Business Energy Brokers Australia Wide
Electricity - Natural Gas - LPG
“Our knowledge and experience is unparalleled”
Expert energy contract procurement specialists for businesses
We recognise that each business has unique energy needs. Our team tailors procurement strategies to fit your specific requirements, whether you are a small enterprise or a large corporation. Our flexibility ensures that you receive a solution that aligns seamlessly with your goals.
Comprehensive energy solutions tailored for your business.
Cost Optimisation
Our primary goal is to help you secure the best energy rates available in the market. Through strategic negotiations and a deep understanding of the energy landscape, we work to minimise your energy expenses, allowing you to allocate resources more efficiently.
Sustainability Focus
As sustainability becomes increasingly important, we assist you in adopting environmentally friendly energy solutions. From renewable energy procurement to energy efficiency initiatives, we help you contribute to a greener future while meeting your operational needs.
Network Tariff Optimisation
A strategic approach to managing and minimising electricity costs associated with the consumption of energy from the electrical grid. This process involves analysing the various tariffs offered by distribution companies and selecting the most cost-effective options based on the specific needs and usage patterns of your business.
Market Expertise
With our finger on the pulse of the energy market, we provide insightful analysis and real-time updates. This empowers you to make informed decisions, capitalise on favorable market conditions, and navigate potential challenges effectively.
Risk Management
Energy markets can be volatile. Niche Corporate Solutions helps you navigate this volatility by implementing risk management strategies. We identify potential risks, develop mitigation plans, and guide you through market fluctuations, providing stability in an ever-changing environment.
Seamless Process
Our streamlined procurement process simplifies the complexities of energy sourcing. From initial consultation to contract negotiation and ongoing support, we ensure a hassle-free experience, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.
Multisite Specialists
Multisite energy procurement involves the strategic sourcing of energy for multiple locations or facilities within an organisation. This approach is particularly relevant for businesses with a decentralized structure, multiple offices, manufacturing plants, or retail outlets. Implementing a multisite energy procurement strategy can help streamline operations, optimize costs, and ensure consistency in energy management across various locations.
Customer Support
Our dedicated team is committed to providing exceptional customer support. Whether you have questions about your energy contract, need assistance with billing inquiries, or require advice on energy efficiency measures, we are here to help. Partner with us for unparalleled expertise, personalised service, and a commitment to helping your business thrive in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
Energy Data Analysis
Energy data analysis involves examining and interpreting data related to energy consumption, production, and efficiency. The goal is to gain insights into energy usage patterns, identify opportunities for improvement, and make informed decisions to optimise energy performance.
We work with all the major energy providers to ensure you get the best prices when we tender your electricity and gas contracts
Servicing all industries, we have a energy procurement solution ready for your business with decades worth of experience in the Australian Energy Markets
Primary Industries, Manufacturing, Construction, Infrastructure, Technologies, Healthcare, Financial Services, Retail Shopping Centres, Consumer Goods, Tourism, Hospitality, Education, Professional Services
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Industry Knowledge Centre
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An energy broker is a professional or a company that assists businesses or individuals in procuring, managing, and optimizing their energy needs. There are several reasons why individuals or organizations may choose to use an energy broker:
Cost Savings: Energy brokers can help businesses find the best energy deals by negotiating with multiple energy suppliers. They have industry knowledge and contacts that allow them to secure competitive rates, potentially leading to cost savings for their clients.
Market Knowledge: Energy markets can be complex, with fluctuating prices and various factors influencing them. Energy brokers stay informed about market trends, regulatory changes, and pricing structures, providing clients with valuable insights to make informed decisions.
Time Savings: Researching and negotiating energy contracts can be time-consuming. Energy brokers handle the administrative tasks, negotiations, and paperwork on behalf of their clients, allowing them to focus on their core business activities.
Risk Management: Energy brokers can help clients manage and mitigate risks associated with energy procurement. They may provide strategies to protect against price volatility, ensuring a stable and predictable energy budget.
Access to a Wide Network of Suppliers: Brokers often have relationships with multiple energy suppliers. This allows them to compare offers from different providers and recommend the best options based on their clients' specific needs and preferences.
Customized Solutions: Energy brokers work closely with clients to understand their energy consumption patterns, business goals, and budget constraints. With this information, they can tailor energy solutions that align with the client's unique requirements.
Monitoring and Reporting: Some energy brokers offer ongoing monitoring services to track energy usage and expenses. Regular reports and analysis help clients optimize their energy consumption and identify opportunities for further cost savings.
Compliance and Regulatory Assistance: Energy regulations and compliance requirements can vary, and businesses need to stay abreast of these changes. Energy brokers can assist clients in navigating complex regulatory environments, ensuring they meet all compliance standards.
