaks down exactly what the assessors want to see — with examples, scoring tips, and real-world phrasing that works.
What Is the Grid Enhancing Technologies Grant?
The Grid Enhancing Technologies (GET) Grant is a federal funding program designed to help more renewable energy flow through Australia’s existing electricity network — without building new poles and wires.
Instead of greenfield upgrades, this grant supports technologies that make smarter use of current infrastructure. That means improving visibility, forecasting, control, and capacity across substations, feeder lines, and transmission corridors.
The program is managed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, with up to $5 million available per project.
- $30 million total funding pool
- Up to $5 million per project
- Applications open 15 July 2025
- Projects must be completed by 30 June 2027
It’s one of the few grant programs that’s laser-focused on making the grid work better, not bigger — and that makes it a unique opportunity for software, sensing, control, and grid-edge innovators.
Who Should Apply?
This grant is designed for Australian businesses working on technologies that improve how the electricity grid performs — not just in theory, but in real-world deployments.
The ideal applicant is a company with a clear product or solution that enhances grid efficiency, visibility, or flexibility — and can be deployed within the project timeframe.
- Technology companies developing grid optimisation software
- Engineering firms with sensor, control, or power systems expertise
- Energy startups partnering with DNSPs or transmission operators
- Grid-edge innovators with tools for forecasting, DER integration, or congestion relief
Applicants must be:
- Australian incorporated entities with an ABN
- Capable of co-contributing funding (cash or in-kind)
- Ready to deliver between 2025 and 2027
Note for research organisations: You can participate as a partner — but the lead applicant must be an industry-based entity.
Real-World Examples of Grid Enhancing Technologies
Not sure if your tech qualifies? Here are some real-world examples of what the GET Grant is designed to support. These are based on the official guidelines — but tailored to what assessors are actually looking for.
- Dynamic Line Rating (DLR): Systems that adjust transmission capacity in real time based on weather and loading conditions.
- Grid-Side Digital Twins: Simulation models that mirror real network performance and help operators plan upgrades without capex.
- Real-Time Congestion Forecasting: Tools that detect and predict bottlenecks, helping operators avoid curtailment of solar or wind exports.
- DER Coordination Platforms: Software that manages voltage and frequency impacts from rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs.
- Advanced Network Monitoring: Sensor suites that deliver high-resolution visibility across substations and feeder lines.
- Smart Inverter Control: Systems that dynamically adjust inverter behaviour to stabilise grid conditions.
- Grid-Aware Load Shifting: Platforms that incentivise industrial users to shift usage based on network constraints.
If your solution helps squeeze more capacity out of the existing grid — and can be deployed within 2 years — it’s likely eligible.
Why Most Applications Miss the Mark
Having a good product or promising technology isn’t enough to win this grant. What separates the successful applicants is their ability to clearly link their solution to measurable, grid-level outcomes.
Here’s where most submissions fall short:
- They describe the tech, not the outcome.
Assessors aren’t impressed by buzzwords — they want to know what your solution actually changes on the grid. - They don’t quantify the benefit.
You need to show impact in terms of MW unlocked, % capacity increase, $ deferred in upgrades, or congestion reduction. - They say they’ll do the project anyway.
If you say the grant isn’t es
The 3 Criteria You Must Nail
This grant is assessed using a formal scorecard — not just a yes/no checklist. To be competitive, your application needs to address all three criteria with clear, measurable evidence.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Criterion 1 – Solving the Grid Problem (40 points): What issue are you addressing, and how will your solution improve grid performance? Assessors want numbers — not just features.
- Criterion 2 – Can You Deliver? (20 points): Do you have the people, tools, partners, and infrastructure access to pull this off? Can you manage the risks?
- Criterion 3 – What Happens if it Works? (40 points): Will the results apply beyond your business? Can it scale across the grid? Will you share insights that benefit the sector?
Most applicants score well in one or two — but to win, you need to hit all three. The next sections break down exactly how to do that.
Criterion 1 – Solving the Grid Problem (40 Points)
This is the most heavily weighted section — and the one where most applicants lose points.
The key question assessors are asking is:
“If we give you $5 million, what’s the actual return for the grid?”
You need to break this into two parts: measurable benefit + clear need for funding.
1A – Optimising Existing Infrastructure (25 Points)
This is where you prove your tech makes the grid work better — not bigger. Focus on outcomes for the network, not just your product features.
- What infrastructure are you targeting? (e.g. feeder line, substation, SCADA data stream)
- What’s the existing problem? (e.g. congestion, curtailment, lack of visibility)
- How does your solution change that?
Now quantify it:
- “This solution increases hosting capacity by 28%, reducing curtailment for solar farms in the Wagga zone.”
- “We model a $6 million capex deferral over 3 years.”
- “Improved voltage control is expected to cut peak demand charges by $450k/year.”
These kinds of numbers show that your project isn’t just interesting — it’s useful to the system. Pull from modelling data, previous deployments, or pilot results if you have them.
