ATA’s view is that given the now overwhelming evidence in regards to the inefficient cost increases occurring in the NEM as a result of increasing peak demand, decreasing load factor, and an over-reliance on centralised electricity generation, a number of changes to the NER, and possibly other regulatory and legal instruments of the energy market, are necessary to ensure the achievement of the NEO and in particular serve the long term interests of consumers as enshrined therein.

These changes would create improved efficiencies at the wholesale market, distribution, transmission and retail level by driving down energy prices from their current steeply projected incline.

Please click here to view the submission: DSP3 Submission ATA 050712

Properly designed and implemented, feed-in tariffs (FiTs) offer the best opportunity to capture the market failures that exist in the national electricity market (NEM) with respect to the cost effective utilisation of demand side activities such as distributed generation (DG). As a policy mechanism, FiTs also offer the greatest potential for investment certainty for consumers and industry players in the relevant technology space.

Given the sole focus on solar PV, and the rapid reduction of installed prices for this particular technology over the last three years, FiTs both in Victoria and nationally have required adjustment to prevent over-incentivisation of the market. This has led to a perception of FiTs as being a problematic and unpredictable policy mechanism.

Click here to view the submission: ATA VCEC FiT Submission – Final 210312 v2.0

The ATA was closely involved in the policy process that lead to the development of the initial NSW gross FiT for solar generation.

Whilst many of the design features of the previous scheme were sound, the economics of the 2010 FiT policy were based on installed PV costs and the subsequent payback incentives relevant to the time period when the policy was developed – i.e. 2008/9. Installed costs around this time were of the order of $10 – $12 a watt (pre-Renewable Energy Certificate [REC] incentive).

In 2010, global silicon prices halved and significant economies of scale in global manufacturing began to flow through the supply chain – virtually halving the installed cost of a PV system in Australia in less than 12 months. No one could have foreseen the magnitude of the price drop in 2011 and the significant impact it would have on the NSW PV market.

This, and the overinvestment that occurred in solar PV in NSW during 2010 and in early 2011, is not a justification for removing or undervaluing electricity generated by distributed solar into the future.

Click here to view the submission: ATA IPART NSW FiT Submission – Final 240112 v2.0

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) and the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL) welcome the opportunity to comment on the inclusion of in-home displays (IHDs) in the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET).

This submission is based upon the considerable experience of both organisations in working with energy consumers, energy industry stakeholders and government in relation to smart metering, energy efficiency and new energy technologies.

In particular, the submission is based on discussions and consultations had as part of the Victorian Advanced Meter Infrastructure program, the National Smart Metering Program and associated working groups and processes.

We support the inclusion of IHDs in the VEET, and have found the Accenture modelling report to be reasonable.

Click here to view the submission: Final – MEFL ATA Submission – IHDs VEET 161211

The One Million Homes Alliance comprises consumer, community services and environment organisations with expertise in environmental, social and consumer policy. Most are also experienced practitioners of household energy and water efficiency upgrades. Our aim is to see a fair and effective scheme implemented to raise existing homes to an average five-star efficiency standard, and reduce energy and water costs for households.

During the last election the state Coalition committed to achieving an average of five stars for all existing
homes within the State, and the Alliance wants to see the Victorian Government fulfil this commitment. This submission focuses on energy and water efficiency initiatives that will help Victorians address cost of living pressures and utilities hardship, and result in smart resource use with strong environmental outcomes – all while moving the state towards achieving the five-star goal.

Click here to view the submission: OMH_budgetsubmission