AEMO releases Transition Plan Report, December 2024

Today, AEMO’s Transition Plan For System Security (pictured below) is released on the AEMO website.

It is the first release of what is anticipated to be an annual publication.

The report ties together many of the threads identified in previous AEMO studies in developing this plan for managing system security in a low emission power system.

It divides planning into three horizons:

1. Operational
2. Mid (2-5 years), and
3. Long (5+ years).

It uses these timeframes to:

• Provide a “structured approach for maintaining power system security by planning for and navigating key
  transition points”, and
• Define capabilities and progress understanding of “what is needed to achieve system security in a
  low-emissions power system”.

And it also reports on:

• The initial steps being taken by AEMO to use the new Transitional Services procurement framework to meet the Transitional Services Objective.
  • The objective of transitional services is to acquire services that enable AEMO to maintain power system security in the transition to a low- or zero-emissions power system. (That’s in the Rules, clause 3.11.11(a).)

The infographic provides the overview on key aspects. It’s available at the same page as the report:

Managing system load

Coinciding with the Transition Report release was a related AEMO report in the topic of managing minimum system load:

Supporting secure operation with high levels of distributed resources (pdf)

Media coverage

The ABC: Including commentary on how the operator is seeking emergency powers when demand is low and rooftop PV output is high.

AEMO provides detail on managing minimum operational demand and clarifies that AEMO has not asked for emergency powers to turn off rooftop solar.

The AEMO statement is here.

In PV Magazine:

AEMO makes case for rooftop solar control mechanism

In The Guardian:

South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW could experience blackouts from too much solar power, Aemo warns