Flexible Certified Reserve Capacity
A new capacity product has been introduced for the 2025 Reserve Capacity Cycle and future cycles, as part of the RCM review. Market Participants now have an opportunity to apply for Flexible Certified Reserve Capacity with the aim to incentivise capacity that can start, stop, ramp up and ramp down quickly.
The need for Flexible Capacity is driven by the magnitude, slope, and duration of the ramp up from minimum demand to the evening peak required to manage the increasing penetration of renewable energy on the SWIS.
Facilities which can meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements will be assigned Flexible Certified Reserve Capacity based on the maximum output they can achieve within four hours from a cold state, with the quantity of Flexible Certified Reserve Capacity capped at the level of Peak Certified Reserve Capacity. It is important to note that it is not possible to be assigned Flexible Certified Reserve Capacity without receiving Peak Certified Reserve Capacity.
All technology types are potentially eligible for Flexible Capacity, with different Minimum Eligibility Requirements for each technology type. Facilities in the NSF class are not eligible to receive Flexible Certified Reserve Capacity under clause 4.11.1 (bH) of the WEM Rules.
|
Requirement |
Non-Intermittent Generating System |
Intermittent Generating System |
Electric Storage Resource |
Demand Side Programme |
|
The maximum allowed minimum stable loading level expressed as a percentage of nameplate capacity |
46% |
46% |
N/A |
N/A |
|
The minimum allowed ramp up rate expressed as a percentage of nameplate capacity per minute |
3% |
3% |
3% |
3% |
|
The minimum allowed ramp down rate expressed as a percentage of nameplate capacity per minute |
3% |
3% |
3% |
3% |
|
The maximum time (in minutes) allowed between receiving a Dispatch Instruction when in a particular state and operating in a specific way |
30 |
5 |
N/A |
5 |
|
Capable from switching from charging to discharging (and vice versa) in a single Dispatch Interval |
N/A |
N/A |
Y |
N/A |
|
Fast Start Facility |
Y |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Flexible Capacity providers will be paid an additional amount for their Flexible Capacity Credits (when the Flexible Reserve Capacity Price is higher than the Peak Reserve Capacity Price) to incentivise investment in technology that meet these requirements.
Under the transitional rules, if the Peak Reserve Capacity Price is higher than the Flexible Reserve Capacity Price in the 2025 Reserve Capacity Cycle, all Flexible Capacity obligations will be waived for the 2027-28 Capacity Year.
Please contact the WA Capacity Investment & Assessment team on wa.capacity@aemo.com.au with any queries.