NEMMCO determines minimum reserve levels which are consistent with the Reliability Standard. Minimum reserve levels were last reviewed by NEMMCO in 2006.
On 30 August 2007, the AEMC gave notice of its Rule determination regarding the Abolition of Snowy Region. The Rule commenced on 30 August 2007, and the abolition of the Snowy region is due to occur on 1 July 2008 under the Rules.
In light of the decision to abolish the Snowy region, NEMMCO conducted a review of the 2006 Reserve level assessment to determine the new minimum reserve levels under the new regional boundary configuration. Note that the 2006 assessment itself remains valid as the underlying physical transmission network, generation and load conditions have not changed.
As a consequence, the minimum reserve levels shown below which are currently in use by NEMMCO, do not change. The net import limits, required for implementation of the minimum reserve levels in MT PASA will change, following the allocation of Snowy generation between Victoria and New South Wales.
Minimum Reserve Levels |
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QLD1 |
NSW |
VIC & SA2 |
SA1 |
TAS |
560 |
-1430 |
615 |
-50 |
144 |
- This is a local requirement and must be met by generation within the region.
- The minimum reserve level for the combined Victorian and South Australian regions (615 MW), and the local South Australian local requirement (-50 MW), must both be met.
Net Import Limits1 |
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QLD |
NSW |
VIC |
SA |
0 |
-330 |
940 |
0 |
- The minimum reserve level in Tasmania is currently set to be the size of the largest generating unit in the region. Tasmania 's minimum reserve level is calculated independent of any assumed interconnector power flow into the region, and therefore a net import limit is not applied when assessing Tasmania 's reserve margin in MT PASA.
These new minimum reserve levels will become operational in NEMMCO's MT PASA process on Tuesday 27 November 2007 .
The following report prepared by ROAM Consulting ("Translation of Minimum Reserve Levels after Abolishing the Snowy Region") describes in detail the process used to substantiate the resulting minimum reserve levels above.
Note that the report and table above assume the full availability of the Murray, Tumut and Guthega generation. NEMMCO has identified an adjustment to the net import limits above should there be a reduced availability for either Murray, Tumut or Guthega generation. The method of applying adjustments under reduced availability of Murray, Tumut or Guthega generation will be included in the version 10.0 of the "Interconnector limits forecast for MT PASA" document on Tuesday 27 November 2007.
Any queries contact David Bones on (07) 3347 3041 or Andrew Robertson on (03) 9648 8796.
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Translation of Minimum Reserve Levels Following Abolition of the Snowy Region : ROAM Consulting Report - 23 Nov 2007 |