Global Insight

Each week we post an update of some of the interesting developments relating to future energy systems that have caught our eye. Within the IGov research we are focusing on developments in a number countries including Germany, Denmark, New York, California and Australia, but are also tracking developments more broadly across a number of continents. The weekly update will report on these.

  • Global Insights 19th June 2018

    June 19, 2018

    Global Insights 19th June 2018

    AUSTRALIA AEMO and ENA release transformation frameworks paper for consultation AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator) and the ENA (Energy Networks Australia) have released a consultation paper on ‘how best to transition to a two-way grid that allows better integration of Distributed Energy Resources for the benefit of all customers’.  AEMO and the ENA have given possible frameworks for integrating DER: A single integrated platform where the market operator provides a central platform in which all distribution level actors are able to participate. A two-step tiered platform in which the DNO’s are responsible for optimisation and

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  • Global Insights: 13th June 2018

    June 13, 2018

    Global Insights: 13th June 2018

    AUSTRALIA ATA and ENA show all electric is cheaper than dual fuel A report released this week by the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) and funded by Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) show that new homes, with efficient appliances, LED lighting, heat pump hot water systems and split system air-conditioning combined with a 5kW solar PV system could save the household between $900-$1,600 annually compared to dual fuel.  The report calls for education within the building industry to show the benefit of the all-electric home.  It also calls for a review of policies and programs that have

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  • Global Insights: 5th June 2018

    June 5, 2018

    Global Insights: 5th June 2018

    AUSTRALIA AEMC moving ahead with Finkel review recommendations The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has released a consultation on a proposed rule change on technical standards for generators.  The rule change request has been preceded by collaboration between the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), generators, network businesses and power systems engineers. The rule change, originating from one of the recommendations from the Finkel review, will ensure that all new generators will meet required security and reliability targets.  The targets will be set at a local level by the network companies and are dependent on local

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  • Global Insights: 22nd May 2018

    May 22, 2018

    Global Insights: 22nd May 2018

    AUSTRALIA New Rule for retailers prevents over-inflated discounts The AEMC have made a new rule this week that will stop energy retailers claiming larger discounts than are actually available.  The rule states that no discount can be given for any product that would be higher than the standing offer if the discount was not available.   The rule has been bought about to decrease the confusion around energy bills and the numerous discounts that are available which have made switching energy supplier confusing for consumers. Energy Networks under tax review from the AER The Australian Energy

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  • Global Insights: 15th May 2018

    May 15, 2018

    Global Insights: 15th May 2018

    AUSTRALIA Hornsdale Power Reserve already reducing prices The Hornsdale Power Reserve (or Tesla Big Battery) in South Australia (SA)  released figures this week showing that it has managed to lower prices in the frequency and ancillary services (FCAS) market by 90%.   The battery which is responsible for 2% of the capacity in SA, captured 55% of the FCAS market which drove down prices by 90%.  It’s success in the market has been due to its speed and accuracy within the FCAS market.  This has led to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Tesla supporting

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  • Global Insights: 1st May 2018

    May 1, 2018

    Global Insights: 1st May 2018

    AUSTRALIA Energy customers could leave the grid if there is limited action on affordability concerns Network charging is causing affordability concerns for some customers in the National Energy Market.  The prohibitive cost of grid connection for new homes and the rising cost of the network standing charge on basic customer bills means that off-grid self-generation and storage is now more affordable, and in some areas more reliable, than a grid connection.  If customers leave the grid this means that the remaining grid connected customers face paying even higher network charges. In order to reduce the

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  • Global Insights: 24th April 2018

    April 24, 2018

    Global Insights: 24th April 2018

    AUSTRALIA National Energy Guarantee moves to next stage of the design process The COAG Energy Council met on Friday with one of the main points of discussion being the high-level design of the new National Energy Guarantee (NEG).  The NEG contains a Reliability Guarantee and Emissions Guarantee and the document released on Friday gives a high-level view of the how the National Energy Market (NEM) will meet the guarantee requirements.  It does not include what the Emissions Guarantee target will be but it does set out the detail of the reliability requirement. There has been

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  • Progress in Energy System Transformation: The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue

    April 24, 2018

    Progress in Energy System Transformation:  The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue

    Progress in Energy System Transformation:  The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue Anthony Froggatt, IGov Team and Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, 24th April 2018 Taking stock of progress in the transformation of the global energy sector is necessary, to assess the pace of technology deployment; the impact that this is having on current systems; and the challenges ahead. The 4th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) does just this, but it was also an occasion to assess the geographical breadth of the transformation.  With BETD representatives from ninety countries, it is clear that there is now

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  • Global Insights: 17th April 2018

    April 17, 2018

    Global Insights: 17th April 2018

    AUSTRALIA Huge growth expected for the commercial and industrial solar market The Clean Energy Regulator has projected a boom in the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market in 2018.  The boom in 100kW-1MW solar installations is expected to reach 100MW of cumulative capacity by the end of the year.  This is compared to a total of 10MW two years ago.  The economics around incorporating battery storage to gain more value from their PV and reduce grid reliance is also likely to prove attractive to the C&I market. The ‘Monash Forum’ backs coal in its manifesto

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  • Postcard from Australia – A National Electricity Market Overview

    April 16, 2018

    Postcard from Australia – A National Electricity Market Overview

    Postcard from Australia  A National Electricity Market Overview: decentralisation of electricity is not a future possibility, it is happening now Helen Poulter, IGov Team, 16th April 2018 Over the last few months, I have reported on a number of issues within the National Electricity Market (NEM), the electricity market for the eastern states of Australia, and its governance. These issues have arisen from the world leading levels of DER penetration in some of those States and also the rise of large-scale renewable energy generation within the NEM, particularly in South Australia (SA). What is noticeable is

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