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News Topic ID
30

Project plan and governance arrangements for optional firm access design and testing

08 April 2014

SCER has asked us to develop, test and assess the optional firm access model. We have now developed a set of governance arrangements for the project. Along with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) we have prepared a coordinated project plan. We are working closely with AEMO and we will coordinate our outputs over the course of the project to provide an integrated set of recommendations and to engage most efficiently with stakeholders. 

First working group meeting held of the optional firm access design and testing review

31 March 2014

The first meeting of the optional firm access design and testing working group was held on 20 March 2014. The agenda and a short summary of the meeting are available on the project page. 

Industry adviser appointed for peer review of optional firm access design and testing

31 March 2014

We have appointed Charles Popple as an industry adviser to undertake a peer review role for the optional firm access design and testing project. Charles has extensive experience of electricity industry reform from his time working with transmission businesses. Charles also provides advice to SP AusNet on other matters. We have processes in place to manage any potential conflicts of interest that may arise. 

Consultation paper published on System Restart Ancillary Services

27 March 2014

On 27 March 2014, the AEMC commenced consultation on a consolidated rule change request relating to System Restart Ancillary Services (SRAS).

The rule change request combines two proposals submitted by the Australian Energy Market Operator and a group of organisations with interests in the generation sector. It concerns the objective and economic basis of SRAS, as well as the associated governance, procurement and cost recovery arrangements.

A consultation paper has been prepared to facilitate consultation on the key issues in the rule change request. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide any submissions by 8 May 2014.

Draft report published on the reliability standard and reliability settings review

13 March 2014

On 13 March 2014, the Reliability Panel published its draft report for the reliability standard and reliability settings review 2014. The draft report contains the Reliability Panel’s draft decision in relation to the reliability standard, and draft recommendations in relation to the market price cap, cumulative price threshold and market floor price, to apply from 1 July 2016. Submissions on the draft report are due by 10 April 2014.

Final determination made on Publication of zone substation data

13 March 2014

On 13 March 2014, the AEMC made a final rule determination on the publication of zone substation data rule change request. The Commission has made a rule that requires Distribution Network Service Provides to make available on request, historical zone substation load data.

Sixth advisory stakeholder working group meeting held for the Framework for Open Access and Communications Standards review

06 March 2014

The sixth meeting of the advisory stakeholder working group for the Framework for Open Access and Communications Standards review was held on Thursday 6 March 2014. Information including the list of members, the papers that were considered at the previous meetings, and the schedule of meetings is available on the project page.

Design and testing of optional firm access commences

06 March 2014

The AEMC today published terms of reference from the Standing Council of Energy and Resources for a review to test a new model for cost efficient investment in future generation and transmission of electricity.

The Optional Firm Access Review will develop and assess the optional firm access package which was recommended by our Transmission Frameworks Review (April 2013).

Under the optional firm access proposal generators would drive and pay for much of the transmission investment required by the market in return for more certainty of access to networks. At the same time they would be encouraged to factor in transmission costs when deciding where to build new generation. Better aligning transmission and generation investment has the potential to minimise prices for customers in the longer term.

The AEMC and AEMO are working cooperatively on this review. Both organisations will contribute to an assessment of the impacts of implementing the model on everyone in the market. The project will also explore options for an efficient implementation process. The proposed model is technically complex and would significantly change the market. Accordingly, this review will emphasise opportunities for extensive engagement with stakeholders and a project plan highlighting the timetable for public consultation will be released shortly.

 

For information contact:

AEMC Chief Executive, Paul Smith, (02) 8296 7800

AEMC Senior Director, Anne Pearson (02) 8296 7800

Stakeholder workshop for the Distribution Network Pricing Arrangements rule change

06 March 2014

The next workshop on the Distribution Network Pricing Arrangements rule change will be held on 13 March in Sydney. This is the first workshop for the network pricing framework workstream and will explore the key objectives of the network pricing framework and will consider how the SCER and IPART rule change proposals meet some of these objectives.

Please contact Zaeen Khan on 02 8296 7800 or zaeen.khan@aemc.gov.au to register your interest if you have not already done so.

Presentations from the first workshop on cost reflective network pricing, held on 26 February 2014, are now available from the Distribution Network Pricing Arrangements rule change page. 

 

Consultation paper published on Victorian Jurisdictional Derogation (Smelter Agreements) rule change request

27 February 2014

On 27 February 2014, the AEMC commenced consultation on the Victorian Jurisdictional Derogation (Smelter Agreements) rule change request.

The proposal, submitted by the Minister for Energy and Resources (Victoria), seeks to correct a perceived error or oversight in the wording of an existing Victorian jurisdictional derogation.

The AEMC will assess this request under an expedited rule change process, subject to no valid written objections being received by 13 March 2014.

 

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