Green Energy Options: For businesses with a focus on sustainability, energy brokers can assist in finding and procuring renewable energy sources, helping clients achieve their environmental goals.
Negotiation Skills: Energy brokers are skilled negotiators who can leverage their industry knowledge and relationships to secure favorable terms and conditions in energy contracts.
While using an energy broker can offer various advantages, it's important for individuals and businesses to carefully evaluate potential brokers, considering their reputation, expertise, and transparency in order to find the best fit for their needs.
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Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) offers electricity futures contracts as part of its suite of financial products. Electricity futures are financial instruments that allow market participants to buy or sell electricity at a predetermined price for a future date. These contracts provide a means for hedging against price volatility or speculating on future price movements in the electricity market.
Key features of ASX electricity futures may include:
Contract Specifications: ASX electricity futures contracts have specific terms and conditions, including the contract size, expiration date, and the method of settlement. Contract specifications can vary based on the specific electricity product being traded.
Market Participants: Various entities participate in the ASX electricity futures market, including electricity generators, retailers, financial institutions, and other market participants seeking to manage their exposure to electricity price fluctuations.
Hedging: Electricity futures provide a tool for market participants to hedge against the risk of price fluctuations in the electricity market. For example, a utility company may use futures contracts to lock in prices for future electricity purchases or sales.
Speculation: Traders and investors who have a view on the future direction of electricity prices can use futures contracts for speculative purposes. By taking positions in the futures market, they can potentially profit from anticipated price movements.
Market Liquidity: The liquidity of the ASX electricity futures market is influenced by factors such as market demand, the number of active participants, and overall market conditions. Higher liquidity generally allows for easier entry and exit from positions.
Risk Management: ASX electricity futures provide a mechanism for managing risk associated with electricity price volatility. This is particularly important for businesses that are sensitive to changes in electricity costs.
Regulation: The ASX operates within the regulatory framework set by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The exchange establishes rules and regulations to ensure fair and orderly trading in the futures market.
To obtain the most current and detailed information on ASX electricity futures, including contract specifications, trading hours, and market updates, it is recommended to visit the official ASX website or contact the ASX directly. Market conditions and product offerings can change, so staying informed is crucial for participants in the financial markets.
Key features of the National Electricity Market include:
Geographic Scope: The NEM covers the eastern and southeastern states of Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. It is interconnected through a network of high-voltage transmission lines.
Market Structure: The NEM operates as a wholesale market, where electricity is bought and sold between market participants. These participants include generators, retailers, and large industrial consumers.
Market Operator: The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is responsible for the overall management and operation of the NEM. AEMO ensures the reliability and security of the electricity supply, administers the market rules, and facilitates the trading of electricity.
Spot Market: The NEM operates on a spot market basis, where electricity is traded for delivery in half-hourly intervals. The spot market is designed to balance electricity supply and demand in real-time.
Bilateral Contracts: Market participants can enter into bilateral contracts for the sale and purchase of electricity outside the spot market. These contracts provide participants with more certainty in terms of pricing and supply.
Market Clearing Price: The market clearing price is the price at which the total electricity demand is met by the lowest-cost generators. All generators receive this market clearing price for the electricity they produce, regardless of their individual bid prices.
Renewable Energy Integration: The NEM has seen a significant increase in the integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. The growing share of renewables has led to changes in the dynamics of the market and has implications for grid management.
Network Constraints: Transmission constraints can affect the efficient flow of electricity within the NEM. AEMO manages these constraints and takes measures to ensure the reliability and stability of the grid.
Market Rules and Regulations: The NEM operates under a set of market rules and regulations that are designed to promote competition, ensure market integrity, and maintain system reliability. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is responsible for developing and maintaining these rules.
The NEM plays a crucial role in the Australian electricity sector by providing a platform for efficient electricity trading, fostering competition, and ensuring the reliable supply of electricity to consumers across the interconnected regions.
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The National Electricity Market (NEM) is a wholesale electricity market that operates in the eastern and southeastern parts of Australia. It's the largest interconnected electricity market in the country and one of the largest in the world. The NEM is a complex system designed to facilitate the buying and selling of electricity between generators, retailers, and major energy users.
Key features of the National Electricity Market include:
Geographic Scope: The NEM covers the eastern and southeastern states of Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. It is interconnected through a network of high-voltage transmission lines.
Market Structure: The NEM operates as a wholesale market, where electricity is bought and sold between market participants. These participants include generators, retailers, and large industrial consumers.
Market Operator: The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is responsible for the overall management and operation of the NEM. AEMO ensures the reliability and security of the electricity supply, administers the market rules, and facilitates the trading of electricity.
