WA Embedded Network and AES Glossary
Definitions for the key electricity metering, embedded-network and Alternative Electricity Services terms used in Western Australia.
Key terms
- AES
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Alternative Electricity Services: the WA regulatory framework used to prescribe and regulate electricity services outside the standard licensed retailer model.
- SPN
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Single Property Network: a private electricity network serving multiple lots or tenancies within one property, commonly described as an embedded network.
- OPS
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On-site Power Supply: an arrangement where a customer receives electricity from generation or storage equipment located on the customer’s property under a service arrangement.
- Master meter
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The meter at the principal grid connection that records electricity supplied to the whole property.
- Submeter
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A private meter used to measure a tenancy, lot, common area, plant item or other circuit within the property.
- Direct-connected meter
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A meter through which the measured current passes directly, subject to its rated capacity and installation requirements.
- CT meter
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A meter that receives scaled current signals from current transformers and must be configured with the correct ratio.
- Interval data
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Electricity values recorded for defined time intervals, allowing load profiles and time-based analysis rather than only cumulative readings.
- Gateway
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A communications device that connects local meters or controllers to another network or remote service.
- Data logger
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A device or service that collects, timestamps, stores and transfers meter or equipment data.
- Reconciliation
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Comparison of master-meter consumption with submeters and identified common or unmetered loads to explain energy flows and differences.
- Small-use customer
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For Ombudsman membership purposes, the official guidance describes a customer consuming no more than 160 MWh of electricity per year.
- ERA
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Economic Regulation Authority: the WA regulator that will register AES providers and administer compliance and enforcement.
- Energy and Water Ombudsman WA
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The independent dispute-resolution scheme that registered AES providers supplying small-use customers will be required to join.
How to use this glossary
These definitions are written for property owners, strata managers, facility managers and contractors. They are concise explanations, not substitutes for legislation, the relevant AES Code, technical standards or advice about a particular arrangement.
Official sources: Energy Policy WA — Alternative Electricity Services framework and Energy and Water Ombudsman WA — Alternative Electricity Services.
Frequently asked questions
Is an embedded network the same as an SPN?
In the initial WA AES framework, a single property network is the regulated service category covering a type of embedded network within one property.
Is a meter gateway the billing system?
No. A gateway transports data. A billing system applies customer, tariff, period and account rules to validated readings.
Why do terms need to be defined for each project?
Different parties may use the same word for different technical or contractual roles. A project glossary prevents responsibility and data misunderstandings.