Under the National Electricity Rules the Panel is responsible for developing and publishing the following power system standards and guidelines to assist AEMO perform its power system security and reliability functions:
Power system security and reliability standards
Clause 8.8.1(a)(2) of the National Electricity Rules requires the Reliability Panel to determine the power system security and reliability standards. These standards may include, but are not limited to, standards for the frequency of the power system in operation, contingency capacity reserves (including guidelines for assessing requirements), short term capacity reserves and medium term capacity reserves. These are the current power system security and reliability standards:
• reliability standards (and its associated determination);
• frequency operating standards (mainland) ; and
• frequency operating standards (Tasmania ).
The Panel has set the reliability standard for the NEM at 0.002% unserved energy (USE). AEMO implements and operates this standard, and as part of that process determines the levels of contingency capacity reserves, short term capacity reserves and medium term capacity reserves necessary to apply the USE standard.
System restart standards
Clause 8.8.3(a)(5) of the National Electricity Rules requires the Reliability Panel to determine the system restart standard for the acquisition of system restart ancillary services.
The following guidelines are included as part of the system restart standard:
• guidelines for primary restart services and secondary restart services; and
• guidelines for AEMO in determining electrical sub-networks.
At present, AEMO has developed an interim system restart standard, in accordance with clause 11.2.1 of the National Electricity Rules. The Panel intends to commence its consultation on the above guidelines in 2009.
Performance standards
Clause 8.8.1(a)(7) of the National Electricity Rules requires the Reliability Panel to publish a report on the implementation of automatic access standards and minimum access standards as performance standards. On 30 April 2009 the Panel published its final report for its Technical Standards Review of the adequacy and content of the technical standards.
Plant standards
In accordance with clause 8.8.1(a)(8) of the National Electricity Rules, the Reliability Panel has not received any requests to determine an acceptable alternative to a particular minimum access standard or automatic access standard for a particular class of plant. Accordingly, the schedules in Chapter 5 of the National Electricity Rules establish an acceptable alternative to a particular minimum access standard or automatic access standard for a particular class of plant.
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Principles and guidelines for maintaining power system security
Clause 8.8.1(a)(2a) of the National Electricity Rules requires the Reliability Panel to develop and publish principles and guidelines that determine how AEMO should maintain power system security, while taking into account the costs and benefits to the extent practicable. The Panel has not commenced its consultation on these principles and guidelines.
Guidelines for intervention by AEMO for reliability and Policies and guidelines on AEMO's power to enter into contracts for the provision of reserve
Clause 8.8.1(a)(3) of the National Electricity Rules requires the Reliability Panel to determine guidelines governing AEMO's exercise of power to issue directions in connection with maintaining or re-establishing the power system in a reliable operating state. That is, if there is a major supply shortfall in the National Electricity Market, AEMO must under clause 4.8.9(i) implement any necessary involuntary load shedding in an equitable manner, in accordance with guidelines established by the Reliability Panel as part of the power system security and reliability standards . The current guidelines for management of electricity supply shortfall events (PDF) were developed by the Reliability Panel as part of the Review of Operational Arrangements for the Reliability Standards. The original guidelines were developed by the National Electricity Code Administrator (NECA).
Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) Guidelines
Clause 3.20.8(b) of the National Electricity Rules requires the Reliability Panel to develop, publish and amend from time to time guidelines that guide AEMO when it operates the Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT). The Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) as they apply to rule 3.20 of the Rules are given in Appendix A of the Panel's RERT guidelines final report. Refer to Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) Guidelines .
Clause 8.8.1(a)(4) of the National Electricity Rules requires the Reliability Panel to determine policies and guidelines governing AEMO's exercise of power to enter into contracts for the provision of reserves. Under the current Rules AEMO can only contract for reserves using the RERT and must take into account the RERT Guidelines.
System operating incidents guidelines
Clause 8.8.1(a)(9) of the National Electricity Rules requires the Reliability Panel to determine guidelines identifying or providing for the identification of operating incidents and other incidents that are of significance. These are the current system operating incidents guidelines , and its associated determination.
AEMO report to the Reliability Panel on Electricity Statement of Opportunity (ESOO) demand forecasts
Clause 3.13.3(u) of the National Electricity Rules requires AEMO to prepare and provide a report to the Reliability Panel in November of each year on the accuracy of the demand forecasts in the most recent ESOO, and any improvements made by AEMO or other related parties to the forecasting process that will apply to the next ESOO. The Reliability Panel is subsequently required to publish this report.
Report on demand forecasts for the SOO 2008
Report on demand forecasts for the ESOO 2009