Early Assessment Framework
The Early Assessment Framework (EAF) workstream was established to help reduce duplication in the connections process and provide earlier confidence in plant models and technical documentation.
Developed through collaboration between AEMO and industry stakeholders, the EAF introduces an optional assessment pathway that allows Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to have generic plant models and supporting information reviewed before they are used in individual connection projects.
The workstream delivered the Early Assessment Framework Guideline, which outlines eligibility, assessment requirements and supporting information for OEMs wishing to obtain EAF certification.
The framework aims to:
- reduce duplication of assessment effort across projects
- improve confidence in plant models and documentation
- identify technical issues earlier in the project lifecycle
- support more efficient project-specific assessments
- improve investment certainty for industry participants.
Background
Discussions held in 2021 highlighted an opportunity to improve information fidelity, quality and consistency of OEM data and models provided during the application stage of a project. Following this, the OEM Data and Modelling workstream was established to investigate how best to work through model related issues.
The CRI project team established the OEM Data and Modelling focus group to identify whether an EAF process could be implemented before models are submitted during the connections process. The outcomes of this work evolved into the Early Assessment Framework workstream.
This workstream aimed to:
- improve information fidelity resulting in more realistic models and simulations
- reduce time and cost during the connections process
- create fair opportunities for all OEMs
- establish an overall trust in industry on current and emerging technologies.
Webinar
AEMO hosted a webinar on 26 May 2026 to introduce and explain the Early Assessment Framework, a non-project-specific pre-assessment stage for OEMs to independently validate their models and collaborate early with AEMO.