FCAS Archives - Renew Economy

Markets

Frequency penalties are costing some solar farms millions, but this is the market working
Data shows solar farms and big batteries are the biggest loser and winner following changes to who gets paid or penalised for grid instability.
Rachel Williamson

Jun 18, 2026

2
Policy & Planning

Electricity market “step change” will pay fast, flexible technologies to smooth bumpy grid
A new rule will reward electricity market participants that offer “fast and flexible” services to stabilise grid frequency, in a fresh approach to balancing an increasingly volatile grid.
Rachel Williamson

Jun 13, 2025

1
Battery

Household batteries are now being marshalled to deliver very fast response to grid security issues
Although distributed energy resources are expected to be able to play in the new very fast frequency control market, it wasn’t easy hooking them in.
Rachel Williamson

Jul 4, 2024

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Smart Energy

“Landmark alliance:” Origin, Coles strike solar and battery deal to cut emissions, balance grid
Origin to supply 20MW of solar plus batteries to Coles retail outlets, and tap into its fridges to help balance the grid.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 3, 2023

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Batteries and renewables can replace coal and gas for reliable and cheap power, experts say
Business model underpinning coal and gas is collapsing, and the good news is that batteries and renewable energy can step in and keep the grid secure.
Michael Mazengarb

Mar 29, 2021

0
Renewables

Rule changes, reform needed to address poor network frequency control
Having the power system frequency poorly controlled is like driving a car on a rough road.
Bruce Miller

Jun 24, 2019

0
Commentary

ARENA offers $7m for more solar and wind farm FCAS trials
ARENA provides $7m to encourage more wind, solar and battery parks to provide grid services such as frequency and voltage.
Giles Parkinson

May 16, 2018

16
Markets

Why managing Australia’s grid is like driving a car with loose steering wheel
The East Coast power system of Australia has the worst frequency regulation in the developed world, putting it at risk whenever an event occurs which requires its fossil fuel generators to respond quickly. Because they can’t.
Bruce Miller

Mar 22, 2018

11
Markets

Tasmania tapped for second trial of wind farm’s ability to stabilise grid
A second ARENA-backed trial of wind farms’ ability to provide frequency control ancillary services to be conducted in Tasmania.
Sophie Vorrath

Mar 8, 2018

16
Storage

Tesla spells out why markets are failing battery storage, big and small
Tesla urges energy market rule maker to catch up with speed and versatility of battery storage, both big and small.
Giles Parkinson

Feb 14, 2018

9
Storage

What is the Tesla big battery actually selling? It’s not just energy
Tesla big battery is starting to play more in the energy markets, but it has also been active in the less visible “services” market. Smarter, quicker, cheaper and cleaner than gas.
Giles Parkinson

Dec 13, 2017

15
Markets

AEMO set to trial wind farm’s ability to stabilise S.A. grid
ARENA, AEMO trial testing 100MW Hornsdale 2 wind farm capability to supply grid stabilising services to NEM slated for October.
Sophie Vorrath

Aug 10, 2017

2