Instances of system frequency outside the normal operating band
How common is it that mainland frequency deviates outside the NOFB (normal operating frequency band)?
Primary Frequency Response (PFR)
Unit deviations from target on Tuesday 19th August 2025
It appears it was unit availability used to set the target for dispatch that went awry, rather than unit output.
Submissions closing tomorrow (Wed 13th Aug 2025) to AEMO consultation on ‘Primary Frequency Response Test Guidelines for Semi-Scheduled Plant’
Worth noting, as I've just become aware, that submissions close tomorrow on AEMO's consultation on Primary Frequency Response (PFR) Test Guidelines for Semi-Scheduled Plant
Frequency performance payments 44 days in, part 2
Categories with a longer bar left of zero are losing more of their spot energy market revenue to regulation and PFR costs.
Frequency Performance Payments 44 days in
An initial review of payment and cost outcomes of the first 44 days of financial operation of the FPP arrangements.
Frequency change associated with coal generation events
System frequency shows improved resilience to sudden coal generation events since 2020.
The commencement of Frequency Performance Payments (FPP)
Yesterday (Sunday 8th June 2025) saw the commencement of the new Frequency Performance Payments (a.k.a. FPP) method.
Two diagrams to help illustrate the changes coming with FPP (Frequency Performance Payments)
We've facilitated a number of articles on WattClarity relating to the looming FPP changes (now 10 weeks away). Here's two images I've drawn up to (hopefully) illustrate my understanding of what these changes represent.
Today’s presentation to CEC’s Market & Grid Directorate
We thank the Clean Energy Council for the opportunity to share insights into revenue trends, cost trends, and analysis of upcoming changes for units operating in the NEM.
An initial look at Winners and Losers from Frequency Performance Payments (FPP)
In his first article, Jack Fox reports some initial observations from a review of the Non Financial Operations (NFO) data that's been published since Dec 2024.
Comparing Frequency Measures (Frequency, FI, FM)
The faster-moving nature of the FM, with the introduction of FPP, removes predictability in the indicator for frequency performance.
Incentivising primary frequency response
The implementation of the Primary frequency response incentive arrangements rule is driving change in how system frequency is controlled and paid-for. The changes stem from how the NEM will incentivise primary frequency response. 6...
About System Frequency
The NEM operates at a frequency of 50 hertz (Hz) which means the alternating current should cycle 50 times a second between positive and negative voltage.
Last Friday’s large and (mysterious) apparent drop in NSW ‘Market Demand’ (part 3) … what helped restrain frequency?
Friday 31st January 2025 (appeared to) experienced a very large drop in demand in NSW in a single dispatch interval - but we're now suspecting some form of data/operational glitch. However we wonder, if...
Frequency Performance Payments project commences non-financial operation, 9th December 2024
AEMO's Frequency Performance Payments (FPP) project has commenced in production today under "non-financial operation" (NFO).
NEM Mainland frequency patterns – historical overview from 2024
In this overview, we take a longitudinal look back at how frequency has changed over the years.
Has adding wind and solar upped the need for FCAS in the NEM?
Allan O'Neil digs through historic FCAS enablement and utilisation levels to examine whether there is an increasing trend in recent years.
Investigating last Friday’s frequent frequency swings
Allan O'Neil provides an explainer about how small deviations in supply and demand are managed in the NEM, in order to help us understand the apparent swings in frequency that we noted in QLD...
AEMC published final determination for ‘Primary frequency response incentive arrangements’
Some brief notes about the publication by the AEMC (on Thu 8th Sept 2022) of the Final Determination with respect to PFR Incentive Arrangements.
AEMC proposes PFR to remain mandatory–and big changes to causer-pays
The AEMC recently published a draft determination on Primary Frequency Response - proposing it remain mandatory, and to introduce big changes to the causer-pays process, including payments for good performance.