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Demand Response in the Eastern states

Earn revenue for reducing energy use to support the grid both seasonally and year-round

Demand Response Opportunities in the NEM

As the global and local leader in Demand Response, Enel X has unmatched access to energy market programs - unlocking more value for your flexible demand in the National Electricity Market (NEM) across NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and TAS. A range of programs are designed to support the grid or local regions in different, complementary ways. You can generate revenue to offset energy costs, whilst supporting grid reliability in peak times. This puts downward pressure on energy prices and supports the energy transition. We advise you on the programs that best match your goals and flexible demand capability.

Demand Response Programs

  1. Emergency Demand Response
  2. Wholesale Market
  3. Grid Frequency

Emergency Demand Response

Emergency Demand Response programs are critical for maintaining grid stability during extreme events like generator outages, severe weather, or transmission line failures. AEMO can activate these programs to prevent blackouts and ensure system reliability.

 

Some programs operate year-round to support the grid and the energy transition, while others are activated on short notice to address forecast supply shortfalls or emergency situations.

Seasonal and short notice programs

Reliability and Emergency Reserves Trader (RERT)
RERT provides AEMO with last-resort capacity reserves to help maintain grid reliability. It's open to organisations that can respond on short notice when a grid emergency occurs. Participants are paid for availability, pre-activation, and usage.

 

Interim Reliability Reserves (IRR)
IRR is similar to RERT but involves a fixed commitment to always be available, with clear performance and testing requirements.

 

Participation
Enel X will invite eligible VPP participants to join RERT or IRR when the programs are open - usually for short periods over summer to support the community and keep the lights on. These programs can't be combined with the Wholesale Demand Response Mechanism, but offer pre-agreed payments triggered by specific conditions.  

Year-round Firming Capacity program NSW

The NSW Firming Capacity program supports your organisation’s sustainability goals while contributing to grid stability and the renewable energy transition. In return, participants receive both standby payments and additional payments for curtailing energy during grid emergencies, without needing to change energy retailers.

  • Earn regular payments per MW of standby capacity provided, 365 days per year
  • Earn additional payments per MW for energy curtailed in a grid emergency
  • Exclusively accessible via the Enel X Virtual Power Plant (VPP)
  • Gives access to the Wholesale Demand Response Mechanism (WDRM) for additional market value
  • Suitable for a wide range of flexible assets: industrial loads, thermal storage, batteries, solar, and backup generation

Wholesale Demand Response Mechanism (WDRM)

Full Market Access for Ongoing Earnings


Enel X bids your flexible demand into the energy market through the Wholesale Demand Response Mechanism (WDRM), just like a generator. By reducing or shifting usage during peak periods, you earn a share of high market prices, without changing your energy retailer. This helps stabilise the grid and puts downward pressure on prices, while generating ongoing value for your business.

 

Enel X was the first aggregator to participate in the WDRM.

Small Resource Aggregator (SRA)

The Small Resource Aggregator (SRA) demand response program is a legacy program created prior to the WDRM. It is best suited to providing demand response quickly by switching on back-up generators or batteries, or via sites that can curtail energy consumption quickly. 

Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS)

AEMO works to continuously maintain the grid's frequency close to 50Hz by balancing supply and demand at all times. When supply and demand fall out of balance, the grid risks system instability or blackouts.

 

The Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS) markets provide a rapid-response mechanism. Through the Enel X VPP, your site can automatically reduce or shift energy use within seconds to help restore grid stability. Events are brief, typically lasting from a few seconds to around 30 minutes, depending on the market.

 

Enel X was the first aggregator to participate in the FCAS market.

Sustainability Benefits

Demand Response plays a vital role in Australia’s clean energy transition by helping maintain grid reliability as the country phases out ageing coal-fired power stations. By shifting or reducing electricity use during peak periods, it lowers dependence on costly, high-emission peaking plants. As renewable generation from wind and solar continues to grow, flexible demand becomes essential for balancing supply and demand. This approach enables smoother integration of clean energy, reduces the need for fossil-fuel infrastructure, and helps cut overall emissions.

Enel X makes Demand Response easy

We simplify participation in Demand Response programs so businesses can get paid for supporting the grid, without disrupting operations. Our technology, expertise and market access make it easy to unlock new revenue from multiple programs, while contributing to a cleaner, more reliable energy future.

Tailored Flexibility

We help you identify equipment assets and processes that support the grid with no impact to your operations. You can opt out anytime.

Optimise Earnings

We maximise value by stacking demand response programs, supported by accurate forecasting and a platform that provides real-time insights.

24-7 Support

Enel X provides full support from implementation and engineering to customer service, with reports that track performance and earnings.