The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) today made a final rule making it easier and more attractive for more batteries and hybrid systems to enter the market and ensure the energy sector keeps pace with new technologies and to support innovation. More batteries in the market will increase competition and drive down costs. Also, the […]
Solar Deployment in Australia ‘Significantly Higher’ Than Previously Forecast
Australia’s electricity grid faces congestion and power security issues over the next few years as more solar energy capacity is installed at faster rates than previously expected. That’s according to a report from the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), which has found that 763MW of new large-scale solar capacity was added to the power mix […]
Australia prepares to open fast frequency response ancillary services market
The 30MW / 30MWh Ballarat Battery Energy Storage System, inaugurated in October 2018 and welcomed by Lily D’Ambrosio, Victoria’s Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change (centre). Image: State of Victoria Government. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has drafted a new rule to enable the provision of fast frequency response services to help keep […]
The “solar tax”: Why should households be charged to generate power?
The Australian solar industry awoke with a surprise when AEMC announced a draft determination that on one hand seeks to ensure the right for solar system owners to export their energy into the grid, while at the same time, proposing charges for the right to do this. For an average 5 kilowatt (kW) solar system, […]
Proposed solar energy export charges leave owners feeling like they are being ‘penalised’
Solar panel owners say they feel punished by proposed changes which would see them charged for exporting surplus electricity to the grid. Households with solar panels that export power to the grid could be slugged a fee under a proposal by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC). The AEMC said the increasing number of households […]
Home solar in Australia may face grid export charges for the greater good
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is looking to change the way the power system works now in order to “avoid costly crisis solutions” in a future with more residential solar systems feeding power to the grid. In a draft determination, the commission mentions the introduction of charges for exporting power from home solar systems […]
Australian body finalises rules on wind and solar output
Australia’s electricity rules maker Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has finalised a new rule preventing wind and solar projects from cutting output without prior notice to avoid negative wholesale electricity prices. The rule will be effective from 12 April. Wind and solar projects will be required to generate electricity at an output level advised by […]
AEMC opens consultation on DER integration, solar export charges
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is calling for submissions on proposed rule changes that would address the integration of distributed energy resources, including enabling export charges as a pricing tool. Consultation is underway on requests for new rules that would address the integration of Australia’s rapidly growing fleet of distributed energy resources (DER), including […]