Indicative Facility Class and indicative Facility Technology Types
This page provides a brief explanation on indicative Facility Class (IFC) and indicative Facility Technology Type (IFTT) applications under the Reserve Capacity Mechanism (RCM). The IFC and IFTT applications are relevant to new capacity intending to participate in the RCM, and are a pre-requisite to submitting a Certified Reserve Capacity (CRC) application.
Every registered Facility is assigned a Facility Class and at least one Facility Technology Type, which describes the Facility:
- Facility Class: Describes how controllable the Facility is and how it can respond to AEMO’s Dispatch Instructions (e.g. whether it can follow specific targets or limits for Injection or Withdrawal of electricity capacity into and from the grid, respectively).
- Facility Technology Type: Describes the technology the Facility uses (e.g. whether it generates electricity from controllable/renewable sources, or stores energy for later use).
All Facilities must have an IFC and IFTT assigned in Year 1 of the Reserve Capacity Cycle. AEMO will use the assigned IFC and IFTT to assess the Certified Reserve Capacity (CRC) applications using the appropriate certification methodology. Failure to obtain IFC and IFTT assignment (due to incomplete or inaccurate details provided or failure to meet deadlines) means proponents cannot apply for CRC, and AEMO will not assign CRC.
Proponents may either submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) or apply for a direct IFC assessment for their relevant Facilities by the deadlines specified in the Electricity System and Market (ESM) Rules. For more details, please refer to IFC and IFTT Applications.
AEMO will then undertake IFC and IFTT assessments in accordance with the submitted application. For more information, please refer to IFC and IFTT Assessment.
The final Facility Class and Facility Technology Type are confirmed later in Year 3 (before the Obligation date) as part of the Facility registration process.
The tables below outline all Facility Classes and Facility Technology Types available in the RCM:
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Facility Class
Facility Class Description Examples Scheduled Facility (SF) A Facility that is:
• fully controllable, such that it can respond to a Dispatch Target from AEMO such that it can maintain its Injection or Withdrawal within its Tolerance Range for a specified period
• registered as such in accordance with clauses 2.29.4G and 2.29.4I• Coal generators
• Gas generators
• Diesel generators
• Stand-alone batteries
Semi-Scheduled Facility (SSF) A Facility that is:
• partially controllable, such that it can reduce the value of its injection or increase the value of its Withdrawal to comply with a Dispatch Cap issued by AEMO
• registered as such in accordance with clauses 2.29.4G and 2.29.4I• Wind or solar farms with System Size greater than 10 MW
• Hybrid Facilities (e.g. a solar farm and an ESR behind the same connection)Non-Scheduled Facility (NSF) A small-scaled Facility that:
• comprises an Energy Producing System with a System Size less than 10 MW
• is not required to comply with Dispatch Targets or Dispatch Caps but must respond to Directions during system emergencies
• is registered as such in accordance with clause 2.29.4G• Small solar farms
• Small wind farms
• Small aggregation of community batteriesDemand Side Programme (DSP) A Facility that may or may not contain an Energy Producing System and is associated with one or more Non-Dispatchable Loads, which can reduce their Withdrawal or increase their Injection • Aggregated DER
• Industrial loads that can curtail
• Small diesel generator with associated loadsChoosing between NSF and DSP?
A DSP is now allowed to inject into the grid from the 2025 Reserve Capacity Cycle. The document below highlights the key differences and obligations for an NSF and DSP, to assist applicants select the most appropriate Facility Class and understand the distinctions between the two Facility Classes.
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Facility Technology Type
Technology Type Description Examples Non-Intermittent Generating System (NIGS) A generating system which is not an Intermittent Generating System, including, without limitation, thermal generators fuelled by coal, natural gas, or distillate • Coal-powered generation
• Gas-powered generation
• Distillate-powered generation
• Dual-fuelled thermal generation
• Other forms of thermal generationIntermittent Generating System (IGS) A generating system whose output is not reasonably controlled by AEMO, and whose output is dependent on a fuel resource that cannot be directly stored or stockpiled and whose availability is difficult to predict • Solar photovoltaics
• Wind turbinesElectric Storage Resource (ESR) A system or resource capable of receiving and storing energy for later production of electric energy • Electric storage systems
• Pumped hydroelectric storageLoad A DSP with one or more non-Dispatchable Load(s), which can reduce their Withdrawal or increase their Injection • Demand side programme Please refer to Certification of Reserve Capacity for more details on the assessment methodology for each Facility Technology Type.