As the dispatchable storage market is in its early stages of development with several technical, commercial, social and regulatory barriers to overcome, it makes sense to consider how network service providers (NSPs) can play a valuable role to help further develop this niche.

Energy Consumers Australia recommends that the AER ensures that distribution network service providers (DNSPs) approach to the roll-out of flexible exports is transparent and communicated in a clear and understandable manner to both industry (including solar retailers and installers) and consumers.

As the AER acknowledges, the current market has only amplified the significance of the DMO as a tool to protect consumers from unreasonably high prices.

“How” technical standards are mandated and enforced, and “who” is responsible for mandating and enforcing, are the two key questions we see as unanswered in the current technical standards process.

DNSPs should only impose static exports on CER in rare cases. Read our recommendations to find out when.

In a market that will only get more complex, we advocate for an improved consumer protections framework.

The National Electric Vehicle Strategy has an important role in enabling a nationally comprehensive policy that allows all Australians to access the benefits of EVs, for both mobility and supporting the transition to a lower carbon electricity industry.

This submission focuses exclusively on Chapter 4 of the Stage 3 Draft Report on the regulatory treatment of concessional finance in the National Electricity Rules.

Improving transparent communication and engagement from network businesses with customers on their export services provides an excellent avenue to increase both trust and affordability.