SA electricity demand at New Year’s exhibiting the “Duck Curve” affliction
New Years Eve and New Years Day have provided 2 excellent examples of the "Duck Curve" in South Australia
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.
Barcaldine Solar Farm output – and the audacious 50% by 2030 renewables ambition
A quick look at first output of Barcaldine Solar Farm - as a segue into consideration of what we see as an "audacious" 50% by 2030 ambition.
Alas, no time for a BBQ competition for summer 2016-17
Unfortunately too busy in serving direct customers, so we can't run the competition for summer 2016-17. You'll have to wait another year, unfortunately (but still keep an eye on demand as noted in the...
What’s going on with Victorian electricity demand?
A question, about why Victorian electricity demand seems to be trending lower and lower...
Forecasting is a Mug’s Game
The three main flaws that put boundaries on the usefulness of all forecasting/modelling
Energy sector unions throw oil onto fire
Putting another cat amongst the pigeons, energy sector unions at Loy Yang A have announced Industrial Action at the station over Christmas.
Another day, another “Actual LOR2” Notice for South Australia
Another LOR2 Market Notice issued for South Australia
AEMO notes low reserve conditions for SA (this summer and next) and in Victoria (next summer)
After an AEMO notice of Low Reserve Condition this summer and next in the south, I had a quick look...
South Australia islanded from the eastern part of the NEM overnight
South Australia was electrically islanded from the eastern part of the NEM for a number of hours overnight. Here's a quick (early morning) look at some of what happened.
Belated record of a ‘1 in 20 years’ planned outage at Eraring Power Station that had all 4 units offline
In pulling together this article in November 2024 [LINK TO COME] we came across a curious time from October to November 2016 that saw all 4 Eraring units offline for an overlapped period of...
Summer 2016-17 in the NEM
Articles relating to what happens across the NEM through summer 2016-17
So early in summer, will Queensland set a new record for peak demand?
Head's up for what might be a new record maximum electricity demand on Friday - so early in summer...
A big disconnect between words and actions?
Can you help me understand this apparent (and large) disconnect between words and actions in the GreenPower space?
Hazelwood closure announcement reflected in MT PASA capacity forecasts
Engie's announced closure of Hazelwood reflected as a big step change reduction in available capacity in Victoria at the end of March 2017.
What would price impacts be, if Hazelwood were to close in March 2017 as rumoured?
In reality, it's impossible to "know" what the price outcomes would be when Hazelwood closes. Here's some reasons why...
Wind speeds and the Blackout of South Australia
Wind speeds up during the blackout of September 28th in South Australia
First shot at trying to understand what went on, leading to the SA blackout of Wednesday 28th September
First attempt to try to piece together events leading up to the blackout in South Australia on Wed 28th September 2016
AEMO announces “Black System” across South Australia at 16:24 on Wednesday 28th September
Power's out across South Australia on the afternoon of Wednesday 28th September
About the looming (potential) closure of Hazelwood power station
Some initial thoughts following articles about the mooted closure of Hazelwood Power Station as early as April 2017.
Spring 2016 in the NEM
Articles about Spring in the NEM – September, October, November 2016