Furthermore, this single provision, it would be unreasonable to charge for solar PV production which uses precisely the same powerline for supplying energy into the grid. This would be interpreted as yet a third charge for exactly the same infrastructure. 3. Prosumers must be recognized as a new class of participants in the energy market In the draft strategy, consumers feature strongly (70 mentions). Energy businesses (producers) are not quite as prominent (18 mentions). Despite this difference, it is quite clear the draft strategy divides participants in the energy market into these two distinct groups. Solar PV and other small scale producers do not fit neatly into this duopoly. Nor, on closer examination, do energy businesses. For instance, hydro-electric power stations cannot operate without computerized and electrically controlled water-flow regulators; so they consume electricity. Thus, even traditional energy businesses are prosumers, albeit with differences of scale to domestic solar PV installations. When modelling the economics of energy production and distribution, there are considerable efficiencies in using the same infrastructure for gathering power from the grid and exporting power using the exact same equipment. These efficiencies should result in lower distribution and transmission costs for local Tasmanians. These lower costs should be shared with all participants in the energy market: consumers, energy businesses and prosumers.
Furthermore, this single provision, it would be unreasonable to charge for solar PV production which uses precisely the same powerline for supplying energy into the grid. This would be interpreted as yet a third charge for exactly the same infrastructure. 3. Prosumers must be recognized as a new class of participants in the energy market In the draft strategy, consumers feature strongly (70 mentions). Energy businesses (producers) are not quite as prominent (18 mentions). Despite this difference, it is quite clear the draft strategy divides participants in the energy market into these two distinct groups. Solar PV and other small scale producers do not fit neatly into this duopoly. Nor, on closer examination, do energy businesses. For instance, hydro-electric power stations cannot operate without computerized and electrically controlled water-flow regulators; so they consume electricity. Thus, even traditional energy businesses are prosumers, albeit with differences of scale to domestic solar PV installations. When modelling the economics of energy production and distribution, there are considerable efficiencies in using the same infrastructure for gathering power from the grid and exporting power using the exact same equipment. These efficiencies should result in lower distribution and transmission costs for local Tasmanians. These lower costs should be shared with all participants in the energy market: consumers, energy businesses and prosumers.
Dr._Andrew_E._Fluck_Submission.DOCX