• About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Events
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
No Results
View All Results
Home Electricity

National Electricity Rule change to manage demand

by Journalist
May 3, 2019
in Electricity, News, Policy
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Australian Energy Market Commission has released its Final Determination on a National Electricity Rule change, which will enhance the Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) mechanism. The decision has been welcomed by the Australian Energy Council (AEC).

The AEC’s General Manager Policy, Ben Skinner, said that the decision sought to balance the need to have sufficient reserves in place when needed, whilst minimising costs to energy users.

The RERT allows the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to access additional electricity reserves, typically demand-side response and emergency diesel generators, to use as a last resort in regions at times of very high demand or limited supply.

Mr Skinner said the vast majority of generation to meet demand is provided by generators operating within the market. The RERT is a form of “top up” used when the market is assessed to be outside the reliability standard.

“This occurred in the last two summers in Victoria and South Australia, following the closure of coal plants, but fortunately, current forecasts suggest that the standard can be met from the market alone for the next few summers,” he said.

“The RERT reduces, but can’t remove, the risk of customer interruptions due to insufficient generation to meet peak demand. For example, the RERT was active this last summer but unfortunately some customers were nevertheless interrupted.

“The RERT also does address the 96 per cent of supply interruptions caused by local network outages.

“The AEMC considered a proposal to significantly alter the scope of the RERT, which could potentially have raised costs for customers. However after consulting widely and considering the many complex matters, it has concluded in favour of a rule that is superior to both the proposal and the existing RERT.

“While the AEMC did not agree with the AEC’s preference in its submission to retain a maximum nine month contracting period, we recognise the AEMC listened to our views.”

Related Posts

AS4044:2024 sets the benchmark for critical power systems. Image: Century Yuasa

Compliance for critical power

by Katie Livingston
June 13, 2025

As the demand for resilient power solutions grows, ensuring battery charger safety, compliance and reliability for stationary applications is critical....

Image: Maryna/stock.adobe.com

Landmark projects to be unveiled at Converge 2025

by Sarah MacNamara
June 13, 2025

Tier 1 contractors are set to take centre stage at Converge 2025, with the country’s most ambitious utility, infrastructure and...

Research suggests the lack of charging infrastructure means that almost half of Australian EV drivers are considering switching back to engine vehicles. Image: Brastock/adobe.com

Powering the EV transition

by Katie Livingston
June 12, 2025

Insufficient public charging infrastructure is hindering Australia’s uptake of electric vehicles, but an answer lies with the humble powerpole. The...

Please login to join discussion

Read our magazine

Join our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.
Utility is the title of choice for decision makers at all levels of water and energy utilities, as well as other major players like consulting engineers and first-tier contractors. Utility is integrated across print and online, and explores the biggest news and issues across the utility industry. It is Australia’s only dedicated utility magazine, and covers all areas of the utility sector, including water and sewer, gas, electricity, communications and the NBN.

Subscribe to our newsletter

View our privacy policy, collection notice and terms and conditions to understand how we use your personal information.

About Utility

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Digital magazine
  • Events
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Collection Notice
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics

  • News
  • Water
  • Electricity
  • Projects
  • Water and Wastewater Treatment
  • Spotlight
  • Civil Construction
  • Renewable Energy

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited

No Results
View All Results
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE
  • News
    • Contracts awarded
    • Open tenders and opportunities
    • Events
  • Features
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Civil Construction
  • Events
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

© 2025 All Rights Reserved. All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited