AI-powered intelligence vs free public dashboards. OpenNEM (rebranded as Open Electricity at openelectricity.org.au) is a free, open-source dashboard showing real-time NEM and WEM generation, demand and pricing data. It is the go-to resource for historical aggregate market data with strong download and presentation capabilities — but facility-level (generator) data is shallow and not downloadable, there is no alerting, no AI analysis, and no operational tools for commercial energy decisions.
OpenNEM shows you dashboards. gridIQ's Watt AI answers questions like "Should I shift my load to tonight?" grounded in live AEMO data — prices, forecasts, carbon intensity, weather and more.
OpenNEM's aggregate generation views are excellent, but drilling into a specific generator (DUID-level performance, fuel type, MLF, bid behaviour) is shallow and not exportable. gridIQ's generator directory has ~200 indexed DUID profiles with downloadable bid history, MLF, performance index, and fuel-type breakdowns.
OpenNEM requires you to check the dashboard. gridIQ sends price spike alerts, carbon threshold warnings, and pre-dispatch notifications via email, Slack, or webhook — in real time.
gridIQ includes dual-method Scope 2 emissions tracking (location-based and time-matched market-based), load shift recommendations, demand response modelling, and CACE analysis. OpenNEM has none of these.
OpenNEM is a great reference tool for seeing what's happening. gridIQ tells you what it means, what to do about it, and what's likely to happen next — with AI-powered analysis across all six regions.
With Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards coming into effect, commercial buyers need dual-method Scope 2 calculations. gridIQ provides time-matched market-based emissions aligned with the GHG Protocol.
Start free alongside OpenNEM. When your team needs load shifting, interconnector analysis, FCAS data, or generator bid monitoring, upgrade to unlock professional-grade tools.
21-day Pro trial included. No credit card required.
Competitor pricing verified April 2026
gridIQ’s free tier gives you the same live prices and generation mix you see on OpenNEM, plus 5 Watt AI messages per day, market scores, pre-dispatch forecasts and event detection. Keep using OpenNEM for its historical aggregate views. When your team needs alerts, Scope 2, load shifting or PPA evaluation, upgrade to unlock the professional-grade tools.
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