Planning for operability
AEMO is responsible for maintaining and improving power system security in the National Electricity Market (NEM) and for providing a national, strategic perspective for electricity transmission planning and coordination.
AEMO considers the need for any power system security and reliability services in the NEM over the coming five years as part of its obligations to assess system strength, inertia and Network Support and Control Ancillary Services (NSCAS) requirements and shortfalls. Any shortfall declarations must be addressed by the transmission network service providers (or by AEMO in some cases for NSCAS).
This page provides AEMO’s system strength, inertia and NSCAS assessments, collectively known as the System Security Reports under the National Electricity Rules (5.20). Further information on AEMO’s other planning and coordination for power system security can be found on the Integrated System Plan (ISP) and Renewable Integration Study (RIS) and Power System Frequency Risk Review (PSFRR) pages.
Current assessments
On 11 May 2022, AEMO published an Update to the 2021 System Security Report.
On 17 December 2021 AEMO published the 2021 System Security Reports providing system strength, inertia and NSCAS assessments for the next five years.
Consultation
In October 2021, the AEMC released its final determination on the Efficient management of system strength in the power system. As a result of this rule change, AEMO has initiated consultation on its system strength instruments including amendments to the System Strength Requirements Methodology and System Strength Impact Assessment Guidelines.
Methodologies, procedures and position statements
System strength
AEMO sees system strength as the ability of the power system to maintain and control the voltage waveform at any given location in the power system, both during steady state operation and following a disturbance. More information about system strength can be found in AEMO’s System strength explained, and AEMO’s Power System Requirements reference papers.
To meet its obligation to consider system strength requirements in the NEM, AEMO:
- Publishes a system strength requirements methodology (provided below).
- Determines system strength requirements, including fault level nodes in each region and a minimum three phase fault level at each node, using fault level as a proxy for system strength.
- Assesses whether there is or is likely to be fault level shortfall in the region for the upcoming five-year period.
Inertia
Inertial responses provide a rapid and automatic injection of energy to suppress rapid frequency deviations, slowing the rate of change of frequency in the power system. A lack of inertial response can present risks to system security in the event that affected regions become separated from the rest of the NEM. More information about inertia can be found in AEMO’s Power System Requirements reference paper.
To meet its obligation to consider inertia requirements in the NEM, AEMO:
- Publishes an inertia requirements methodology (provided below).
- Determines the minimum threshold level of inertia for when a region is either islanded from the rest of the NEM or at credible risk of separation.
- Determines the secure operating level of inertia for when a region is electrically islanded.
- Assesses whether there is or is likely to be an inertia shortfall in the region for the upcoming five-year period.
Network Support and Control Ancillary Services (NSCAS)
Network Support and Control Ancillary Services (NSCAS) are non-market ancillary services that may be delivered to maintain power system security and reliability of supply of the transmission network, or to maintain or increase the power transfer capability of the transmission network. More information about the technical and operational needs of the power system can be found in AEMO’s Power System Requirements reference paper.
To meet its obligation to consider NSCAS needs in the NEM, AEMO:
- Develops and publishes a NSCAS description and quantity procedure (provided below).
- Assesses NSCAS needs for the upcoming five-year period.
- Publishes NSCAS tender guidelines, for cases where AEMO tenders for NSCAS rather than the transmission network service provider.
AEMO has now completed consultation on amendments to the NSCAS description and quantity procedure, with details available on the 2021 Network Support and Control Ancillary Services Description and Quantity Procedure Consultation page.
Additional information on NSCAS, including the NSCAS tender guidelines and historical documents, can be found on the Network support and control ancillary services procedures and guidelines page.
Previous version of the NSCAS description and quantity procedure:
The consultation materials on version 2.1 can be found on the 2020 NSCAS Description and Quantity Procedure Amendments consultation page.
Historical assessments
AEMO’s historical system strength, inertia and NSCAS assessments are provided below.
-
28/06/2021
2021 Notice of change to system strength requirement and shortfall at Ross
364.73 KB -
07/05/2021
2021 Notice of Tasmania system strength and inertia shortfalls
940.33 KB -
07/05/2021
2021 System strength and inertia workbook
2.75 MB -
17/12/2020
2020 System Strength and Inertia Report
2.1 MB -
17/12/2020
2020 NSCAS Report
1.03 MB -
17/12/2020
Planning for operability infographic
527.66 KB -
27/08/2020
2020 Notice of South Australia Inertia Requirements and Shortfall
561.8 KB -
06/08/2020
2020 Notice of change to system strength requirement and shortfall at Red Cliffs
155.33 KB -
09/04/2020
2020 Notice of Queensland system strength requirements and Ross node fault level shortfall
423.2 KB -
20/12/2019
2019 NSCAS Report
350.5 KB -
16/12/2019
Notice of Victorian Fault Level Shortfall at Red Cliffs
375.2 KB -
18/11/2019
Notice of Inertia Fault Level Shortfalls Tasmania Nov 2019
859.49 KB -
13/10/2017
Second Update to the 2016 NTNDP
615.46 KB