4. Testing & Certification Process Overview
Testing and Certification for the Dynamic Exports Requirements is split into two distinct but related test procedures to align with the guidelines as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 – Testing scope
Whilst communications software clients and inverter series will be certified separately, both components must be present to validate end-to-end functionality for both test procedures.
A high-level outline of the testing and certification process is shown below in six stages, with the following sections describing each step at a high level. Full detail on the process and procedure can be found in the Dynamic Exports Test Procedure.
Figure 3 – Testing and Certification Process Outline
To support development of 2030.5 communications software client implementations, SA Power Networks will make a CSIP-AUS test utility server available. The intention of the server is to enable technology providers to test and certify their implementations against a near-real server to enable a smooth transition to production. The test server will be “always online” (excluding maintenance, upgrade periods and
unplanned outages) giving technology providers the ability to validate their development early and often. Technology providers are responsible for arranging availability of test inverters for use with the test server per the requirements outlined in the Dynamic Exports Test Procedure.
The test server will initially be available as a sandbox environment, including rolling control functionality to assist with integration and testing. This functionality will be later expanded to include automated test execution for all Dynamic Exports Test procedure test cases.
Once enough development has been completed to comprise an early release version, SA Power Networks will meet with the Technology Provider to help assess the functionality of their implementation and compliance with the test procedure. This stage is optional but encouraged to avoid rework close to the requirements deadline.
During this phase, technology providers make any changes or bug fixes out of first pass testing required to pass the test procedure, validated against the test server.