An Engineering Framework report on the steps required to operate the National Electricity Market at 100% instantaneous penetrations of renewables
Purpose of this Engineering Roadmap to 100% Renewables
The increasing proportion of renewable energy generation in the NEM, alongside the decommissioning of fossil fuel generation, is leading to a once in a lifetime change in the way the energy system is designed and operated. However, new renewable generators are seldom installed at the same network locations as retiring fossil fuel generators, and the power system support capabilities between these generation classes differ. As such, the transition is not a ‘straight swap’ of generation assets, with changes required to the supporting infrastructure and management of the energy system to maintain a secure energy supply in an evolving landscape.
The Engineering Roadmap to 100% Renewables provides an overview of the engineering challenges and associated actions that will need to be undertaken to operate the NEM for the first period of 100% instantaneous penetration of renewables, and the actions required to satisfy more regular operation at 100% renewable penetration. Responsibility for undertaking these actions and meeting the technical requirements identified in this report will ultimately be shared across many parties, including AEMO, NSPs, market bodies, market participants, and governments. This report does not seek to allocate new responsibilities. Instead, it seeks to provide AEMO’s best current perspective of the actions needed and promote discussion on the priority and relevance of these actions, to facilitate their efficient implementation over an appropriate timeframe in the long-term interests of consumers.
