Ararat Wind Farm at full capacity
Brief note about completion of construction at Ararat Wind Farm
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.
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
On batteries, and “fixing South Australia’s problems”
Some quick thoughts about Tesla's promise to "fix South Australia's power woes". Which specific problem is Tesla promising to fix?
With the closure of Hazelwood looming, hedge contract prices climb skywards
Ominous signs for spot price outcomes through Q2 2016 in Victoria, as hedge contract prices climb prior to the imminent closure of Hazelwood.
[UPDATED] AEMO Market Notice on “High Impact Outage” for tomorrow – and possible effect in South Australia
AEMO issues a Market Notice for a "High Impact Outage" - a term not used since 2012.
Collective skittishness about South Australia?
With high temperatures forecast for SA (hence higher demand) coinciding with low wind, social media references to "blackout" increase. Is this helpful?
Autumn 2017 in the NEM
Collection of articles written for Autumn 2017
EnerNOC seems to have grossly under-represented the amount of Demand Response active in the NEM
The level of Demand Response currently active in Australia's National Electricity Market is higher than some are estimating.
Question – in an interconnected electricity system (and market), when did it become acceptable to neglect a systems view?
Because of (technical and commercial) interconnectedness in the National Electricity Market, the possibility of unintended consequences should be kept in mind
Analytical Challenge – keeping an open mind to positions expressed by a broad range of people
"Incumbency" seems to have become a pejorative in the NEM
Interesting take, by battery maker Sonnen, on the “free energy” business model
Some brief thoughts on one innovative business model being introduced to the NEM incorporating batteries, demand response, and free energy
[4th Post] Large and rapid demand drop curtails demand bid for new record in Queensland
Final post for the day - a high demand level achieved, but not an all-time record.
[3rd post] The supply/demand situation in Queensland gets tighter
3rd update today as the supply/demand balance tightens, and a transmission outage adds a complexity
[Post 2] Later AEMO forecasts moderate demand forecasts slightly – but still looks to be massive
Demand forecast down slightly on this morning, but still looking like a record.
[Post 1] Early AEMO forecasts look towards new record electricity demand in Queensland today
AEMO early morning forecast pointing to a new record electricity demand late this afternoon.
[2nd post] Astonishing Queensland electricity demand – on a Sunday!
An astounding day with Queensland electricity demand on a Sunday - a new peak (according to Powerlink) or not quite (on Dispatch Target basis).
[1st post] AEMO forecasts near-record electricity demand in Queensland – late on a Sunday evening!
Looking forward to this evening, and what looks set to be a near all-time record for QLD demand (a remarkable outcome for a Sunday)
About solar panels (predominantly) facing north, not west
To clarify a quotation today in the Fairfax media about solar PV performance on heatwave Friday in NSW.