Spot Market: The NEM operates on a spot market basis, where electricity is traded for delivery in half-hourly intervals. The spot market is designed to balance electricity supply and demand in real-time.
Bilateral Contracts: Market participants can enter into bilateral contracts for the sale and purchase of electricity outside the spot market. These contracts provide participants with more certainty in terms of pricing and supply.
Market Clearing Price: The market clearing price is the price at which the total electricity demand is met by the lowest-cost generators. All generators receive this market clearing price for the electricity they produce, regardless of their individual bid prices.
Renewable Energy Integration: The NEM has seen a significant increase in the integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. The growing share of renewables has led to changes in the dynamics of the market and has implications for grid management.
Network Constraints: Transmission constraints can affect the efficient flow of electricity within the NEM. AEMO manages these constraints and takes measures to ensure the reliability and stability of the grid.
Market Rules and Regulations: The NEM operates under a set of market rules and regulations that are designed to promote competition, ensure market integrity, and maintain system reliability. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) is responsible for developing and maintaining these rules.
The NEM plays a crucial role in the Australian electricity sector by providing a platform for efficient electricity trading, fostering competition, and ensuring the reliable supply of electricity to consumers across the interconnected regions.
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The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) plays a crucial role in managing and operating various energy markets in Australia. AEMO is an independent organization responsible for ensuring the secure, reliable, and efficient operation of the national electricity and gas systems. Here are key roles and responsibilities of AEMO:
Market Operator:
AEMO operates the wholesale electricity and gas markets in Australia, facilitating the buying and selling of electricity and gas among market participants. This includes managing the scheduling and dispatch of electricity generators to meet demand in real-time.
System Operator:
AEMO is responsible for maintaining the overall reliability and security of the national electricity grid. This involves monitoring the system in real-time, managing network constraints, and taking corrective actions to prevent or address issues that could lead to power outages or disruptions.
Market Development and Design:
AEMO plays a role in developing and refining market rules and frameworks. This includes proposing changes to market design and rules to enhance market efficiency, competition, and reliability.
Forecasting and Planning:
AEMO provides long-term forecasts and planning assessments for electricity and gas demand, generation capacity, and infrastructure requirements. These forecasts assist industry stakeholders, policymakers, and investors in making informed decisions about the future energy landscape.
Connection and Access:
AEMO oversees the process of connecting new generators to the electricity grid. It manages access arrangements, ensuring fair and transparent access to the grid for market participants. This includes coordinating the connection of renewable energy projects.
Emergency Management:
AEMO is involved in managing emergency situations within the energy sector. This includes developing and implementing emergency response plans to address contingencies and restore system stability in the event of significant disruptions.
Information Provision:
AEMO provides market participants, regulators, and the public with information related to the operation of the energy markets. This includes data on market prices, generation outputs, and system conditions.
Facilitation of Renewable Energy Integration:
AEMO plays a key role in facilitating the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid. This involves managing the variability and uncertainty associated with renewable generation and ensuring the stability of the grid.
Compliance and Enforcement:
AEMO monitors market participants to ensure compliance with market rules and regulations. It has the authority to enforce penalties and take corrective actions when necessary to maintain market integrity.
Stakeholder Engagement:
AEMO engages with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry participants, government bodies, and consumer representatives. Collaboration with stakeholders is essential to address challenges, implement changes, and ensure the smooth functioning of the energy markets.
AEMO's role is crucial in maintaining the balance between supply and demand, fostering competition, and supporting the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system in Australia.
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Commercial and industrial energy contracts are agreements between businesses (commercial and industrial consumers) and energy suppliers or retailers. These contracts are tailored to the specific energy needs and usage patterns of larger consumers, distinguishing them from residential energy contracts. Here are some key features and considerations for commercial and industrial energy contracts:
Negotiation and Customization:
Unlike residential contracts, commercial and industrial customers often have the opportunity to negotiate the terms of their energy contracts. These agreements can be customized to suit the unique energy requirements of the business.
Contract Duration:
Commercial and industrial energy contracts may have varying durations, ranging from short-term agreements to long-term contracts. Longer-term contracts can provide stability in pricing and supply, while shorter-term contracts may allow for more flexibility.
Volume Discounts:
Larger energy consumers often benefit from volume discounts. The more electricity or gas a business consumes, the more negotiating power it may have to secure favorable pricing per unit.
Demand Charges:
Industrial and commercial customers may face demand charges in addition to consumption charges. Demand charges are based on the highest level of energy consumption during specific intervals, encouraging businesses to manage and reduce peak demand.
Fixed vs. Variable Pricing:
Businesses can choose between fixed and variable pricing structures. Fixed pricing offers stability by setting a consistent rate for the duration of the contract, while variable pricing may fluctuate based on market conditions.
