Rule Change: Open
Overview
The AEMC considers all consumers should have access to real-time data as part of their electricity service. Real-time data refers to energy data that is recorded and provided to consumers instantaneously.
On 30 January 2025, we published a directions paper proposing a framework to enable this access. Under our proposed framework, consumers would access real-time data from their smart meters.
Real-time data can support consumers to:
- gain a deeper understanding of energy use patterns
- make more informed decisions on their energy use
- potentially save money on their electricity bills
- take advantage of innovative energy products and services to get more value from the way they use energy, including their consumer energy resources (CER).
We are seeking stakeholder feedback on our proposed pathway to enable access to real-time data from the meter.
We propose the following:
- a definition of real-time data being voltage, current and phase angle recorded every second and delivered within a second (AEMO would further clarify our proposed definition)
- requiring retailers to offer real-time data access to all customers upon request with a once-off charge to consumers permissible for the first 15 years
- requiring MSPs to provide a one-way stream of real-time data upon request in a manner that is interoperable and enables multi-party access
- requiring the AER to publish the price of accessing real-time data for each retailer and MSP annually
We are also seeking input on approaches to enable third-party access to real-time data whilst still ensuring that consumer consent has been satisfactorily obtained.
We encourage feedback on this proposal. Written submissions must be lodged with the Commission by 20 February 2025, via the Commission website, www.aemc.gov.au
Background
Smart meters are beneficial to consumers
The energy landscape is undergoing unprecedented change in response to market and technology developments, changing community expectations, and the shift to a cleaner energy system. Millions of Australian households and businesses are embracing the change and are adopting CER technologies such as solar panels and batteries.
Smart meters make these changes possible. They play a crucial role in the energy transition and contribute to the electricity system becoming more intelligent, responsive, efficient and consumer-centric.
Smart meters can enable access to energy usage information in real-time. This information facilitates energy services that help consumers optimise their energy use and save money on bills.
Access to real-time data through the smart meter is currently limited
Currently, it can be challenging for consumers, and third parties that operate on consumers’ behalf, to access real-time data from smart meters. This is because it can be difficult to negotiate access with metering service providers (MSPs), who are custodians of the data. Consumers and third parties who want the data are installing separate digital meter readers or current transformers on or around the meter to obtain it, and consumers are paying for this access.
Enabling access to real-time data from smart meters supports our vision of a consumer-centric energy system
In September 2024, the Commission published a strategic narrative outlining our vision for our shared energy future.
We envision a consumer-focused net-zero energy system. Consumers of all kinds are pivotal to the transition – whether through their investment in CER or simply their decisions about when and how to use energy.
Consumers’ choices about energy contribute to the optimal functioning of the system, supporting lower energy costs for all. Improving access to real-time data can better inform these choices and is therefore an important piece of the puzzle in delivering our vision.