Electricity market transformation

Energy historically flowed from large central power stations through our networks. Now, there's a two-way flow as homes with solar panels generate their own energy. 

Our role as a Distribution System Operator (DSO) expands on our traditional services. There are three main functions: 

1.  Enabling customer choices: We connect rooftop solar, home batteries and electric vehicle chargers to our network. This allows excess power to be exported and shared with neighbours or the wholesale electricity market. 

2.  Facilitating new competition. New trader services such as electricity aggregators are entering the market. This provides new opportunities for customers to participate and benefit. We contribute by signalling network conditions that influence how these third parties operate. 

3.  Maintaining system security and network stability. This is done in coordination with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). 

All customers should benefit from the changing market. 

Those who invest in solar or other distributed energy can receive financial benefits. But there can be many reasons why customers choose not to take part. This could include:  

• upfront cost of technology 
• the lack of a suitable roof for solar  
• challenges associated with living in apartments or rental properties. 

Everybody benefits from the environmental gains from more enabling renewable energy. Technologies like batteries can also deliver lower network tariffs by avoiding higher cost upgrades. 

We are developing new services to meet our responsibilities as a DSO. 

This includes: 

• Emergency backstop for rooftop solar 
• Flexible Exports
• Community batteries 
• Stand-alone power systems 
• Flexible hot water  
• Pole-mounted electric vehicle chargers