Summer’s on the way (first hot day we’ve posted about)
First hot day we've posted about prior to summer 2014-15
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.
AGL is almost twice as large as the second biggest generator – who’s also in the list?
A snapshot of generator size, by ownership
An illustration of increasing generation oversupply in the National Electricity Market
To augment today's article in the Australian Financial Review, here's an illustration of the growing oversupply.
About Carbon Emissions
Specific articles directly related to carbon emissions
Gas burn at Queensland power stations has dropped in September
Further analysis of the interaction between electricity and gas markets in Queensland at present.
Electricity spot prices crushed from all sides
Low prices today in South Australia and Queensland for various reasons - but summed up by a large oversupply of capacity
Spring 2014 in the NEM
Posts pertaining to events we see occurring through spring 2014
A 60% Instantaneous Reserve Plant Margin – even with plant out for maintenance
A massive overhang of capacity seen today - leading to price suppression
Doomsday predictions for security of supply?!
In parallel with the RET Review process, claims and counter claims are mounting about challenges to security of supply, moving forwards. Here are some initial thoughts...
Incumbent Retailers under siege on both sides
Several things we've noticed about what's been changing in the electricity retail landscape in Australia's electricity markets.
Who are the biggest carbon emitters, in the National Electricity Market?
Some analysis of carbon emissions for large generation portfolios in the NEM, and comparison with prior post about wind production levels.
Winter evening price spike – like yesteryear (not quite)
Coincident with the release of the RET Review, activity in the spot market provides some reminders...
Is AGL Energy actually the NEM’s greenest generator?
A different look at the numbers suggests that AGL Energy does have some green credentials...
… so what would the similar trend look like for the (larger) AGL
Following last week's analysis of EnergyAustralia's larger portfolio we do the same thing for AGL Energy (including Macquarie Generation)
Privatising profits whilst socialising costs – part 1 (wholesale)
Some initial thoughts about some of the areas (in the wholesale market) where there's been finger-pointing in different directions about "socialising costs whilst privatising profits"
Volumes and revenues crunched by oversupply
Following the article in the FinReview today about EnergyAustralia...
Negative spot prices in Queensland
Prices dropped below $0 in Queensland this morning - not for the first time in recent days...
What happens if (when?) existing wind farms cross to “the Dark Side”?
A quick look at a price spike that occurred Monday evening (4th August) in South Australia
Queensland gas prices plunge, and generators splurge
This is the lowest I can remember seeing the STTM gas price at the Brisbane hub!
Spot prices back to yesteryear
Spot prices in the doldrums with low demand and high production from wind and gas.