AU Energy Compliance Archives | Page 22 of 26

Feb162018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

Further information on the National Energy Guarantee

Yesterday we received some further information on the National Energy Guarantee in the form of a consultation paper. We have summarised this for you below. Also of interest was the release of the following (thanks to the Smart Energy Council for the heads up): Climate Council energy storage report http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/battery-storage-2018 International Energy Agency report on Australia (link to report here) When we first discussed the National Energy Guarantee (NEG), details were thin on the ground. New materials have just been released by the Energy Security Board (ESB) providing a significant amount of information about how the NEG might operate and asking for stakeholder input. As this is a significant piece of reform we look at the two key components of the NEG separately. In today’s piece, we look at the…

Feb142018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

Explicit Informed Consent: Energy Industry Refresher

AU Energy Compliance

Explicit informed consent is required to 'switch' a consumer from one retailer to another. Following extensive news and political coverage of energy costs, we are seeing an increase in the numbers of consumers 'switching.' Today we look at the elements of explicit informed consent, compliance failures, and risk factors. Explicit informed consent is one of the most important concepts in the energy industry. “Explicit informed consent is a key protection and it is critical to ensuring that customers are confident engaging in the energy market,"...“The AER takes any failure by retailers to meet this obligation very seriously, and will take enforcement action in appropriate cases." - AER Board Member Jim Cox [caption id="attachment_3106" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash[/caption] By Connor James, Compliance Quarter. Why Explicit Informed Consent (EIC)…

Feb92018 by Steven FindleyNo Comments

Webinars with the Energy Experts at Compliance Quarter

AU Energy Compliance, Uncategorized

In addition to our regular news updates and analysis, the regulatory energy experts at Compliance Quarter have been busy helping to educate our clients with free webinars. Over the last 8 months, we've engaged with over 500 people on our webinar series, allowing us to get free education, advice and news out to more people than we thought possible. Below is a summary of the webinars we've produced so far, along with links to our upcoming episodes: Compliance Quarter "Energy Experts" Webinar Series Update on Embedded Networks 16 August 2017 - 11am AEDT - http://bit.ly/2FYmOtB Energy Retail Update 24 August 2017 - 11am AEDT - http://bit.ly/2sjpdwD AEMC taking the axe to Embedded Network Exemptions 18 January - 11am AEDT - http://bit.ly/2BKscSU Access Password: Energy001…

Feb72018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

Are you prepared for 1 April 2018? Five questions about the new registration requirements for the sale or supply of electricity in Victoria

AU Energy Compliance

The ESC announces registration and provision of key information in relation to the sale or supply of electricity in Victoria. We take a deeper look. The Victorian State Government (the Government) recently announced that those who currently sell or supply electricity under an exemption in Victoria (such as those ‘on-selling’ in a private electricity (or ‘embedded’ network), will now be required to register and provide key information to the Essential Services Commission (ESC).[1] The new registration requirement will apply from 1 April 2018. In today’s article, we give you a quick run-down on the new requirements as well as proposals that the Government seeks feedback on. [caption id="attachment_3052" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo by Jens Moser on Unsplash[/caption] Background Late last year we discussed proposals that the majority of those with existing…

Feb42018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

New restrictions on foreign investment in energy infrastructure

AU Energy Compliance

On February 1, the Commonwealth Government announced new restrictions on foreign investment in energy - future applications for the sale of electricity transmission and distribution assets, and some generation assets will have ownership restrictions or conditions put in place for foreign purchasers (http://sjm.ministers.treasury.gov.au/media-release/005-2018/) In today’s piece we look at: what we know from the Government’s announcement; whether it changes the status quo; how it relates to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Bill 2017 currently working its way through Parliament; new guidance for the purchase of agricultural land that has been announced at the same time. By Dr Drew Donnelly, Compliance Quarter. [caption id="attachment_3005" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash[/caption] The announcement on foreign investment in energy The announcement does not actually list the ownership conditions and restrictions. Presumably, they…

