Incentivising flexibility from transmission-connected loads to increase network utilisation and capacity

Powerlink Queensland is exploring how flexible demand can support transmission network efficiency and defer costly augmentation. Historically, electrical load has been treated as largely uncontrollable: customers pay for a fixed connection size and provide forecasts, and networks are built to meet that demand. Where transmission load flexibility arrangements exist, they are usually highly bespoke or last resort focussed. Recent efforts to shape demand have focussed on distribution level response through time-varying tariffs and controlled load programmes.