New energy rules to prevent blackouts

A federal energy body has released new rules to shore up the reliability of the power system and combat technical failures that have led to blackouts.

The Australian Energy Market Commission released seven new rules on Tuesday night that require networks to provide a minimum level of system strength in order to be stable.

New connecting generators will have to pay for remedial action if they will affect minimum system strength levels.

Generators and networks will have to provide the commission with more detailed information about how their equipment performs to manage the changing power system.

And networks will have to ensure there is enough backup in the electricity grid to cope when there is a shortfall.

Coal and gas fired power stations and hydro plants have traditionally been synchronised to the grid.

But new generators such as wind turbines and solar panels can't be.

As coal-fired power stations are mothballed, it becomes harder to control the system's strength levels.

Earlier this month, the Australian Energy Market Operator released its annual stocktake of electricity supplies warning South Australians and Victorians face the risk of four-hour blackouts over summer unless governments follow through on plans for new battery storage and diesel generators.

The risk is highest in Victoria and South Australia, and beyond this summer in NSW and Victoria, after the Liddell power station closure planned for 2022.

NSW experienced heat-related power troubles in February and South Australians were plunged into darkness last September following severe storms.