Analysis

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Unlocking Consumer Energy Resources: Addressing data sharing barriers with retailer participation

Australia’s energy transition increasingly relies on Consumer Energy Resources (CER) such as rooftop solar, batteries, electric vehicles and smart appliances, which are now essential to system reliability, affordability and resilience. Without effective data-sharing frameworks, however, the full potential of CER cannot be realised, limiting performance, innovation and market reform. A recent consultation paper under the National CER Roadmap identifies six key barriers, with retailers well placed to address many of them through clear policy direction and regulatory alignment. We take a closer look at the barriers outlined in the paper and the future role of retailers in addressing them.

BY David Markham Aug 14 2025

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Energy2050 – How Australia can achieve a net zero emissions future

As the pace and complexity of Australia’s energy transition intensifies, a new AEC project, Energy2050, aims to provide a clearer view of how the sector can realistically reach net zero by 2050. Rather than rehashing forecasts of what the energy mix will look like, the project will focus on the how - identifying the critical policy, market, and operational considerations needed to deliver a reliable, affordable and sustainable system. This week, we outline the scope of the project and the key challenges it will explore.

BY Louisa Kinnear Aug 07 2025

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Retail reform reset: Why price controls alone won’t power the transition

In June the Federal Government announced it would review the Default Market Offer methodology used by the Australian Energy Regulator to set the safety net price for 8-9 per cent of households who are not able to or who do not go onto competitive market offers. The review is considering bringing the DMO closer to the approach used to set the separate Victorian Default Offer. To better understand the differences between DMO and VDO and help inform the review, the Australian Energy Council commissioned Ernst & Young (EY) to assess the different methodologies. Here Jo De Silva considers the report findings and the broader implications of the proposed changes, as well as other options for price reform.

BY Jo De Silva Jul 31 2025

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Can the ECA’s network blueprint deliver better outcomes?

Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) has proposed a new planning approach: the Integrated Distribution System Plan, or IDSP. It’s not a buzzwordy rebrand of existing processes, it’s a rethink from the ground up which would see each network releasing a 20-year roadmap every two years, incorporating national forecasts, like those in the Integrated System Plan (ISP). And instead of guesswork it could deliver coordinated, transparent data that enables better planning and more efficient CER investment. We take a look at what’s proposed and the benefits it could deliver.

BY David Markham Jul 31 2025

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The energy transition and power bills: Why aren’t they cheaper?

With energy prices increasing for households and businesses there is the question: why aren’t we seeing lower bills given the promise of cheaper energy with increasing amounts of renewables in the grid. A recent working paper published by Griffith University’s Centre for Applied Energy Economics & Policy Research has tested the proposition of whether a renewables grid is cheaper than a counterfactual grid that has only coal and gas as new entrants. It provides good insights into the dynamics that have been at play.

BY Carl Kitchen Jul 24 2025

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Kerbside EV Charging: The promise and the pitfalls of monopoly deployment

As Australia accelerates its transition to electric vehicles (EVs), the spotlight is increasingly turning to public charging infrastructure and in particular the potential of kerbside EV charging to support widespread adoption. A recent proposal by Citipower, Powercor, and United Energy to install and operate 100 kerbside chargers through a waiver from ring-fencing rules has ignited a robust debate about how - and by whom - this infrastructure should be deployed. Here we review the merits of kerbside charging and the waiver proposal and consider the practical realities that sound caution for waiver decisions.

BY David Markham Jul 17 2025

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The gas transition: What do gorillas have to do with it?

The gas transition poses an unavoidable challenge: what to do with the potential for billions of dollars of stranded assets. Current approaches, such as accelerated depreciation, are fixes that Professorial Fellow at Monash University and energy expert Ron Ben-David argues will risk triggering both political and financial crises. He has put forward a novel, market-based solution that he claims can transform the regulated asset base (RAB) into a manageable financial obligation. We take a look and examine the issue.

BY David Markham Jul 03 2025

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2025 Federal Election: Distinctly Different Energy Policies

Energy has been a major issue and point of difference for the major parties. Labor and the Coalition offer sharply contrasting visions, with significant implications for generation investment, grid reliability, emissions outcomes, and regulatory certainty. With a minority government considered a strong possibility, we examine the competing platforms of Labor and the Coalition, as well as the positions of the Greens, Teals, and key Independents.

BY Tom Monaghan May 01 2025

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Will power prices come down? Not as a result of the current election announcements

Australia’s energy system is undergoing a complex, large-scale transition which requires stable, long-term policy and investment signals. Recent announcements have focused on short-term relief measures, but these do little to address the underlying structural drivers of power prices. Achieving lower cost outcomes for consumers will depend on the timing and volumes of renewables integration (particularly wind), investment in firm, dispatchable energy sources, and better integration of consumer energy resources. Chief Executive, Louisa Kinnear, assesses the policy proposals made by both parties, and offers up a range of suggestions on what government and policymakers should focus on in order for the energy transition to be delivered at the lowest cost.

BY Louisa Kinnear Apr 24 2025

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Certificate schemes – good for governments, but what about customers?

Retailer certificate schemes have been growing in popularity in recent years as a policy mechanism to help deliver the energy transition. The report puts forward some recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of these schemes. It also includes a deeper dive into the Victorian Energy Upgrades program and South Australian Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme.

BY Rhys Thomas Apr 17 2025

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Beyond the Rebate: Battery Policy, VPPs, and Household Returns

A re-elected Labor Government’s promise to cut home battery costs by 30 per cent through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) has sparked interest—and raised questions. While the move may accelerate battery uptake among solar households, critics warn it could deepen inequities by leaving renters and vulnerable customers behind. More importantly greater value will be realised if the storage capacity is also coordinated through mechanisms like Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). We take a look at the benefits of VPPs.

BY David Markham Apr 10 2025

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Navigating Energy Consumer Reforms: What is the impact?

Both the Essential Services Commission (ESC) and Australian Energy Market Commission have recently unveiled consultation papers outlining reforms intended to alleviate the financial burden on energy consumers and further strengthen customer protections. These proposals range from bill crediting mechanisms, additional protections for customers on legacy contracts to the removal of additional fees and charges. We take a closer look at the reforms currently under consultation, examining how they might work in practice and the potential impact on consumers.

BY Braeden Keen Feb 20 2025

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Is time running out for new generation in WA?

As Western Australia edges towards its next State Election in March, the energy sector continues to be a hot button topic. Already this year, the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) has been forced to navigate record peak demand and highest demand days, a massive test for operators and market participants who successfully dealt with the challenge. Despite this resilience, the timely delivery of new generation will be critical to address the forecast capacity shortfall by the end of the decade and ensure a reliable and affordable system for industry and consumers. Removing the bottlenecks preventing new generation from connecting to the grid in a timely manner will be crucial. Here we take a look at the challenges of delivering new projects in WA and cast a spotlight on some of the issues that still need to be addressed.

BY Graham Pearson Feb 13 2025

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Wholesale Market Settings Review – A Shared Vision Is Required

The Federal Government’s review into the National Electricity Market (NEM) wholesale market settings is a crucial step in ensuring reliable energy supply as coal-fired generation phases out and renewables become the dominant energy source. With energy markets worldwide facing the challenge of balancing low-emissions, low-cost generation with the need for firmed energy supply, this review must identify reforms that incentivise investment in flexible, dispatchable generation sources. So, what will be needed in order for this review to succeed? We take a closer look.

BY Louisa Kinnear Feb 06 2025