Overview
Australian consumers are driving one of the fastest transformations of electricity systems in the world through record breaking investment in consumer energy resources (CER) such as rooftop solar. High uptake and use of CER will create new opportunities and challenges for system security and reliability.
In July 2024, Energy Ministers agreed to the National CER Roadmap (the Roadmap) which sets out an overarching vision and implementation plan to support CER at scale across Australia. The workstreams in the Roadmap contain a series of national reform priorities that need to be undertaken to ensure the smooth integration of CER for the benefit of consumers and the energy system as a whole.
We are now seeking your views on aspects of the technology workstream in the Roadmap. Projects in this workstream aim to optimise system operation in a future where CER is an integral part of Australia’s electricity systems:
Priority T1: To develop an initial set of agreed requirements and applicable technical standards for CER device interoperability and flexibility
The T1 consultation paper takes a first principles approach to interoperability for devices nationally linked to grid networks, by looking at CER device requirements based on use cases from the M3/P5 Workstream consultation and applicable technical standards and identifying gaps in current standards.
Priority T2: The establishment of a national technical regulatory framework for CER
Regulation aims to take a consumer-centric view that optimises system operation, security and reliability through future-ready architecture, holistic technical requirements and standards, compliance and enforcement.
Within this regulatory framework, and to provide CER owners with the choice to maximise their returns on investment, service providers will require the ability to communicate with and operate these devices if device owners choose to participate.
Please see links below for three opportunities to provide feedback:
Priority T1
An opportunity to provide written feedback on Technical Standards for CER Interoperability.
Priority T2
A survey seeking your input in identifying current CER issues and to assist in prioritising outcomes to be achieved through regulation.
An opportunity to view a preliminary draft national technical regulatory framework for CER and provide your feedback through a submission.
It is anticipated that Energy Ministers will consider the outcomes of these consultations in late 2025.
