Bidding algorithms: Don’t miss the forest for the trees
Declan Kelly from Flow Power follows up an earlier article discussing the impacts of algorithmic bidding, this time looking at some of the market benefits.
General Reform Initiatives
A catalog of some more general reform initiatives … which perhaps have not gone so far as to be (or are too broad to be) encapsulated in Rule Change initiatives.
Comparing AggROT for (44x) Coal Units with AggROT for Semi-Scheduled units through the history of the NEM
On Sunday (following from the discussion at the NEMdev conference in Brisbane a few weeks ago, and leading into this week’s All Energy 2025 in Melbourne) I highlighted these ‘Two *big concerns* that we...
Two *big concerns* that we urge the Nelson Review panel to (re)consider (with respect to Invisible Responses) following review of the Draft Report
With All Energy happening this week in Melbourne, plus the clock ticking down on preparations at the Nelson Review Panel for their final report, I've reached back to the NEMdev conference to write about...
How the NEM BESS fleet is operating on peak days, and how to be a savvy operator
In this guest article, Matt Grover from Fluence draws on operational data and real-world trading experience to unpack how Australia’s grid-scale batteries performed across three June 2025 peak days — and what capabilities belong...
Peeling the second layer of the onion, with respect to the (SemiSched-induced) frequency weakness on Thursday 16th October 2025
Having already noted the ‘Weakness in frequency stability on Thursday afternoon 16th October 2025’, we take a look at the causes - for the four high-profile dispatch intervals.
Are CIS-ters doin’ it for themselves? Part 4: Policy lessons highlighted by the Nelson Review
In the final part of our four-part CIS series, we zoom out to examine what government-backed Contract-for-Difference schemes are really achieving — drawing on policy lessons from the Nelson Review.
Winners announced, for CIS Tender 4
One day after the conclusion of the inaugural NEMdev 2025 conference (during which the CIS was discussed), the announcement was made of the winners of the Tender Round 4 of the Capacity Investment Scheme.
Are CIS-ters doin’ it for themselves? Part 3: Treatment of curtailment risk
In part three in this series about the CIS, we look at how a curtailment provision — briefly included in drafts for Tender 1 but later removed — may raise questions about how revenue...
Finally!! … A Major Review that sees (more closely) what’s actually been happening with Demand Response!
In part because I'm speaking at the NEMDev conference (Wed 8th Oct 2025 in Brisbane) we're taking a pass through the draft Report of the Nelson Review. Some (more realistic than earlier Reviews) statements...
Are CIS-ters doin’ it for themselves? Part 2: Understanding why there are delivery challenges
In part two of this four part series about the success of the CIS so far, we explore why delivery challenges may have emerged.
Are CIS-ters doin’ it for themselves? Part 1: Tracking the progress of CIS projects post-award
Recent debate has centred on the CIS’s success so far. In part one of this four-part series, we look at how projects have progressed since being awarded a contract.
Belatedly noting 16 winners announced (on Tuesday 16th September 2025) in Capacity Investment Scheme auctions
Coincident with last week's CEC's QCES in Brisbane, the Federal Government announced 16 winners for 'Tender 3' of the Capacity Investment Scheme.
Highlighting particular (frequency and/or AggROT) events through 2024 and 2025
In this article, we tie together various events since 1st January 2024 that featured either System Frequency outside the NOFB and large AggROT for Semi-Scheduled assets.
AEMC releases July 2024 working paper ‘Addressing the risk of algorithmic collusion’
Today we were alerted that the AEMC had belatedly published this 15-page Staff Working Paper titled ‘Addressing the risk of algorithmic collusion’.
An updated tabular list of instances of large AggROT across Semi-Scheduled units
Earlier today we trended the incidence of large Aggregate Raw Off-Target across all Semi-Scheduled units. In this updated tabulated list, we list each of the largest instances from January 2024 to June 2025.
Three broader questions (re)triggered by the Frequency Spike on Tuesday 19th August 2025
The (concerning) frequency spike across the NEM in the middle of the day (Tuesday 19th August 2025) has triggered many proximate questions - understandable - but also has raised these 3 Broader Questions.
Submissions due today (Thu 14th Aug 2025) on the AEMC draft report ‘Review of WDRM’
A belated note that the AEMC published a draft report on their review of the (nearly 4 year old) WDRM initiative - and noting that submissions close today.
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
Would it even be possible – to operate the NEM to achieve 82% renewable energy in 2030 (if the Semi-Scheduled category continues in its current form)?
Yesterday's release of the draft report of the Nelson Review has prompted me to re-frame a question I've asked before about the Semi-Scheduled category.
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.