Weird & Wacky Winter Weather
With winter having a concerted last blast (or having launched straight into summer in northern Australia) it’s strange times indeed.
Articles by Paul McArdle
One of three founders of Global-Roam back in 2000, Paul has been CEO of the company since that time.
As an author on WattClarity, Paul's focus has been to help make the electricity market more understandable.
Wild winds in TAS drive aggregate instantaneous Wind Farm capacity factor close to 100%
Anthony Sharwood’s article ‘Wild winter winds hit 156 km/h in Tas, 128 km/h on mainland’ prompts me to have a quick look at wind production in Tasmania in recent days.
Are we *still* not building enough replacement Firming Capacity?
In this third excerpt from GenInsights Quarterly Updates for 2024 Q2, we share some perspectives about the amount of Firming Capacity projected to be delivered in net terms, to 2028 (given some withdrawals and some additions).
Jump in mainland System Frequency, coincident with potline trip at Portland smelter
We take a quick look, after (at 00:01 Wednesday 28th August 2024) both potlines at Portland Smelter tripped.
(Update of) long-term trends of (the high points of) Aggregate Scheduled Target
In this second excerpt from GenInsights Quarterly Updates for 2024 Q2, we share (some of) the updated analysis completed of Aggregate Scheduled Target (a metric that points to the requirement for Firming Capacity).
Curtailment (spillage) of Large Solar reaches 2/3 of total resource, on Saturday 24th August 2024
A short record of some large curtailment of Large Solar resource on Saturday 24th August 2024.
Coal-fired unit performance has improved markedly from the ‘dog year’ that was 2022
Following the recent release of the review of 2024 Q2 (and belated release of the review of 2024 Q1) here’s some updated statistics on coal unit performance.
Eraring Unit 3 offline for planned outage … but no more outages planned for Eraring through to 2027 (yet?)
With Eraring unit 3 coming offline on Sunday 25th August 2024 (not long after Eraring unit 1 returned to service) I’ve had a quick look.
GenInsights Quarterly Updates for 2024 Q2 released
(Last week) on Thursday 22nd August 2024 we released our ‘GenInsights Quarterly Updates’ detailed review of 2024 Q2, and on Friday we delivered an Executive Briefing to one of our clients.
It could be a high wind yield week ahead in the NEM?
A social media update talking about forecast high wind speeds in the coming week prompts me to check forecast aggregate wind farm production.
Callide C3 returns to service, a couple days earlier than schedule
After a forced outage lasting almost 4 weeks, Callide C3 came back online Wednesday evening 21st August 2024.
Morning burst of volatility in South Australia (Thursday 22nd August 2024)
A short article with this snapshot to document a morning burst of volatility in South Australia on Thu 22nd Aug 2024.
Reviewing rebids at Loy Yang A1 for Tuesday 20th August 2024 … [alternate title = tips for ez2view users in the ‘Bid Explorer’ widget]
For several reasons (including as prompted by conversations with several different clients in recent days) here’s a review of rebidding at Loy Yang A1 as the unit came offline on Tuesday 20th August 2024.
Using the ‘Next Day Public’ data set to see more about yesterday evening’s unplanned outage at Loy Yang A1 (which remains offline at this point)
A brief follow-on to yesterday evening’s article about the unplanned outage at Loy Yang A1 (Tue 20th Aug 2024).
Millmerran unit 2 offline on unplanned outage – Wednesday 21st August 2024
Another brief article (to help some specific readers/clients) with respect to a coal unit outage … this time Millmerran unit 2.
Unplanned outage at Loy Yang A1
A quick look at some market data in ez2view, with respect to Loy Yang A1 unit coming offline on Tuesday afternoon 20th August 2024.
Tarong North Power Station trips on Monday evening 19th August 2024
A quick contemporaneous record of the trip of the Tarong North Power station unit on Monday evening 19th August 2024.
Queensland ‘Market Demand’ drops below 3,000MW (for the first time in over 20 years), on Sunday 18th August 2024
Sunday 18th August 2024 sees Queensland reach a new ‘lowest’ point for ‘Market Demand’ … not quite 8 months after it saw a ‘highest ever’ point for ‘Market Demand’. Stretched at both ends, and a clear indication of the challenges of this energy transition.
Wobbles in recent days, at Loy Yang A
A brief follow on article about Loy Yang A station, following the A4 unit trip yesterday, and unsuccessful return to service today.
System frequency drop with trip at Loy Yang A4 on Wednesday 14th August 2024
A short record of a coal unit trip around the time of a system frequency drop. on Wednesday 14th August 2024.