Summer 2017-18 in the NEM
Articles pertaining to summer 2017-18 in 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.
Spring 2017 in the NEM
Articles pertaining to spring 2017 (Sept, Oct, Nov) in the NEM
Energy Literacy
This is a category of articles that have been accumulating on WattClarity for some time, aimed at helping to tame Villain #4, which is what we see as a growing deficit in Energy Literacy/Numeracy...
Here’s three big reasons why spot prices in Queensland are higher than they used to be
A quick outline of what have been (in my view) the three key reasons why wholesale electricity prices in Queensland have risen, compared to 5 years ago.
If spot price outcomes through Q2 2016 were “truly remarkable” then price outcomes for Q2 2017 were off the chart
A year on from my review of "remarkable" prices seen in Q2 2016, I return to the same analysis and update for Q2 2017. Outcomes are even more extreme...
Where’s the wind gone? NEM-wide wind farm operation lowest in 5 years (maybe ever, on like-for-like basis?)
A brief look, in the time available today, at a truly remarkable low point in aggregate wind farm output across the NEM through June 2017
Another industrial energy user enters Liquidation (in South Australia this time)
Coming back from a week out of the office, I was disconcerted to see that yet another industrial energy user has closed its doors.
Package of “reduce electricity prices in QLD” measures seen to reduce hedge contract prices
A quick look at how the wholesale contracts market reacted to the announced bundle of measures by the Queensland Government, aimed at reducing the cost of electricity to energy users.
Winter 2017 in the NEM
A collection of articles posted about Winter 2017 in the NEM
The ‘Finkel Review’ released on 1st June 2017
A belated link to the Finkel Review.
2 x Loy Yang A units offline this afternoon
Two units temporarily offline at Loy Yang A on Monday 8th May (not without coincidence/conspiracy theories)
Warnings of load shedding in Victoria and South Australia on Thursday 11th May, and larger on Monday 15th May
Autumn 2017 continues the very rocky experience that's become "new normal" for the National Electricity Market - with warnings of load shedding for Victoria and South Australia this week and next
More trouble brewing at Loy Yang A power station – with strike action called
A quick look at the market, following announcement of industrial action next week at Loy Yang A power station
Aggregate rate of wind production across South Australia breaks the all-time record
New record rate of wind power production in South Australia reached towards midnight at the end of Tuesday 25th April
Aggregate Wind Farm output across South Australia topped 1,400MW for the first time – on 9th April, with more to come
Total wind output (aggregated across all wind farms in South Australia) established a new record on Sunday 9th April.
High Regulation FCAS Prices on Tuesday 18th April in South Australia
Quick review of a spike in FCAS Prices in South Australia on Tuesday 18th April 2017 - leading to Administered Pricing for Raise Regulation Services.
Ararat Wind Farm at full capacity
Brief note about completion of construction at Ararat Wind Farm
Noteworthy analysis of the state-wide blackout across South Australia on 28th September 2016
A listing of key reports and analysis into the SA blackout of 28th September 2016.
End of an era at Hazelwood
A record of the closure of Hazelwood this week - and some initial thoughts on the implications
[POSTED 13:40] TC Debbie dampens electricity consumption in Queensland
A quick look (posted 13:40) at electricity consumption in Northern Queensland with the onset of Tropical Cyclone Debbie