EnergyAustralia Demand Response Program

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The EnergyAustralia Demand Response Program (DR) program is one of 10 flagship projects supported by the joint ARENA and AEMO $35.7 million DR Initiative, along with support from the NSW Government.The program began in December 2017 and involves the deployment of 18 MW of DR in NSW, increasing to 20 MW in years two and three. The program also involves 20 MW of DR in VIC/SA in year one, increasing to 30 MW in years two and three.During times of critically low reserves, AEMO will call upon EnergyAustralia to deliver the reserve capacity through a combination of direct load control and behavioural demand response.Key resultsEnergyAustralia ran its first large scale residential behavioural demand response test event in November 2020 with almost 100,000 customers invited to participate. Under the trial, EnergyAustralia removed 55 MW from the grid against a target of 50 MW.Only 6% of customers chose to opt out of participating in the test event, demonstrating that customers understand the benefits of participating and can collectively support the grid when there is a need.EnergyAustralia also successfully trialled a behavioural demand response product for small business customers, which was based on the PowerResponse residential product. Through these programs and others including battery VPP and C&I initiatives, EnergyAustralia’s participation in the ARENA Demand Response program will improve customer value and the energy landscape for years to come.

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