What is changing?
From 24 October 2021, customers will be able to sell Demand Response (DR) to the National Electricity Market (NEM) under the new Wholesale Demand Response Mechanism (WDRM).
What is WDRM?
Under the WDRM, registered large customers will be able to sell demand response by offering to reduce their demand by either turning off loads or switching site load from the network to on-site generators to get paid at the wholesale spot price
How does it work?
To participate in WDR, the customer or their aggregator needs to be registered as a Demand Response Service Provider (DRSP) with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The WDR proposed load needs to be classified as a Wholesale Demand Response Unit (WDRU). AEMO’s approval is required for aggregation of loads for WDR participation. SA Power Networks’ endorsement is also required for this AEMO’s approval process where the proposed aggregation:
- would add one or more WDRUs to an aggregated dispatchable unity identifier (DUID); and
- includes WDRUs at or behind a single transmission node with an aggregate maximum responsive component (MRC) of 5 MW or greater
How can I apply for SA Power Networks’ endorsement?
- Complete the online application form. We will review your application and contact you within 5 business days.
- If you wish to proceed, there is a fee for this service. We will send you an invoice
- Once payment is received, we will complete the WDR endorsement assessment of your application
- We will keep you informed throughout the assessment
- If your WDR application meets our network requirements, you will receive an endorsement letter to provide to AEMO
- We aim to finalise our assessment within 25 business days. If we don’t provide you a response within this timeframe, and you decide to go directly to AEMO for approval, you are required to let us know via email
What information do I need to submit to SA Power Networks for endorsement?
Mandatory information for an application for endorsement can be found below. SA Power Networks may also request further information required to perform our assessment.
- Customer and site details, including address, contact number, and billing details
- Evidence that the customer has authorised the DRSP applicant to act on their behalf (where applicable)
- Number of sites in the proposed aggregation
- Combined Maximum Responsive Component (MRC) of the proposed aggregation
- Confirmation from DRSP that the proposed operating protocol does not deviate from the customer’s connection agreement
- Participating NMI(s), and the following:
- Participating asset type(s)
- Individual Maximum Responsive Component
- A description of the expected ramp/step-down and ramp/step-up profile of that NMI's MRC when activated, and associated time frames.
- A description of the operating procedure/protocol for activating the demand response
WDR endorsement application
Apply for our endorsement of your load aggregation proposal for WDR
Frequently Asked Questions
AEMO is responsible for the final decision on your application. Our endorsement is only used to help AEMO with their assessment.
SA Power Networks’ endorsement is required for this AEMO’s approval process where the proposed aggregation:
- would add one or more WDRUs to an aggregated dispatchable unity identifier (DUID); and
- includes WDRUs at or behind a single transmission node with an aggregate maximum responsive component (MRC) of 5 MW or greater
If you do not get a response within 25 business days, you can then go directly to AEMO to request approval. More information is available here in AEMO’s WDR guidelines
Our assessment outcome will be either:
- Endorsement without change
- Endorsement with conditions
- Not endorsed with reasons and recommendations
Our assessment will be offered as a quoted service. Depending on the complexity of the assessment, the applicable fee will be quoted after submitting an application
If you would like to discuss with someone before starting an application, please email us at NewEnergyServices@sapowernetworks.com.au