Non-network opportunities

Non-network solutions can include demand management programs, as well as flexible services, such as grid-connected battery storage, neighbourhood batteries, electric vehicles and other behind-the-meter battery storage solutions.

We actively engage organisations to develop non-network solutions that defer, reduce, or even remove the need to invest in our network. This helps keep costs low for customers.

Access to network data is critical to the development of non-network solutions. To improve visibility of constraints on our network, we’ve partnered with UK technology company, Piclo Energy to develop a cloud-based flexibility marketplace.

Using it is simple – all you need to do is register your asset, wait for new competitions to be released in your area and submit your bid all in the same easy-to-use platform.

How to access Piclo Flex

To view the marketplace go to aus.picloflex.com.

To register your flexibility service on the marketplace, go to aus.picloflex.com/register/confirm.

For more information about Piclo Flex, go to support.picloflex.com.

Piclo Flex webinar

We hosted an webinar to provide companies, government bodies and community groups with a demonstration of the new flexibility marketplace platform. A recording of the webinar can be viewed below.

Want to learn more?

If you’d like to lean more about our opportunities, contact us at non_network.solutions@ue.com.au.

Flexibility is the capability of distributed energy resources to provide network services when called on.

This helps reduce pressure on the network. When the service is activated, the service provider receives a payment for every unit of electricity provided. For example, by supplying extra generation during summer peak periods, or by shifting large loads such as electric vehicles to the middle of the day when solar energy is abundant.

As a distribution system operator, we pay flexibility service providers to help manage the distribution network when called on. This requires extensive engagement with third parties to guarantee a reliable service for our customers.

Flexibility services are technology agnostic and can also include increasing consumption or reducing generation when there’s excess renewable energy generation. Or during peak demand hours, reducing electricity consumption or increasing generation to reduce the demand on the network.

We provide a Demand Side Engagement Strategy to assist non-network providers in understanding our framework and processes for assessing demand side options. This strategy also discusses our consultation process with non-network providers.

As consumers generally continue to require more electricity to meet their needs, non-network providers are having an increasingly important role in the supply of electricity. Where technically feasible and economic, non-network options can help to address localised constraints in the network and thus defer network augmentation. As such, non-network options have the potential to meet rising demand at a lower cost to consumers.

This strategy provides information on how we will engage with non-network providers and how consider non-network options.