ASBEC has released their Platform on Distributed Generation, calling on federal, state and local governments to work together to maintain the Renewable Energy Target and appoint a Commissioner to support the rollout of distributed generation in Australia.

Distributed generation includes solar photovoltaic, cogeneration, trigeneration and district energy systems.

Reforms to energy market regulations and other policies are essential to unlock the potential of distributed generation and ensure that benefits are delivered to consumers.

If they are rolled out in an effective way, a diverse mix of distributed generation technologies would protect homes and businesses from rising fuel costs by either avoiding the use of fuel or using it more efficiently and reduce energy bills by reducing the need to augment the grid to cope with rising peak demand.

In summary, the ASBEC policy recommendations are:

• Maintain the Renewable Energy Target.
• Appoint a Commissioner to support the rollout of distributed generation.
• Simplify the process for connecting distributed generation to the grid.
• Commence a long-term process to deliver fair returns from distributed generation installations, including both energy and network values.
• Immediately start interim measures to deliver fairer returns from distributed generation installations.
• Deliver targeted financial support for innovative applications of distributed generation.

Read full Platform on Distributed Generation here.

Read ASBEC’s Media Release here.