Non-network solutions are essential to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transmission services for customers. We actively engage non-network solution providers to reduce, defer or replace the need for network investment, and to deliver power system security services such as system strength and voltage control.
Powerlink actively engages with providers of non-network solutions to meet emerging power system security needs, and identify suitable non-network solutions to reduce, defer or even replace the need for future transmission network investment, delivering better outcomes for our customers.
Non-network solutions can also form part of an overall network reconfiguration strategy when a network asset has reached end-of-life to assist in achieving the right balance between reliability and the cost of transmission services.
See our Power System Security Consultations and Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) pages for details of recent/current opportunities for proponents of non-network solutions.
Powerlink anticipates an increase in the number of Network Support Agreements in future, and that a range of technologies will be procured to provide solutions. Our Transmission Annual Planning Report identifies potential opportunities for future non-network solutions for our network over the next five years and where possible within the 10-year outlook period. Powerlink also welcomes discussions on these potential opportunities to inform the development of future regulatory consultations.
While the ultimate structure and content of any Network Support Agreement will depend on the particular circumstances of the support that may be proposed or provided, Powerlink’s Network Support Contracting Framework outlines the key contracting principles that are likely to appear in any Network Support Agreement.
The Security Enablement Procedures, published by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), will apply to any Network Support Agreements for system security services. More information on the Security Enablement Procedures is available on AEMO’s website.