Generator Efficiency Standards
The objectives of the Generator Efficiency Standards (GES) measure are to achieve movement towards best practice in the efficiency of fossil-fuelled electricity generation, and to deliver reductions in the greenhouse gas intensity of energy supply.
Improving the efficiency of the fossil-fuel combustion process will lead to reductions in the greenhouse intensity of the Australian energy sector. It will have important flow-on effects for the wider Australian business community, in particular with large end-users buying lower greenhouse intensive fossil fuel based power.
Introduced on 1 July 2000, the GES measure applies to all fossil-fuelled power generating plants that meet the following criteria:
- 30 MWe electrical capacity or above
- 50 GWh per annum electrical output
- a capacity factor of 5% or more in each of the last three years.
The GES measure is supported by:
- Program Guidelines: outlining the implementation parameters for the GES measure, released in July 2000
- Technical Guidelines: providing background theory and principles on power plant and cogeneration plant thermal efficiency, and indicative options for reducing greenhouse intensity.
Through Greenhouse Challenge Plus, the Australian Government enters into legally binding Deeds of Agreement with businesses affected by the GES. Participants agree to assess their operations and compare these with best practice bands for their technology classes and fuel types set out in the GES Technical Guidelines. Deeds of Agreement include the undertakings and reporting requirements of Greenhouse Challenge Plus.
More about Greenhouse Challenge Plus
Fossil Fuel Power Stations
- The Fossil Fuel Power Stations Map of Australia provides information about Australian fossil fuel power stations with an installed capacity of 20 megawatts or greater.