Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the AEMC

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The MOU sets out a framework for coordination and information sharing to underpin collaborative projects such as the Distributed Energy Integration Program which aims to maximise the value of customer investments in distributed resources such as solar PV and battery storage.

More broadly the AEMC is contributing to ARENA’s work to promote renewable energy technologies by providing input into proof of concept trials to help us understand potential changes to rules and regulations that will be needed to accommodate a future with more renewables and demand response. At the same time, ARENA is sharing its expert insights with us as renewable energy technologies evolve and new business models develop.  Information gained through ARENA’s proof of concept trials helps the AEMC’s consideration of potential changes to the regulatory framework and market development advice.

ARENA’s recent demand response trials with AEMO have shown that short procurement lead times can make it challenging for demand response providers to participate in the market’s strategic reserve mechanism. These findings informed the Commission’s conclusions to reinstate the long-notice RERT and are also being considered as part of the AEMC’s assessment of a proposal to enhance the Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT).

The Chief Executives of the AEMC and ARENA will meet at least every six months.

Media: Prudence Anderson, Communication Director, 0404 821 935 or (02) 8296 7817

Background

To improve the operation of the national energy markets and promote communication and coordination, the AEMC has agreed a number of memoranda of understanding with other organisations that are active within the energy sector. These include MOUs with:

  • Australian Energy Market Operator
  • Australian Energy Regulator
  • Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
  • National Competition Council
  • Essential Services Commission (Victoria)
  • Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ACT)
  • Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator
  • Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW
  • Energy and Water Ombudsman Queensland
  • Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria
  • Energy and Water Ombudsman South Australia
  • Energy Ombudsman Tasmania
  • Australian Renewable Energy Agency