Department/Agency
Australian Energy Market Commission
Type
Ministerial Forum / Standard Setting Body
Announcement date
3 March 2022
Link to announcement
https://www.aemc.gov.au/rule-changes/enhancing-operational-resilience-relation-indistinct-events
Problem being addressed
As power system technology evolves and as abnormal conditions, such as storms and bushfires, become more intense and frequent, ‘indistinct’ events (i.e. events that can impact multiple generators, loads or transmission lines in an unpredictable and uncertain manner) are becoming an increasing threat to maintaining a secure supply of electricity to customers. The absence of a clear framework that covers indistinct events increases risks to system security.
Proposal
The Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) final rule incorporates indistinct events under the existing contingent event framework and refines reporting requirements. This rule is expected to provide the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) with the ability to better manage system security while avoiding the cost and potential complexity of introducing a new, parallel framework solely for indistinct events. The AEMC sought stakeholder views on the draft determination and received positive feedback regarding the proposed rule change. Specifically, consultation confirmed that implementation of the rule using existing contingency frameworks is consistent with stakeholder expectations, and is predicted to reduce overall costs.
Assessed RIS outcome
Compliant Decision RIS