The NEM consumes (at least) 10GW of supply from renewable plant on Sunday 19th July 2020
A short review, as it happens, on a day where renewable production reached 10,000MW in aggregate across the NEM.
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.
Four headline challenges amongst a very busy summer 2019-20
My participation in yesterday's session about ‘Energy Technology – performing under (heat) stress’, organised by the Australian Institute of Energy, was an opportunity to reflect on what I saw as the Four Headline Events...
Difficult to determine (i.e. minor) reduction in daily NEM-wide aggregate ‘Underlying Consumption’ in 2020, the (first?) COVID year
For several reasons I've updated my view of how daily aggregate Underlying Electricity Consumption has been trending across the NEM in this 'Year of COVID'.
AEMC issues 3-month delay to the commencement of Five Minute Settlement
The rule change that delayed the start of 5MS to 1st October 2021
It’s good news that time-weighted average prices for Q2 2020 are down on prior years – right?
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...
‘Too Low for Zero’ as a parable for the AER Issues Paper?
Here's an attempt to translate the concern underlying the AER Issues Paper into 'plain English' via the popular song.
‘Energy Technology – performing under (heat) stress’ – discussion on Friday 17th July 2020
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...
Saturday 4th July 2020 sees QLD spot prices crunched over long periods of the day, with solar booming
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.
‘NEM merchant pricing–is this the new normal?’ – discussion on Wednesday 15th July 2020
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.
Trended daily aggregate wind output since January 2010
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.
AER releases Issues Paper on proposed rule change(s) for Semi-Scheduled generators
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...
AEMO releases its ‘2019-20 NEM Summer Operations Review Report’
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.
What’s been happening with Bald Hills Wind Farm
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...
The rise of the ‘Negawatt Factory’?
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...
‘Dunkelflaute’ Down Under
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,...
Looking gloomy at Oakey 2 Solar Farm again?
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...
Two units at Vales Point trip simultaneously on Sunday 7th June 2020
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).
AER to develop two Rule Change proposals about Semi-Scheduled generation
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
Sunshine State forgets its own branding on Saturday 23rd May 2020
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.
Villain no 6d – Diversity is not a magic wand
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.