The fast-tracking of a rule change requested by federal and state energy ministers, aimed at better identifying emerging risks to the security of the power system, has been approved by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC).
The request follows a recommendation by the AEMC in its final report into the issues arising from the 28 September 2016 South Australian black system event.
In the final report on mechanisms to enhance power system resilience, the AEMC recommended changes to implement a holistic general power system risk review process to identify emerging risks from all sources.
On 26 May 2020, the then COAG Energy Council made a rule change request for changes to the National Electricity Rules (NER) to implement a general power system risk review (GPSRR).
A GPSRR would build on the existing Power System Frequency Risk Review conducted by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) under s5.20A of the NER and provide a process for transparently assessing and identifying emerging risks to power system security.
The AEMC consulted extensively on its recommendation and its rationale through the process of its review of the South Australian black system event and decided on a fast track process for this request.
The AEMC said it will publish a draft determination shortly for further stakeholder feedback.
