The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has announced that it is conducting the second stage of consultation on proposed amendments to various metering procedures as a result of a number of issues across various procedures and guides raised by both proponents from industry and AEMO.
Interested parties are invited to comment on the proposed changes contained within the draft report. Submissions should be sent to AEMO by 5 PM Melbourne time on 6 August 2019.
On 20 May 2019 AEMO published the first notice stage consultation and issue paper for a package of amendments called the Metering ICF Package. Various amendments are proposed including to the following documents:
- MSATs procedures: CATs
- MSATs procedures: WIGS
- Metrology procedure: Part A
- Metrology procedure: Part B
- Service Level Procedure: Meter Data Provider Services
- Service Level Procedure: Meter Provider Services
- Service Level Procedure: Embedded Network Manager Services
- Exemption Procedure: Meter Installation Malfunctions
AEMO received 15 submissions from retailers, local network service providers, metering providers, metering data providers and intending participants. AEMO identified nine material issues from the submissions received and these include: updating MSATs about remote de-energisation and remote re-energisation, and clarifying communication for identification of incorrect NMI and metering installation.
Some of the key issues considered in the report are discussed below.
Clarifying the LNSP’s obligations in relation to creating Embedded Network Codes
The proposed amendments clarify the sections on Embedded Network Code and Rules in the MSATs Procedures: CATs and defines the timeframes for the provision of various embedded network details. AEMO noted the obligation in clause 2.9 (e) for AEMO to populate MSATs with the embedded network code provided to AEMO by the LNSP within two business days of receipt. AEMO noted that a valid Embedded Network Code and information about the appointed Embedded Network Manager is required to ensure that child NMIs are established quickly. AEMO concluded that no further changes should be made to the proposed MSATs Procedures: CATS.
Updating MSATs about remote de-energisation and remote re-energisation
The existing MSATs procedure requires the metering provider to update MSATs when a meter is remotely de-energised in remotely re-energised. However, it does not define the date to be used when updating MSATs. AEMO noted that there is a risk that different MPs may apply different logic to determine the date to use when updating MSATs which may lead to confusion within the market. The proposed amendment defines the date to be applied to remote de-energisation as the day after de-energisation.
Define timeframes for updating datastreams in MSATs
The proposed changes define the timeframe for updating data streams in MSATs Procedure: CATS as two business days. Following feedback, AEMO updated the proposed clause to reflect when the timeframe should commence and updated the clause wording to provide clarity.
There were various other changes under consideration and interested parties are advised to refer to AEMO’s website or to contact us with any questions.
