In September 2022, AEMO published the Consultation Paper: Proposed design for a Visibility Framework seeking feedback on the proposed visibility arrangements to support off-market participation of aggregations of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) acting as Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
The purpose of this Framework is to inform AEMO of the existence and operation of VPPs with the capability of moving material amounts of energy, so AEMO can make informed decisions when performing its function of keeping the power system secure as the power system transitions to a highly distributed energy future.
The feedback to the proposed design has helped to inform the development of the VPP Visibility Guideline, which AEMO published in early January 2023.
While feedback was sought on any aspect of the Proposed design for a Visibility Framework, AEMO was particularly interested in receiving views on:
- The staged approach to the implementation of the Visibility Framework.
- The matters to be covered in the VPP Aggregation Guideline.
- The Minimum Visibility Data Model and requirements around data provision and update frequency.
- The proposed uses of the Minimum Visibility Data.
- The potential costs of providing the Minimum Visibility Data.
Following stakeholder feedback, AEMO decided to extend the consultation period by two weeks. Stakeholders were then invited to provide written feedback by Wednesday 26 October 2022 to the email: WADERProgram@aemo.com.au.
AEMO received a total of five submissions and those that are able to be published are seen below.
In early January 2023, AEMO published the VPP Visibility Guideline accompanied with the VPP Visibility Guideline Explanatory Paper and Explanatory Note.