Sunset wind turbine birds
sunset solar roof
batteries
Battery
Electric vehicle
Wind turbines
Australian transmission network
Houses with solar panels

Get help launching your energy business idea

The Energy Innovation Toolkit is a free service offered by the AER in collaboration with the Australian Energy Market Commission, Australian Energy Market Operator, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and the Essential Services Commission. The Toolkit can help you understand energy regulation, explore options to launch your energy business under current frameworks, and get clear guidance. You can now apply for proof-of-concept trials offering relief from specific energy regulations through time-limited waivers and trial rule changes. It's never too early to get free help. We can help you with projects and ideas at any stage.

How we can help

Helping energy innovators power ahead

Access tools and services to help your business launch trials, share knowledge, and enter the market.

Understanding energy regulation
Understand energy regulation

Access interactive energy regulation tools, market explainers, and hypothetical business model use cases, designed to make complex frameworks easy to navigate. 
Case Study
NEW - read real guidance we have provided and explainers of common topics

Learn from case studies developed in partnership with real innovators we've helped, as well as explainers on regulatory issues our users want to understand. 
Questions / Innovation Enquiry Service
Ask your questions

Contact us for feedback on your regulatory questions.
Trials
Read about trials

Find out what kinds of regulatory relief we offer through proof-of-concept trials. 
About this project

Delivered by trusted experts

The Australian Government has created the Energy Innovation Toolkit to better respond to the energy sectors’ evolving needs, to encourage competition resulting in better outcomes for energy consumers, and to allow Australia’s energy frameworks to better adapt to rapid technological change.

The Energy Innovation Toolkit is delivered by the Australian Energy Regulator, in coordination with our Project Partners.

Wind turbines
Get started
See regulations that may apply to your energy project

Use our Regulation Navigator tool to see what licensing, authorisation and registration requirements might apply to your business model, as well as what exemptions may be available.  

Get started

Latest Updates

See more
An illustration of a building and large battery
27 Sep 2023
NEW - Regulatory explainer on battery systems in the NEM

Lower costs and expanding opportunities for battery technology have seen a significant increase in battery investment. The Energy Innovation Toolkit receives many enquiries about batteries and the information in this article provides a basic overview of information that innovators should consider when planning a new energy project that includes a battery system.

Updates
27 Jun 2023
Submissions close on Endeavour Energy trial waiver consultation - 27 June 2023

On 9 May 2023 the AER published a consultation notice seeking views on the Energy Innovation Toolkit's first trial waiver application from Endeavour Energy. Submissions on Endeavour Energy's trial waiver application closed on June 19 2023. In total we received six submissions, one of which was an accepted late submission. Submissions are available to view on Endeavour Energy's trial waiver consultation page. 

Updates
07 Jun 2023
Addendum to Endeavour Energy trial waiver application and extension of consultation period – 09 June 2023 

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has received additional information from Endeavour Energy further to questions posed as part of our consultation process. We have provided this new information as an addendum to the Endeavour Energy trial waiver consultation notice. To accommodate responses, we have decided to extend our consultation process. We welcome submissions from interested parties on Endeavour Energy’s trial waiver application by close of business, 19 June 2023. 

Updates