The AEMC today published its Frequency control frameworks review draft report.

This draft report proposes improved frequency control arrangements to support the security of the power system. Its recommendations aim to:

• address frequency performance in the national electricity market
• remove barriers to distributed energy resources participating in system security frameworks
• explore how best to integrate faster frequency control services offered by new technologies into the current regulatory and market arrangements.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) invites stakeholders to share their views on a package of recommendations addressing deteriorating frequency performance in the electricity grid.

A draft report published today for our frequency control review describes how frequency performance in the national electricity market has worsened in recent years, and recommends changes to help make the power system more stable at the least cost.

With more wind and solar now in the system, and coal-fired generators exiting, the technical characteristics of the electricity grid are changing. This makes it more challenging to keep the system secure and maintain a stable frequency under normal operating conditions.

The AEMC recently introduced a package of new tools to help the market operator, AEMO, address the immediate system security issues resulting from the changing energy mix.

These included requirements for networks to provide minimum levels of inertia and system strength, and new ‘last line of defence’ schemes to help AEMO better prepare for, and respond to, a system security emergency.

Today’s draft recommendations for frequency control add to AEMO’s new toolkit. Proposed changes include:

• improved incentives for generators to use their equipment more effectively to keep frequency within secure limits 
• market development options to promote investment in batteries and other new technologies that can provide least-cost frequency control services
• Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to undertake monitoring and publish regular reports on frequency performance
• Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to monitor and report on the performance of FCAS markets.

Submissions are due by 24 April 2018.

Media:
Prudence Anderson 0404 821 935 or (02) 8296 7817
Bronwyn Rosser 0423 280 341 or (02) 8296 7847

20 March 2018