Electricity Markets & the Grid
December 2020
National Energy Emissions Audit Report (November 2020)
Welcome to the November 2020 issue of the NEEA Report, presenting electricity related data updated to the end of October 2020 and data on petroleum fuels and gas consumption to the end of August. Details on data sources and methods are included in the appendix.
- ACT
- NSW
- QLD
- SA
- TAS
- VIC
Submission to Energy Security Board Renewable Energy Zones consultation paper
Submission made to the Energy Security Board’s proposed framework for the planning of renewable energy zones (REZ) within state jurisdictions in the National Electricity Market (NEM). This form part an ongoing research project titled Rural Communities and Renewable Energy: A Socio-economic Study in NSW, conducted by thte University of Sydney Environment Institute, Australian National University and the
November 2020
October 2020
Climate of the Nation: Climate Change Concern Hits 82%
- ACT
- NSW
- QLD
- SA
- TAS
- VIC
Post 2025 Market Design Consultation Paper Submission
Submission to COAG Energy Council on smart demand response appliances
COAG Energy Council consulted on a proposed new national regulation that would mandate air conditioning and other consumer devices to have ‘smart’ demand response capabilities. This requirement would only apply to new appliances. The Australia Institute made a submission arguing that the economic modelling in the Regulatory Impact Statement justified making the decision as it
Submission to AEMC on 2nd draft of Wholesale Demand Response rule change
We made an independent submission to the Australian Energy Market Commission on the second draft rule and draft determination for the Wholesale Demand Response rule change. We supported the Commission’s more preferable rule on the basis that it contains a considerable number of changes to the mechanism which increase the effectiveness of the reform. We
AEMC submission supporting solar consumers
The Australian Energy Market Commission is considering a rule change that would allow distribution networks to charge households with solar PV for the energy they export. Our submission argues that it would be unfair to bring in a new system of charges to cover the supposed costs of DER before DER can also earn fair
September 2020
July 2020
Submission to Inquiry into sustainability of energy supply and resources in NSW
This submission presents preliminary findings from a research project titled Rural Communities and Renewable Energy: A Socio-economic Study in NSW, conducted by The Australia Institute and University of Sydney Environment Institute. The key preliminary finding is that the lack of a national process for local engagement and planning of energy infrastructure reduces the benefits of
June 2020
National Energy Emissions Audit: June 2020
Welcome to the June 2020 issue of the NEEA Report, with data relating to electricity and gas updated to the end of May2020, and data related to petroleum fuels to the end of April. Data presented includes greenhouse gas emissions arising from: the generation of electricity in the National Electricity Market (NEM), the consumption of natural
National Energy Emissions Audit: May 2020
Welcome to the May 2020 issue of the NEEA Report, with most data updated to the end of April 2020, and some data for May. Data presented includes greenhouse gas emissions arising from: the generation of electricity in the National Electricity Market (NEM), the consumption of natural gas in eastern Australia (the area covered by
Delayed implementation of five minute and global settlement (ERC0298)
A submission to the ‘Delayed implementation of five minute and global settlement’ rule change, which seeks to delay the implementation of five minute settlement (5MS) and global settlement (GS) by12 months, from July 2021 to July 2022.
May 2020
Energy reform after COVID-19
Coal generators are pushing to delay important reforms that would make the National ElectricityMarket more reliable and efficient and help lower emissions. Speeding up NEM reform will help drive economic recovery, not delay it.
National Energy Emissions Audit: April 2020
Welcome to the April 2020 issue of the NEEA Report, with data updated to the end of March2020. Data presented includes greenhouse gas emissions arising from: the generation of electricity in the National Electricity Market (NEM), the consumption of natural gas in eastern Australia (the area covered by the NEM), and the consumption of petroleum
April 2020
Problems with UNGI
The Underwriting New Generation Investments Program has no legislative basis, no guidelines or criteria, and is following no clear process. Despite this the government has already shortlisted projects, made agreements and engaged in detailed negotiations.
