The inclusion of an emissions objective would require a shift in how statutory entities exercise their respective functions under the National Electricity Law, as well as consideration of how an emissions benefit should be quantified to allow comparison against other priorities.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has released its Quarter 2 (Q2), 2022 Energy Dynamics Report (QED), highlighting the supply issues, power outages and record prices in the Australian electricity market.

AEMO recently released the Final 2022 Integrated System Plan (ISP), a whole of system plan which provides AEMO’s optimal development pathway for the National Electricity Market. AEMO has confirmed ‘Step Change’ as the most likely scenario.

After significant delay, the AER has now recommenced its review into the ring-fencing arrangements for Transmission Network Service Providers (TNSPs). The AER’s initial views on ringfencing requirements reflect a changing market, highlighted by: new technologies; potential for increased competition; and the need for continued innovation.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is conducting consultation on the need to amend the National Energy Retail Rules to better protect customers impacted by family violence.

The AEMC has made a rule to enable AEMO to more readily accommodate into its short-term projected assessment of system adequacy (ST PASA) with process evolving technology, market participants and market conditions likely to arise with the evolution of the National Electricity Market

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) publishes its Quarterly Energy Dynamics report to provide the market with information regarding trends, outcomes and developments in the NEM, the WEM, and gas markets across the east and west coasts over the prior quarter

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) recently published its annual Gas Statement of Opportunities (GSOO) for Australian jurisdictions other than Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This article summarises AEMO’s key messages and what they imply for the future of gas in our market.

The AER has released its final Better Bills Guideline released in December 2021. The final Guideline contains new requirements for the layout and mandatory inclusion of information on bills by retailers for customers using less than 100MWh per annum

Regulators are only now grasping the full extent of the challenges and opportunities brought by the proliferation of DER, including the need for remote, dynamic device communication. Flowing on from this is the need for interoperability standards and a good governance model.

On 17 March 2022, the AEMC made its final determination on the Governance of Distributed Energy Resources Technical Standards. The Commission has decided not to make a rule, and instead rely on its existing powers and workplan to progress DER technical standards for the NEM.

The AER has released details of the 26 submissions received on the Draft Better Bills Guideline released in December 2021. The Draft Guideline contains new requirements for the layout and mandatory inclusion information on bills by retailers for customers using less than 100MWh per annum.

We continue our coverage of the Reliability Panel four-yearly review of the reliability standard and settings. The Panel is considering whether the form and level of the standard and settings are appropriate for expected and evolving market conditions

AEMO has released its draft FY 2022-23 National Electricity Market (NEM) intra-regional loss factors, commonly referred to as marginal loss factors (MLFs). AEMO expects to publish a final report on 1 April 2022

The Reliability Panel has kicked off its four-yearly review of the reliability standard and settings. The Panel will consider whether the form and level of the standard and settings are appropriate for expected and evolving market conditions.

The AER has released its draft determination for retail electricity default market offer (DMO) prices to apply from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 (DMO 4). The DMO is the maximum price an electricity retailer can charge a standing offer customer each year.

The review addressed a commitment to ban embedded networks in new apartment buildings, and enable customers living in existing embedded networks to have the same protections and opportunities as other consumers.

The AER has released draft Export Tariff Guidelines for consultation, which provide guidance about how distributors should define the basic export level for distributed energy resources (such as solar PV), and how they should develop and justify proposals for export pricing.

The Energy Security Board’s (ESB) final advice on the Post 2025 Market Design Review proposed a reform pathway for resource adequacy, including recommendation of a mechanism to explicitly value capacity in the rapidly changing National Electricity Market (NEM) over coming years.

The Connections Reform Roadmap was published in December 2021, as part of the Connections Reform Initiative jointly sponsored by AEMO and the CEC. The Roadmap outlines priority reforms, identified in collaboration with industry, needed to overcome the challenges in connecting generators to the grid.