The Australian Energy Market Commission’s Reliability Panel has published a final determination on amendments to a key standard used to restore the power system after major disruptions in Queensland.

System restart ancillary services (SRAS) are services that the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) procures to help re-energise parts of the power system affected by a major supply disruption or black system event. Major supply disruptions and black system events are rare events. The most recent black system event was in South Australia in September 2016. Prior to that event, two more have occurred in; northern Queensland in 2009; and New South Wales in 1964.

SRAS are provided by facilities that can either self-start without drawing power from the network or can support the stable restoration of the power system following its initial re-energisation. Once an SRAS provider has restarted its own plant, it provides energy to restart other generators and commence the processes required to restore the power system. This process is then carefully managed by AEMO, networks and other generators so that power is restored to customers as quickly as possible.

The Reliability Panel’s final determination specifies targets which will allow AEMO to procure SRAS for a single Queensland region.  

This draft determination follows a decision by AEMO to combine the existing North and South Queensland sub-networks into a single Queensland sub-network for SRAS procurement purposes. The Panel’s final determination includes a locational requirement for AEMO to procure SRAS north of Bundaberg in addition to targets for the speed, level, and reliability of restoration in Queensland as a whole. 

The Panel’s amendments to the Standard’s targets will guide AEMO's procurement of SRAS for a single Queensland sub-network in its next procurement round in early 2021. 

Media: Kellie Bisset, Media and Content Manager, 0438 490 041