Renewable Energy Options:
Many commercial and industrial customers are increasingly interested in incorporating renewable energy into their energy portfolios. Contracts may offer options for procuring renewable energy, either through direct purchase or through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Energy Efficiency Measures:
Some contracts may include provisions or incentives for energy efficiency initiatives. Businesses that invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices may receive benefits or discounts from their energy suppliers.
Billing Structure:
The billing structure for commercial and industrial energy contracts can be more complex than residential contracts. It may include various components, such as energy consumption charges, demand charges, capacity charges, and other fees.
Risk Management:
Businesses may use energy contracts as a tool for risk management. For example, they may employ financial instruments to hedge against the volatility of energy prices in the market.
Termination and Renewal Terms:
Contract termination and renewal terms are essential considerations. Understanding the conditions under which a contract can be terminated or renewed helps businesses plan for changes in their energy needs or market conditions.
Regulatory Compliance:
Businesses must comply with regulatory requirements related to energy consumption, environmental standards, and reporting. Contracts may include provisions to ensure compliance with these regulations.
Contract Review and Consultation:
It's advisable for businesses to review energy contracts regularly and seek professional advice. Energy consultants or brokers can assist in navigating the complexities of energy markets and optimizing contract terms.
Commercial and industrial energy contracts require careful consideration and negotiation to align with the specific needs and goals of businesses in the dynamic energy landscape. Consulting with energy professionals can be beneficial in optimizing these contracts for cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regularly monitors and reports on the netback prices for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Australia. The ACCC's role in this context is to promote competition and transparency in the natural gas market, ensuring that consumers and businesses benefit from fair and efficient pricing.
The term "netback price" refers to the price at which LNG could be sold in export markets, minus the costs associated with liquefaction, transport, and other expenses. It is essentially the price received at the point of export.
Here are some key points related to the ACCC and LNG netback prices:
Monitoring and Reporting:
The ACCC monitors LNG netback prices to assess the competitiveness of the Australian natural gas market. It regularly publishes reports that provide information on LNG netback prices, production costs, and other relevant market dynamics.
Domestic Gas Prices:
The ACCC's focus on LNG netback prices is closely tied to the domestic gas market. Monitoring these prices helps assess the connection between domestic gas prices and international LNG markets, providing insights into pricing dynamics.
Market Inquiry Reports:
The ACCC conducts market inquiries into the supply and pricing of gas in Australia. These inquiries involve comprehensive assessments of the gas market, including considerations of LNG netback prices. The ACCC releases reports based on these inquiries.
Transparency and Competition:
The ACCC aims to enhance transparency in the gas market by providing information on LNG netback prices. This information is valuable for gas users, market participants, and policymakers in making informed decisions and promoting healthy competition.
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Source AEMO 30.01.2024 “The Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) is a function conferred on AEMO to maintain power system reliability and system security using reserve contracts.
Short and Medium Notice RERT Panel and Long Notice RERT
AEMO maintains a panel of RERT providers that can provide short notice (between three hours and seven days) and medium notice (between ten weeks and seven days) reserve if required and for whom technical details are pre-agreed. Panel members for short notice RERT agree on prices when appointed to the panel, whereas panel members for medium notice RERT do not, and prices are negotiated if and when reserve is required. The RERT panel allows AEMO to run an expedited tender process in short and medium notice situations, as the tendering process is pre-agreed and makes use of pre-determined agreements and standard tender forms. If Unserved Energy (USE) is forecast via the ESOO, AEMO may procure long notice reserve through invitations to tender where it has 10 weeks or more notice of projected shortfall.
What reserve is acceptable for RERT
Typical examples of reserve that can be procured for RERT include: Unscheduled load that can be curtailed and restored on request from AEMO, this can be large industrial load or a group of aggregated smaller loads
Unscheduled generation assets (such as standby diesels).
To be eligible, reserves provided under a reserve contract must not be available to the National Electricity Market through any other contract or arrangement in the trading intervals which the reserve is required.
In addition there are a number of criteria that AEMO will use to assess the reserve, these include:
What is the availability of the reserve over the summer period
Whether the reserve can be activated as a block of not less than 10MW
Whether the reserve can be activated continuously for at least 30 minutes
The potential reserve does not submit bids and offers into the National Electricity Market.
Further detail on the reserve requirement is available in the expression of interest documents. AEMO is able to negotiate on many aspects of the RERT requirements and interested parties are encouraged to contact AEMO if they have any questions.
What triggers RERT
AEMO continuously assesses whether forecast reliability and security is outside a relevant NEM standard. If it observes this and it considers there is no market resolution to it, then AEMO may choose to procure reserve. The trigger for the activation of reserve depends upon the lead time required to activate the reserve and the nature of the reserve shortfall. “