Spurred by a number of concurrent requests I’ve returned to the pattern of prior analysis of Q2 prices (completed in 2016, 2017 and 2018) to look at what’s changed for Q2 2020 that’s just ended. Some stakeholders clearly taken by surprise. Analysis includes the SWIS in Western Australia
Here’s an attempt to translate the concern underlying the AER Issues Paper into ‘plain English’ via the popular song.
In the midst of winter, it would be easier to forget the stresses that the NEM encountered over the prior summer 2019-20. Thankfully, the Australian Institute of Energy has arranged for this discussion for next Friday 17th July.
Some quick reflections on a day that saw spot prices in QLD down below $0/MWh for most of the period seeing strong daylight hours, hence strong injections from rooftop PV systems.
During another week that showed signs of the challenges facing all generators (new and old) in relation to spot prices for energy, invitations were delivered for discussions that will happen on 15th July.
Prompted by what I’d seen in the (daily) periodic cycling of aggregate wind production recently, I took more of a look at what’s been apparent over time.
It’s not a surprise to me to see that someone (the AER in this case) has released an Issues Paper canvassing options for changing the way Semi-Scheduled generators interact with the dispatch process. Not a surprise, as our prior analysis suggests the current approach is not sustainable or scalable.
There’s much to consider in today’s publication from the AEMO – which looks in detail at the many challenges they faced through summer 2019-20.
A brief look at what’s been happening at Bald Hills Wind Farm – over the 18 months since January 2019, but most particularly in the past couple weeks where output has dropped down near zero.
My understanding is that the AEMC’s Final Rule relating to the push to implement a ‘Negawatt Dispatch Mechanism’ will be released in the morning. I wonder what the implications will actually turn out to be…
Yesterday evening (Tue 9th June 2020) saw an example of ‘dunkelflaute’ across the NEM. It’s a phenomenon we will see increasingly as the transition progresses, so it’s something we should be seeking to understand, and address, with real world solutions and not rose coloured glasses.
Yesterday I received a call from the people at PV Magazine who were preparing for the ‘Virtual Roundtables Europe 2020’ event on this week in Germany – i.e. Tuesday evening (now!) and Wednesday evening ‘NEM time’. I’m told the event…
A quick look at the two units tripping at 13:33 on Sunday 7th June 2020, and some earlier operational problems the day before (perhaps unrelated).
A brief note about the (also short) notice from the AER relating to two rule change proposals which it has been asked to propose by the COAG Energy Council
Analysis compiled to explore what the impact was of the unusual weather pattern (extensive cloud cover and cold temperatures) seen across a large part of Queensland on Saturday 23rd May 2020.
A few quick words, about the challenges inherent in assessing the benefits of diversity too superficially. It clearly does have some benefits, but it’s not a Magic Wand.
On Thursday 21st May, Marcelle Gannon and Jonathon Dyson jointly shared a large number of insights and tips to help those interested in developing and/or operating Large Solar Farms in the NEM maximise the value they receive. Useful also for those interested in Wind Farms (i.e. any Semi-Scheduled plant), and also hybrid operations using Batteries.
This is the 3rd of 4 Case Studies to follow on from the main article (summarising results across 105,120 dispatch intervals through 2019 for ‘all Coal’ and ‘all Wind’ groupings). In this case, let’s look at the ‘worst’ case, in aggregate, where wind units under-performed compared to dispatch targets.
Following on from the article posted on the day, here’s a focused look at what can be seen in (‘next day’ public) data for Yarranlea Solar Farm on Friday 1st May 2020 – a day that saw negative prices through many half-hour trading periods in Queensland, and Large Solar farms cycling as a result.
This is the 2nd of 4 Case Studies to follow on from Tuesday’s main article (summarising results across 105,120 dispatch intervals through 2019 for ‘all Coal’ and ‘all Wind’ groupings). In this case, let’s look at the ‘worst’ case, in aggregate, where coal units over-performed compared to dispatch targets.