David Dixon speaks again about the large gap between aspiration and reality
Earlier on Day 2 at All Energy in the ‘National Electricity Markets’ session there were a number of interesting presentations, including one from David Dixon.
Articles by Paul McArdle
Paul was one of the founders of Global-Roam in February 2000. He is currently the CEO of the company and the principal author of WattClarity. Writing for WattClarity has become a natural extension of his work in understanding the electricity market, enabling him to lead the team in developing better software for clients.
Before co-founding the company, Paul worked as a Mechanical Engineer for the Queensland Electricity Commission in the early 1990s. He also gained international experience in Japan, the United States, Canada, the UK, and Argentina as part of his ES Cornwall Memorial Scholarship.
The ‘Reform of the NEM’ session at the tail end of Day 2 of All Energy 2025
A short note about today's graveyard shift session titled ‘Pushing Boundaries: Navigating Market Reform for a modern, efficient, and secure electricity system’ at All Energy. A session that was particularly worthwhile for me.
Frequency wobbles on Thursday afternoon 30th October 2025
A short article highlighting some frequency wobbles on Thursday afternoon 30th October 2025.
Direction for System Strength in NSW again–on Thursday 30th October 2025
In a repeat of yesterday, the AEMO has again directed for System Strength in NSW on Thursday 30th October 2025.
Comparing AggROT for (44x) Coal Units with AggROT for Semi-Scheduled units through the history of the NEM
On Sunday (following from the discussion at the NEMdev conference in Brisbane a few weeks ago, and leading into this week’s All Energy 2025 in Melbourne) I highlighted these ‘Two *big concerns* that we...
Another direction for System Strength in NSW (on Wednesday 29th October 2025)
It's day 1 of All Energy 2025 today (Wednesday 29th October 2025) , and the day will have already started - but I thought it would be topical to note another direction for System...
Frequency drop with trip of Callide B2 on Tuesday evening 28th October 2025
A short note to capture the trip of Callide B2 on Tuesday 28th October 2025 in the five minute period prior to 21:01 (NEM time) that day.
Sharp mainland frequency drop, with trip of CPP_4 on Sunday evening 26th October 2025
The Callide C4 unit tripped from 420MW in the 5 minutes to 18:36 (NEM time) on Sunday evening 26th October 2025, delivering a sharp drop in mainland frequency.
Two *big concerns* that we urge the Nelson Review panel to (re)consider (with respect to Invisible Responses) following review of the Draft Report
With All Energy happening this week in Melbourne, plus the clock ticking down on preparations at the Nelson Review Panel for their final report, I've reached back to the NEMdev conference to write about...
Selected 4-second data relating to the (SemiSched-induced) frequency weakness on Thursday 16th October 2025 (i.e. Part 4)
In Part 4 of this evolving Case Study, we take a closer look (using 4-second data) at the 12 x offending Semi-Scheduled units that appear to have played a large role in driving frequency...
AEMO announces that it’s ‘progressing transitional system security services’
A quick note to point readers here to the AEMO news update ‘AEMO progressing transitional system security services’ published today (Friday 24th October 2025).
A hot afternoon in NSW on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 (but the price did not pop … at least to 14:15)
A short article looking at the NSW region in early afternoon Wednesday 22nd October 2025.
WeatherWatch notes ‘Cyclonic Conditions for Victoria, Widespread Gales Across NSW & Areas of South Australia’
A short note (on Wednesday morning 22nd October 2025) about the Severe Weather warnings (from WeatherWatch, and then from AEMO).
Taking a first focused look at the 16:50 dispatch interval on Thursday 16th October 2025 (with frequency dropped below NOFB) … Part 3
In Part 3 of this series with respect to Thursday 16th October 2025, we focus on when a large collective under-performance across all Semi-Scheduled Wind Farms and Solar Farms dragged the frequency outside the...
Unplanned outage of Dapto – Marulan (8) 330 kV line
At 07:55 (on Monday 20th October 2025), an unplanned outage of Dapto - Marulan (8) 330 kV line led to the unplanned invocation of the 'N-DTMN_8_15M' constraint set.
Spicy prices forecast for NSW on Monday afternoon/evening 20th October 2025
A quick note, on Monday morning 20th October 2025, showing the re-emergence of price forecasts up near the Market Price Cap for a 90-120 minute period this afternoon/evening.
Forecast Minimum System Load for Victoria next Saturday 25th October 2025
A short note to flag MN129813 looking forward to next Saturday 25th October 2025, flagging possible MSL1 in Victoria.
Considerable uncertainty, with respect to what might unfold in NSW next Wednesday 22nd October 2025
Following a series of Market Notices from AEMO with respect to forecast LORx conditions for NSW next Wednesday 22nd October 2025, we take a first look.
Price spike in NSW (and QLD!) at 14:55 on Friday 17th October 2025
A very quick article to record the price spike (for ENERGY) in the NSW region at 14:55 earlier today (Friday 17th October 2025) ... and Contingency Lower in QLD.
Peeling the second layer of the onion, with respect to the (SemiSched-induced) frequency weakness on Thursday 16th October 2025
Having already noted the ‘Weakness in frequency stability on Thursday afternoon 16th October 2025’, we take a look at the causes - for the four high-profile dispatch intervals.