Reports

AEMO's budget framework - analysis and options for change

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AEMO's budget framework - analysis and options for change

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) recently submitted a rule change proposal in Western Australia to amend the way its budget is set. The changes would have resulted in a shift from a fully regulated model to a NEM-like unregulated approach. Stakeholders raised concerns the proposed rule change would reduce transparency and accountability, and Energy Policy WA rejected the proposal last week. At the same time AEMO lodged its rule change proposal, the Australian Energy Council engaged Rennie Advisory to identify the root causes for what have become AEMO’s unpredictable and steadily rising costs. This report by Rennie Advisory looks at AEMO’s rule change proposal, identifies issues within the budget framework and offers some options that could be considered.

Dec 12 2024

ISP NEM 2040 Model with VRE drought – will it be reliable?

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ISP NEM 2040 Model with VRE drought – will it be reliable?

The market operator’s 2024 Integrated System Plan included a renewable drought scenario. Stress testing how the energy system will cope with VRE droughts well ahead of time is an important task, and the AEC has developed an internal model to consider how the grid might perform in these circumstances. While the model is still under development and refinement it highlights some serious challenges for the grid. We take a look.

BY Peter Brook Nov 28 2024

Solar Report: Third Quarter 2024

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Solar Report: Third Quarter 2024

Recent figures from the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) reveal in the first nine months of 2024, rooftop solar installations for homes and businesses added 2.03 GW of capacity from 214,813 solar PV systems. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments with rooftop solar as well as post code data to identify leading suburbs installing systems.

BY Carol Tran Nov 07 2024

Solar Report: First Half 2024

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Solar Report: First Half 2024

By the end of the first half of this year, solar PV installations had been fitted to more than 3.85 million Australian rooftops with a capacity of 23.65 GW, according to the Clean Energy Regulator. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments with rooftop solar, as well as utility-scale batteries. Read more.

BY Aaron Martinez Aug 08 2024

Australia's Energy Future - Consumer Energy Resources

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Australia's Energy Future - Consumer Energy Resources

The role of consumers in the energy transition will continue to grow in significance. The Australian Energy Council’s members and other energy sector participants recognise the increasing role of CER in the energy transition as well as the value it can deliver to consumers.

BY Australian Energy Council Jun 17 2024

Solar Report: First Quarter 2024

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Solar Report: First Quarter 2024

By the end of the first quarter this year solar PV installations had put been fitted to more than 3.7 million Australian rooftops with a capacity of 22.58GW, according to the Clean Energy Regulator. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments with rooftop solar, as well as the impact utility-scale solar is having on price setting in the National Electricity Market.

BY Aaron Martinez Apr 18 2024

Bottlenecks affecting generation development in WA

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Bottlenecks affecting generation development in WA

An energy transition is underway in Western Australia, led by State Government commitments and proposed policies that will shift the electricity sector towards more intermittent and low emission capacity. This Oakley Greenwood report provides a qualitative assessment of the challenges and bottlenecks of investing in new generation in the WEM, and the consequences if new generation cannot connect to the grid in a timely manner.

BY Australian Energy Council Feb 16 2024

Solar Report: Fourth Quarter 2023

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Solar Report: Fourth Quarter 2023

Our appetite for solar PV continues. At the end of last year Australia’s total installed solar rooftop capacity had reached more than 22GW. A total of 2785MW of new rooftop solar was installed by the end of 2023. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments in the sector, including its levelised cost of energy and the average payback period for solar PV systems.

BY Aaron Martinez Feb 15 2024

Solar Report: Third Quarter 2023

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Solar Report: Third Quarter 2023

Our appetite for solar PV continues. At the end of the third quarter, Australia’s total installed solar rooftop capacity had reached 21.2GW. More than 68,000 new installations were added to the grid in the quarter with a total installed capacity of 620MW. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments in the sector, including its levelised cost of energy and the average payback period for solar PV systems.

BY Australian Energy Council Nov 09 2023

Solar Report: Second quarter 2023

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Solar Report: Second quarter 2023

At the end of the second quarter, Australia’s total installed solar rooftop capacity had reached a massive 20.5GW. More than 61,000 new installations were added to the grid in the quarter with a total installed capacity of 520MW. In addition to the latest installation statistics, we take a look at other developments in the sector, including its levelised cost of energy and the impact of recent interest rate rises on the average payback period for solar PV systems.

