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.

Released in December 2021, the consultation paper sets out, and seeks feedback on, key design aspects of the NSW Government’s work to coordinate and encourage investment in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) under its Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

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.

The AEMC published a draft rule determination on 16 December 2021 on the governance of DER technical standards. The draft determination is to not make a rule; the AEMC preferring to use existing powers and roles under energy laws to realise DER technical standards and integration.

The AER is developing new guidance for DNSPs following the AEMC’s final determination on access, pricing and incentive arrangements for DER. The guidelines are intended to guide efficient levels of DER export investment and appropriate two-way price signals

The AER is consulting on its proposed regulatory sandbox toolkit following the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) regulatory sandbox recommendations to the COAG Energy Council on 26 September 2019, and further advice on rule changes on 26 March 2020.

What is the Ring-Fencing Guideline change and how does it affect you?