Feb22018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

New electricity and gas consumption benchmarks apply from March 2018

AU Energy Compliance

We recently discussed changes to the way in which retail pricing information is communicated to retail customers (see https://compliancequarter.com.au/new-format-communicating-retail-pricing-information-energy-customers/). Another recent change that retailers will need to come to terms with are the new electricity and gas consumption benchmarks. Retailers will be required to update their customer billing to include electricity consumption benchmarks for bills issued from 30 March 2018 onwards. In today’s piece, we explain how the benchmarks are to be used by retailers. For further information see the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) Guidance on energy consumption benchmarks on residential customers’ bills (https://www.aer.gov.au/system/files/Bill%20benchmark%20guidance%202018_0.pdf). [caption id="attachment_2973" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo by Maxime Le Conte des Floris on Unsplash[/caption] The purpose of electricity and gas consumption benchmarks Electricity and gas consumption benchmarks let customers compare their own household energy use with the…

Feb12018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

New format for communicating Retail Pricing Information to energy customers

AU Energy Compliance

There has been strong demand over the last few years for improved customer access to information that will help them meaningfully compare different energy plans and thereby access more affordable energy. In response to this concern, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has revised its draft Retail Pricing Information Guidelines (the draft Guidelines) for which it now seeks public feedback. In today’s article, we summarise those draft Guidelines. Reason for change A range of reviews and consultations over the last few years (including the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market (the ‘Finkel Review’)) have identified that one of the contributors to energy unaffordability for consumers is the difficulty for consumers in working out where they can get a better deal. Consultation on a Customer Price Information…

Feb12018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

Webinar Recording: Legal Update: Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s): Key legal concerns

AU Energy Compliance

Under a PPA, the energy consumer pays for electricity consumed or generated from a solar PV system installed on their premises. The benefit to the consumer is that there is no upfront cost. There is a range of legal considerations for a business looking to offer a PPA. Are solar panels fixtures? What can go wrong? Today we answer some of these key questions. View our webinar here. by Connor James and Anne Wardell Welcome The presentation will run for 25 minutes then we will have a Q & A for 10 minutes after. What is a PPA? PPA stands for Power Purchase Agreement. It is a contract to purchase electricity at a pre-determined price for a fixed period. Who are the parties to a PPA? • A purchaser or off-taker.…

Feb12018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

Webinar Recording Energy Updates: AEMC taking the axe to Embedded Network Exemptions

AU Energy Compliance

If implemented, the AEMC recommendations will effectively take an axe to the existing regulation of embedded networks - embedded network exemptions - redefining a sector of the energy market that is growing in importance. The changes discussed in this webinar are focused on NECF jurisdictions (NSW, QLD, SA, ACT and TAS). In a webinar to follow we will consider similarly significant changes to be implemented in Victoria following the gazettal of a new section 17 order. View our webinar here. Hosted by Connor James and Anne Wardell Welcome The presentation will run for 25 minutes then we will have a Q & A for 10 minutes after. What is an Embedded Network? • Embedded networks are private electricity networks connected to the distribution and transmission system of the national electricity…

Jan302018 by Connor JamesNo Comments

GEMS Act Review, Renewable Energy Targets and AER announcements: January 2018 Energy Compliance Update

AU Energy Compliance

With only the first month of the year gone there have already been a range of regulatory initiatives announced that affect businesses in the energy industry. In our first monthly update on energy regulation and compliance for the year we identify the regulatory and compliance announcements that you should be aware of, including renewable energy targets. [caption id="attachment_2938" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplashgy,[/caption] The GEMS Act Review On 19 January, the first independent review of the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012 (GEMS Act) was announced. The GEMS Act is the legislation that allows the Government to set mandatory minimum efficiency requirements for appliances and products and national labelling requirements. This five-year independent review is mandated by the Act and will report to the Minister by…