1B – Why It Wouldn’t Happen Without the Grant (15 Points)
This is about additionality. The assessors need to believe that funding is unlocking something — not just subsidising what you already planned to do.
A bad answer: “We’re doing the project anyway, but this will help.”
A good answer:
“Without grant funding, we would likely pilot this at a single rural site, without the full sensor suite or modelling support. The grant allows us to scale across four zones and fast-track implementation by 18 months.”
Even if you’d do something without the grant, show that:
- You’d do it slower
- You’d do less (fewer sites, features, partners)
- You’d take on more risk
- You’d have less data or evaluation scope
That makes the case for why public funding is delivering real public value.
Criterion 2 – Can You Deliver? (20 Points)
It’s one thing to have a good idea — it’s another to execute it. This criterion tests whether your team, partners, and infrastructure access give the project a real shot at success.
2A – Resources and Access (8 Points)
Assessors want to see that you’re not guessing. You should have agreements, equipment, data rights, and test environments ready (or close).
- Letters of support from DNSPs or site hosts
- Access to SCADA, AMI, or sensor data for testing
- Infrastructure readiness — e.g. field sites, substations, trial networks
- Funding structure — internal + partner co-contributions
Example:
“We have an in-principle agreement from AusNet to test this across three substations in the Latrobe Valley. The project will use our existing network modelling platform and sensor data from previous deployments.”
2B – Team Capability (8 Points)
Show that the people involved have done this before — or something close. Don’t just say they’re experienced. Name them, list projects, and explain what they’ll do.
- Previous work with utilities, ARENA, or energy tech
- Named team members with clear roles
- External experts for areas like digital twins, compliance, cyber security
Example:
“Our CTO led the SA Power Networks demand-response pilot with ARENA. Our lead engineer previously delivered grid visualisation systems for Energy Queensland.”
2C – Risk and Delivery Plan (4 Points)
This is your chance to show you’ve thought through the weak points. List the top risks — and what you’re doing to address them.
- Integration with existing SCADA platforms
- Cybersecurity risks with remote access or data layers
- Delays in regulatory or safety approvals
- Data quality or missing third-party inputs
Mitigation example:
“We’re embedding security by design using AESCSF controls and will conduct third-party penetration testing before live rollout.”
Show that you’ve done the hard thinking. It gives assessors confidence you’ll actually deliver.
Criterion 3 – What Happens if it Works? (40 Points)
This criterion is all about scale and sector impact. The assessors want to fund projects that don’t just sit in a pilot report — they want ideas that will change how the grid operates across Australia.
3A – What Insights Will You Generate? (15 Points)
Explain what this project will teach us. That could be network performance before and after, cost-per-MW of congestion relief, load predictability, DER control outcomes — whatever’s relevant.
Example:
“We’ll evaluate pre/post voltage quality, congestion duration, and DER contribution to peak load. Results will be benchmarked and published as a white paper for AEMO and DNSPs.”
Make it clear how the data will be captured, analysed, and shared. Knowledge sharing = higher score.
3B – What Could It Look Like at Scale? (15 Points)
This is where you paint the bigger picture. Your pilot might target one zone — but show how the concept could be rolled out across the country.
- How many similar substations or feeders exist nationally?
- What’s the total MW that could be unlocked if scaled?
- What kinds of networks or regions is this best suited to?
Example:
“There are over 150 rural feeders with similar topology. If applied to 20% of them, we estimate this solution could unlock 800MW of additional renewable hosting capacity.”
3C – How Will You Get There? (10 Points)
This is where you outline a real plan — not just ambition. Talk about funding pathways, potential partners, and how the solution could be adopted beyond your pilot.
- Will you seek follow-on support from ARENA or DNSPs?
- Is your model licence-based, open-source, or service-based?
- Are you engaging with regulatory bodies or innovation hubs?
Example:
“Pending pilot success, we’ll apply for ARENA deployment support and engage the CEC to include this in their Network Innovation Hub. We’ve already opened discussions with two DNSPs about commercial implementation.”
The takeaway: show this is more than a pilot — it’s a stepping stone to system-wide change.
FAQs
What is a grid enhancing technology?
Grid enhancing technologies are tools or systems that improve the efficiency, capacity, or visibility of the existing electricity network. They help integrate more renewables without the need for new poles and wires.
How much funding is available through the GET Grant?
Up to $5 million is available per project. The total funding pool is $100 million under Round 1, and matched co-funding is required.
What kinds of projects are eligible?
Eligible projects include congestion forecasting tools, dynamic line rating systems, grid visibility sensors, DER integration platforms, and digital twins for substations. Greenfield builds are not eligible.
Who is eligible to apply?
Australian-registered companies with a deployable grid-related solution. Research organisations and universities can be partners, but not lead applicants.
What makes a competitive application?
Competitive applications quantify grid-level outcomes (like MW unlocked or $ deferred), show strong partnerships, and demonstrate a clear pathway to scale and sector impact.
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