The Distributed System Network Operator (DSNO)

There would seem to be a case for defining the concept of a new entity.  The reason for the concept of a DSNO is so that a new entity would be responsible for the implementation and management of an “energy town” prototype, should such a town be selected.

The new entity would the Distribution System Network Operator (DSNO) for the town and the associated rural distribution network.  The legal structure of the new entity would need to be defined, complete with reporting and governance requirements.

The structure of the DSNO may be either as a separate unit within the utility which provides electrical services to the town, or it may be a completely new entity from within the local government structure e.g. town or shire region.

The DSNO needs to be legally structured such that it may be responsible for the financial aspects of the “energy town” prototype.  It would need to collect revenue, determine energy costs, determine in-feed rates and have the ability to take loans from financial institutions.

Operationally, the DSNO would report to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).  The DSNO is to be responsible for compliance with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) regulations, utility regulations and reporting requirements.

Individuals or companies would connect to the DSNO network for energy services.  The connection would be at a hardware level for the energy and at a software level for the control and communication.

The individuals or companies which connect for energy services would become account holders with the DSNO.  The energy services may comprise either electrical power or heat.

The connections may be either as in-feed units such as generators, or as demand units (load) or as a combination of both.

The billing and in-feed price rates for each account holder are to be determined by the DSNO, based on net energy costs.  The rates are to be capacity and time dependent in order to encourage energy efficiency.

The DSNO may at its discretion, connect its own generation and load units.

The DSNO is to be responsible for the point of common coupling (PCC) to the utility.  The DSNO is to be responsible for the billing to and from the utility for power import / export.

BESST Engineering is able to provide electrical power and control systems design, as required to implement the DSNO concept.