National Energy Emissions Audit: March 2020
Welcome to the March 2020 issue of the NEEA Report, with data updated to the end of February 2019. Data presented covers electricity demand, electricity supply, and electricity generation emissions in the National Electricity Market (NEM), plus electricity demand in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). The main trends in the mix of generation and
February 2020
National Energy Emissions Audit: January 2020
Welcome to the January 2020 issue of the NEEA Report, updated to the end of October 2019, and for electricity to the end of December 2019 emissions. Details on data sources and methods are included in the appendix. This issue looks first at total energy combustion emissions to the end of October. Petroleum emissions have
National Energy Emissions Audit: February 2020
Welcome to the February 2020 issue of the NEEA Report, presenting electricity related data updated to the end of January 2020. Details on data sources and methods are included in the appendix. This issue then examines the emissions associated with extracting and processing coal and gas for export from Australia. Domestic emissions caused by Australia’s large coal
Fossil fails in the Smart State: Gas and coal power plant breakdowns in Victoria
Victorian brown coal-fired power plants are some of the worst performing stations in the National Electricity Market. With hot and dry conditions forecast for the rest of this summer, Victoria is at risk of further breakdowns of aging coal generators, insufficient supply and blackouts.
January 2020
Fighting for the ARENA: Securing the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
The Commonwealth Government has made technology central to reducing emissions to 2030, but the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has only $200 million to allocate to new projects. With multi-party support for the Agency, legislation to extend its funding should be urgently passed.
December 2019
National Energy Emissions Audit – December Update
Welcome to the December 2019 issue of the NEEA Electricity Update, with data updated to the end of November 2019. The Electricity Update presents data onelectricity demand, electricity supply, and electricity generation emissions in the National Electricity Market (NEM), plus electricity demand in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). Since the start of 2018 we
November 2019
National Energy Emissions Audit: November 2019
Welcome to the November 2019 issue of the NEEA Electricity Update, with data updated to the end of October 2019. The Electricity Update presents data on electricity demand, electricity supply, and electricity generation emissions in the National Electricity Market (NEM), plus electricity demand in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). Since the start of 2018
National Energy Emissions Audit: October 2019
Welcome to the October 2019 issue of The Australia Institute’s National Energy Emissions Audit (the Emissions Audit).The Emissions Audit tracks Australia’s emissions of greenhouse gases from the combustion of fossil fuels every quarter; this issue contains data up to the end of June 2018. The Emissions Audit will therefore give readers the most up to date
September 2019
National Energy Emissions Audit – September update
Providing a comprehensive, up-to-date indication of key electricity trends in Australia. + Energy productivity has increased very little since the introduction of the National Energy Productivity Plan in 2015. + Australia is falling further behind the main aim of the NEPP; to achieve a 40% improvement in Australia’s primary energy productivity by 2030. + Energy
- ACT
Class ACT: How the Australian Capital Territory became a global energy leader
The ACT will soon become the first Australian jurisdiction to achieve a transition from a fossil fuel based supply to 100% renewable electricity. Just seven other jurisdictions have achieved this, in Germany, Austria and Spain.
August 2019
National Energy Emissions Audit: August 2019
Welcome to the August 2019 issue of the NEEA Electricity Update, with data updated to theend of July 2019. The Electricity Update presents data on electricity demand, electricitysupply, and electricity generation emissions in the National Electricity Market (NEM), pluselectricity demand in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). Since the start of 2018 we have been charting
Keeping up with the competition
Wholesale demand response brings benefits to consumers and reduces energy prices. A rule change currently being considered by the Australian Energy Market Commission is supported by a wide range of consumer groups, but opposed by incumbent energy companies. Demand response is being introduced in major markets such as the USA, EU and China, where similar
July 2019
National Energy Emissions Audit: July 2019
Welcome to the July 2019 issue of the NEEA Electricity Update, with data updated to the end of June 2019. The Electricity Update presents data on electricity demand, electricity supply,and electricity generation emissions in the National Electricity Market (NEM), plus electricitydemand in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). Since the start of 2018 there hasbeen
- NSW
Discussion Paper: Residential Time of Use Electricity Pricing in NSW
Australian energy companies and regulators claimthat introducing Time of Use pricing will benefitconsumers and move their consumption to timeswhen the network is less congested. On closer examination, further adoption will impose increased costs on households and appears more likely to increase the profits of electricity companies than to assist consumers.