BY Australian Energy Council Aug 03 2023

Form of the Reliability Standard

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Form of the Reliability Standard

Since market start the NEM has used a single and simple outcome metric for its reliability standard: “Unserved Energy” (USE). Essentially, we target an average of no more than 10.5 minutes off supply per customer per year from rotational load-shedding. In response to a Reliability Panel Review, the Australian Energy Council has published a report by Endgame Economics that theoretically contemplates the appropriateness of the existing standard in the transitioning power system and concludes that the existing simple USE output form approach remains the best approach for the future power system, just as it is in the current power system.

BY Australian Energy Council Jul 13 2023

Solar Report: First Quarter 2023

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Solar Report: First Quarter 2023

The Australian Energy Council’s latest Solar Report highlights the continued growth in the role of rooftop solar within the grid. It is fast catching up to coal as Australia’s biggest generation source by capacity. We look at the latest installation figures for solar PV, battery as well as international developments.

BY Carol Tran Apr 27 2023

Battery Energy Storage System Guidance Report

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Battery Energy Storage System Guidance Report

The industry’s transition is resulting in energy companies’ health, safety and environment focus moving from conventional generation to large-scale batteries. To assist the industry’s reskilling, the AEC engaged GHD Engineering Consultants to provide an introduction to large-scale battery hazards. They list a wide range of potential hazards and regulatory instruments. They also reflect on regulatory frameworks and emergency services that are struggling to keep up with the rapid rate of change in a novel technology.

Mar 30 2023

Battery Energy Storage System Risk Register

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Battery Energy Storage System Risk Register

A high-level risk register to assist industry, regulators, and other stakeholders with the identification and management of risks relating to the operation of a large-scale battery energy storage system. It is focussed primarily on lithium-ion and vanadium redox flow batteries.

Mar 30 2023

Just Transition - Navigating Australia’s energy transformation

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Just Transition - Navigating Australia’s energy transformation

The Australian Energy Council commissioned consulting and advisory firm, Strategen, to undertake a wide-ranging review of overseas and Australian experience in the energy transformation. It is instructive to learn from best practice transition examples, not only on how to mitigate the negative impacts, but also to maximise wider opportunities and this new report, Just Transition – Navigating Australia’s Energy Transformation, distils the most relevant insights.

BY Australian Energy Council Mar 10 2023

Solar Report: Fourth Quarter 2022

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Solar Report: Fourth Quarter 2022

The Australian Energy Council’s latest Solar Report updates on developments in the third quarter. Based on current Clean Energy Regulator (CER) data it shows a decline in the number of rooftop solar without battery installations for the first time since 2017. Rooftop solar with battery installations have increased, but an overall decline in installations still occurred. Regardless of the drop in Q4, solar continues to play a growing role in the grid. The report looks at factors behind the changes as well as state-by-state shifts.

BY Carol Tran Feb 16 2023

Analysis of mandatory frequency control by Provecta Consulting

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Analysis of mandatory frequency control by Provecta Consulting

The National Electricity Market’s (NEM) Reliability Panel is presently reviewing the NEM’s Frequency Operating Standards. One part of that review considers the maximum governor deadband generators must operate when providing mandatory primary frequency response. The AEC engaged expert consultants Provecta, to advise on the impacts of the present very narrow deadband of plus or minus 15 millihertz, which the Panel propose retaining. Provecta find this tight deadband is causing wear on thermal machines and may be causing some observed instability in the system frequency. Provecta suspect a widening of the deadband would benefit both plants and the system.

BY Australian Energy Council Feb 02 2023

Solar Report: Third quarter 2022

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Solar Report: Third quarter 2022

The Australian Energy Council’s latest Solar Report updates on developments in the third quarter. Based on current Clean Energy Regulator (CER) data it shows a drop in solar rooftop installations – due to a range of factors including supply chain costs and weather events. Regardless of the drop in Q3, solar continues to play a growing role in the grid. The report looks at factors behind the changes as well as state-by-state shifts.

BY Australian Energy Council Nov 03 2022

Capacity Market Model - CEPA Spreadsheet

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Capacity Market Model - CEPA Spreadsheet

Capacity mechanisms are common around the world, providing additional assurance regarding investment in reliable supply to meet demand, but always sit alongside an energy spot market that balances supply and demand from day to day. The AEC publishes today some excellent analysis prepared by CEPA economic consultants that shows there is no need to change the energy market, and “double dipping” won’t result.

Oct 13 2022

Adjustments to the market price cap in presence of a capacity mechanism

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Adjustments to the market price cap in presence of a capacity mechanism

Capacity mechanisms are common around the world, providing additional assurance regarding investment in reliable supply to meet demand, but always sit alongside an energy spot market that balances supply and demand from day to day. The AEC publishes today some excellent analysis prepared by CEPA economic consultants that shows there is no need to change the energy market, and “double dipping” won’t result.

Oct 13 2022

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