Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Useful links
The Australian Energy Market Operator manages our National Energy Market. Learn More
The National Energy Market is an exchange between electricity supply and demand. Here’s what that looks like. Learn more
The AER regulates wholesale and retail energy markets, and energy networks, under national energy legislation and rules. Learn More
Top 3 questions
‘The wholesale market’ or National Electricity Market (NEM) is a wholesale electricity exchange for the states and territories of Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The NEM began operation with New South Wales and Victoria in December 1998 .
The NEM is a spot market where supply and demand are matched in real time under the observation of an industry authority. Generators supply the market with electricity at regular intervals; retailers and wholesalers respond by submitting offers every five minutes, every day. Based on demand and cost-efficiency, The Australian Electricity Market Operator (AEMO) determines the volume of generators required to produce electricity. The AEMO then dispatches these generators into production.
A dispatch price is determined every five minutes, and six dispatch prices are averaged every half hour; this determines the spot price across the NEM. AEMO uses the spot price as the basis for the settlement of financial transactions – the price wholesalers or retailers pay – for energy traded in the market
A spot price is the wholesale market clearing price for a specific trading interval. It is based on a bid by generators or traders for the quantity of energy they will supply for a given price.
Since 2009, we’ve been a licensed electricity retailer, however, we aren’t like most electricity retailers. When our founder Matthew van der Linden setup the business, he wanted to give Australian businesses access to transparent flexible power that saved them money.
We achieve this by giving customers access to wholesale power. We help businesses in a wide range of industries across Australia, providing tailored packages and expert help to customers across the national energy market.
The low down on Renewable Corporate PPAs
A corporate renewable PPA is a deal that secures long-term, low-cost energy for an Australian business supporting renewable generation. The business agrees to purchase a portion of a renewable plant’s output for ten years or more at a low fixed cost.
Renewable corporate PPAs already exist internationally and are at the heart of many energy strategies with companies like Google and Amazon recognising the fact that they offer price security.
Flow Power is the first retailer to offer businesses access to this type of arrangement. Our corporate renewable PPAs provide a solution to rising energy prices.
Corporate Renewable PPAs can suit businesses that use more than 1 GWh per year. That could include, a factory, farm or even a printing business.
For businesses that use less power, Flow Power has a range of other solutions to minimise costs.
The first step is to get in touch with Flow Power. We will look at your power use and see how you benefit from this tool.
We’re negotiating PPAs across the National Energy Market (NEM).
Metering changes
Whether you lose power or not will be dependent upon the type of meter you have on site. If an outage is required, it will only be brief and typically last 10-20 minutes maximum. If this is necessary, then Flow Power’s preferred metering provider will coordinate with you to find a time that is suitable.
You would have had to organise and sign your Direct Metering Agreement directly with a metering provider or this may have been provided through a broker.
If you already hold a DMA, Flow Power will not move you off this immediately, however we will do so once the DMA ends.
It is not considered a DMA. Flow Power have the agreement with Power Metric and we pass the benefits on to you.
Flow Power’s preferred metering provider will be in touch to coordinate a day/time that will suit your business.
Your meter charges will be updated to your contracted rate with Flow Power.
Exchanging your meter allows Flow Power to pass on the agreed Routine Meter Charge stipulated in the Electricity Sale Agreement, as well as provide live data access via the kWatch Controller if your site meets the criteria.
You are able to choose your own provider, you will simply have to let us know you have a Direct Metering Agreement in place, or that you plan to put one in place.
kWatch controllers are not mandatory, but they also come at zero cost to you. If you do not want to have a kWatch controller installed, simply let us know, however Flow Power will still arrange for the meter to be exchanged.
Let us get your business connected to smarter, greener energy.
To get your energy contract started or to find out more about your ideal energy solution, contact the Flow Power team or request a callback.
Putting the power back in your hands since 2009
