A long list of Villains – that have each contributed to our “energy crisis”
A multi-layered energy crisis is upon us. I've identified 10 "root causes" (or "villains") that have each played key roles in the way in which our energy transition...
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The solar component of the Gullen Range Power Station started operation on 14th September
Quick look at how Gullen Range solar has gone, since it started on 14th September.
Here’s two odd examples being used in attempt to justify a claim of why privatisation will lead to higher spot prices
Reading an article in the Courier Mail on Saturday I was struck by the use of two particularly odd examples to support a case for retention of government...
A selected (and evolving) chronology of the QLD Government’s involvement in the QLD Generation sector
Here's a chronological record of key aspects of government involvement in the generation sector within Queensland.
Comparison between Liddell Power Station (in NSW) with Muja A&B Power Station (in WA)
Some quick thoughts about the comparison being made by others between two ageing coal-fired power stations (Liddell power station in NSW and the Muja A&B stations in the...
Is the market, that wasn’t broken, now dead?
Guest author, Andrew Bonwick, posts his thoughts on a range of challenges confronting us in this energy transition.
Using this train analogy to critique some recent developments with Frequency Control Ancillary Services (FCAS)
[PART 2 of] a post by guest author, Bruce Miller – which was initially posted on LinkedIn as one piece, but which has been broken into two on...
Introducing a train analogy to explain Power Systems 101
[PART 1 of] a post by guest author, Bruce Miller - which was initially posted on LinkedIn as one piece, but which has been broken into two on...
September Update: More Regulation on the Retail Side
Following from my August update, here's two developments we have seen in relation to retail & networks regulation.
Initial questions about the LGC market
Our first look at trended LGC production (aggregated by state/territory) and LGC spot prices (monthly average), now possible in NEMreview v7, generates a number of questions...
Why is wind production being curtailed (or “dispatched down”, more strictly speaking)?
It was inevitable that Semi-Scheduled plant would start to experience times when they are dispatched down. It's a big prompt to take next steps up the learning curve.
Analytical Challenge – determining “what might have otherwise been?”
One of the challenges in analysis is to even be conscious of the need to ascertain "what might have otherwise been".
How much wind-powered electricity production has been curtailed in SA since these new constraints were invoked?
An article that sums up some decidedly un-quick calculations we've performed - looking over an 8 week period to 13th September to estimate how much wind power has...
How significant would it be, if Mt Piper were forced to close (at least temporarily)?
A quick look at the scale of the challenge, if Mt Piper were to be forced to close following a court challenge to coal supplies upstream
Decoding AEMO’s latest ESOO–will the lights stay on this summer?
Some initial analysis by our guest author, Allan O'Neil, about what AEMO's Statement of Opportunities 2017 is saying in terms of this coming summer 2017-18
What does “Unserved Energy” actually mean – a brief explainer
A brief explainer of what "Unserved Energy" (or USE) actually means, in the context of the AEMO "Electricity Statement of Opportunities 2017" (ESOO) released this week.
It’s very misleading to claim “Since the introduction of the National Electricity Market in 1996 the wholesale price of energy has risen dramatically”
The wholesale cost of electricity has risen (too fast, too high) in recent years. However let's not let ourselves be conned into believing that this has arisen, now,...
On Saturday 2nd September, AEMO reacted to Severe Weather Warning by imposing limits on interconnector
On Saturday 2nd September, AEMO responded to a BOM-issued "Severe Weather Event" warning by reducing flow capacity west on the Heywood link. Here's how that looked...
Wind production in South Australia roared out of the June doldrums to a new production record in July 2017
From one extreme (perhaps lowest ever in June 2017, on like-for-like) to the other (new record production) in the space of just one month for aggregate wind in...
August Update: Regulatory Responses to Pricing Concern
Some thoughts from guest author, Connor James, about "what's next" in response to energy user concerns about high and escalating prices.