Bouldercombe battery has started charging again (Thursday evening 28th September 2023)
A short article Thursday evening 28th September 2023 with the battery back online and charging, after the fire.
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.
CS Energy update on repairs to Callide C3 and C4 cooling tower
A quick article, following a social media update by CS Energy on the repair process for the cooling towers at Callide C.
Industrial Action at Kogan Creek Power station part 3 – appears unrelated to Tuesday’s trip, and then lower load into Wednesday
Yesterday (Tue 26th Sept 2023) we saw Kogan Creek drop offline for a few hours - and were asked if this was related to industrial action. Here, with the benefit of 'next day public'...
Another (Tesla) big battery fire in the NEM … this one at Bouldercombe BESS in QLD
It's Wednesday morning 27th September 2023 and the fire that started last night at Bouldercombe BESS (Tesla battery for Genex) is still burning.
Negative ‘Market Demand’ in South Australia on Saturday 23rd September 2023
A quick snapshot of one dispatch interval (of a number) seeing negative 'Market Demand' in South Australia on Saturday 23rd September 2023.
Federal Court finding relating to Pelican Point CCGT on 8th February 2017 … and upcoming market changes
Also in the news this week (a Federal Court judgement in relation to AER instituted proceedings against Engie in relation to Pelican Point from 8th Feb 2017) ... which is coincidental with upcoming changes...
Industrial Action at Kogan Creek Power station part 2 … it starts today, and here’s where to watch live output
A second quick article about the reported commencement of industrial action at Kogan Creek Power Station in QLD today (Thu 21st Sept 2023).
The NSW budget today (Tue 19th Sept) and negotiations over Eraring
A quick note about Eraring Power Station, with the NSW state budget released today (Tue 19th Sept 2023).
BOM declares that El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are underway
Tuesday 19th September 2023 and the Bureau of Meteorology has declared that El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) are underway
It’s hot in Sydney (and elsewhere) … and demand is (moderate but) tracking ahead of forecasts
A quick record of 'equal hottest September day on record' for Sydney ... and its impact on electricity demand
About the low Operational Demand on Sat 16th Sept and Sun 17th Sept 2023
Following the low levels of demand over the weekend (Sat 16th and Sun 17th Sept 2023) here's a few quick notes.
Current outage plans for Kogan Creek – with threats of industrial action
The print version of the AFR today talks about possible industrial action at Kogan Creek power station - prompting us to take a quick look at current Availability projections.
QLD’s turn at new lowest point for minimum demand (in ordinary times)
It's Queensland's turn today, with a further ratchet lower in minimum demand on Sunday 17th September 2023.
New ‘lowest ever*’ points for Market Demand–in Victoria and NEM-wide on Saturday 16th September 2023 (and record high IRPM)
A quick capture of an unfolding situation on Saturday 16th Sept 2023 - seeing record low demand (in VIC and NEM-wide), and highest ever IRPM.
Extended long-term trend of wind production statistics (to the end of August 2023)
For a couple of reasons, I've updated/extended the trend of monthly aggregate statistics for wind farms across the NEM ... now out till the end of August 2023.
AEMC proposes to progressively increase MPC to $22,800/MWh by 1 July 2027 (amongst other changes)
A short note about the AEMC's draft determination, published today.
System Strength constraints strike again in northern QLD – this time on Wednesday 6th September 2023 (Part 1 of Case Study?)
On Wednesday 6th September many Semi-Scheduled (wind and solar) units in northern QLD were 'constrained down' for System Strength reasons. We take a first look as part 1 of a Case Study (more parts...
NSW Government to explore option for (relatively short) extension to operations at Eraring Power Station … amongst other initiatives
Yesterday, the NSW Government released both the Marsden Jacobs report (NSW Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up) and the Government’s Response.
It only took a day (after release of the 2023 ESOO) to get to RERT Tenders for summer 2023-24
Yesterday (Thu 31st Aug) we saw the release of the 2023 ESOO. Today (Fri 1st Sept 2023) AEMO calls for tenders for supply of 'Reserve Trader' in VIC and SA for summer 2023-24.
The 2023 ESOO again prompts the question … ‘what’s the contingency plan’?
The 2023 ESOO contains some some reporting (and data) about one particular contingency plan ... delaying retirement of existing thermal generators (with Eraring a case in point).