This rule change request, submitted by Energy Consumers Australia, recommends changes to improve access to real-time data for consumers and their authorised representatives and is consistent with the Australian Energy Market Commission's (AEMC’s) recommendations from the Review of the regulatory framework for metering services.
Consultation paper
On 10 October 2024, the AEMC released a consultation paper on a rule change request.
The consultation paper seeks stakeholder feedback on the potential costs and benefits of improving access to real-time data from smart meters, and potential implementation considerations to improve access, in response to the rule change request.
The AER made a submission to the consultation paper on 2 December 2024.
Directions paper
On 30 January 2025, the AEMC released a directions paper on the rule change request.
The directions paper proposes a framework to enable real-time data access for consumers from their smart meters. It proposes:
- a definition of real-time data being voltage, current and phase angle recorded every second and delivered within a second;
- requiring retailers to offer real-time data access to all customers upon request with a once-off charge to consumers permissible for the first 15 years;
- requiring MSPs to provide a one-way stream of real-time data upon request in a manner that is interoperable and enables multi-party access; and
- requiring the AER to publish the price of accessing real-time data for each retailer and MSP annually.
The directions paper also seeks input on approaches to enable third-party access to real-time data whilst still ensuring that consumer consent has been satisfactorily obtained.
The AER made a submission to the directions paper on 24 February 2025.