As the summer peak approaches, AEMO is working to ensure plans are in place to actively manage heightened risks to power system operations to ensure the delivery of reliable and secure power to consumers.
These plans are laid out in the summer readiness plan, updated for 2020-2021 and available on the AEMO website.
The summer operations infographic provides a snapshot of how AEMO manages the National Electricity Market (NEM), the world’s longest power grid during its heaviest demand period. It demonstrates the actions taken by AEMO before, during and after the long, hot Australian summer.
For those seeking further detail or background, the AEMO website is home to a range of educational materials and resources designed to provide background information, in-depth technical analysis and/or plain language explanations, including in relation to the operation of the NEM and the mechanisms at AEMOs disposal to support reliable operations.
The updated fact sheets include topics covering:
- Lack of Reserve (LOR) notices - outlining AEMO's market function to encourage the increase of electricity generation to improve reserve margins and maintain power system reliability.
- The Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) - defining the function AEMO uses to maintain system security and reliability when the grid experiences both high demand and reserve shortfalls.
- Load Shedding - an explanation of why load shedding may be required and how it works to protect the national electricity system.
AEMO's website contains a wealth of information about Australia’s energy markets, including the resources below:
| Topic | Information covered | Location/link |
| National Electricity Market (NEM) | NEM and AEMO’s role in the NEM. | NEM Fact Sheet |
| NEM data | Current and historical price/demand/ generation fuel mix information. | NEM data dashboard |
| NEM market participants | Registration requirements, responsibilities and functions of each type of participant. | NEM Participants |
| NEM data | Long term historical data - price and demand by region, by month. | Price demand data |
| Wholesale electricity market | WEM data dashboard | |
| Power System Requirements | Technical and operational needs for maintaining a secure and reliable system. | System requirements |
| Generation | Capacity of existing, withdrawn, committed, and proposed generation projects in the NEM. | Report |
| CSIRO GenCost report | Generation, storage, cost, projections (incl. renewable v coal fired). | GenCost report |
For more information: AEMO Media I Mobile: 0409 382 121 I Email: media@aemo.com.au