Long-term trend shows coal being crunched
A chart and a table presented today at FutureGAS highlighting how the dominance of coal in power generation across the NEM is starting to shift.
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.
Autumn 2013 in the NEM
After an eventful summer 2012-13 in the NEM, where we saw a heatwave early in the season lead into flooding rains (again) – and a new “Best Demand Forecaster” crowned, we progressed into what would normally be the less eventful…
Millmerran station trip drives prices sky high
At 23:05 on Saturday 9th March AEMO advised that the Millmerran power station units 1 and 2 tripped simultaneously at 22:07 (58 minutes prior) – for reasons still unknown.
Here’s how we saw it unfold at real time.
A late burst to summer in the south drives demand higher
Some high temperatures in Victoria and South Australia drive demand higher and, because of transmission constraints, the IRPM in the Economic Island lower.
Temperatures drive demand, and volatility, in Victoria and South Australia Monday 18th February
The price spiked yesterday (Monday 18th February) in South Australia and Victoria – here’s an overview of what happened.
Sorted entries, in our annual “Best Demand Forecaster” competition for 2012-13
A clear view of who are the bears, and who are the bulls, in terms of where they have forecasted the peak demand for summer 2012-13 will finally land.
Scorching Sydney drives demand today into the red zone
A record of the extreme temperatures across NSW today, driving demand in NSW up towards the all-time electricity demand record set 23 months ago.
Some factors that contributed to the remarkable volatility in Queensland over the weekend
A starting list of a number of factors that combined to deliver sustained higher wholesale electricity prices in the Queensland region across the weekend of Saturday 12th January and Sunday 13th January 2013.
NEM-wide demand races past 31,500MW today
A record of the highest NEM-wide demand so far during summer 2012-13. A useful reference, for all of those who entered our “Best Demand Forecaster in the NEM” competition this time, and for those who sat on the sidelines.
How extraordinary have Queensland’s recent electricity pricing patterns been?
After watching electricity spot prices in Queensland remain stubbornly high over the weekend, we invested some time today to assess the extent to which these price patterns had ever been seen before – in the 15 years of NEM history.
Demand (and price) remain stubbornly high in Queensland over the weekend
An extra-ordinary weekend in Queensland, where the mercury stays up and so does electricity demand and (as a result, plus with some help from other factors) so does price.
NEM-Wide demand peaked above 31,000MW on Friday
A record of a hot day that drove NEM-Wide demand to the highest level it has achieved (thus far) this summer. See this in context of historical maximum levels.
Queensland’s turn to sweat today, but NEM-wide demand plummets
A snapshot of a day of contrast – with high demand in Queensland (temperature driven) and extraordinarily low demand in the south.
Not even 41 degrees in Sydney today can drive demand close to a new record
The mercury in Sydney topped the 40 degree mark today, but demand did not climb to the heights it achieved when it set the record 2 summers ago.
A stinker today in the south – but demand barely wakes from the holiday slumber (and yet prices explode!)
A preliminary look at a number of events that happened today, leading to prices spiking to the Market Price Cap in a number of regions, Demand Side Response being very active, and trading desks being very busy.
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Following the weather warning, what’s the demand outlook in the south?
With a severe weather warning issued for much of Australia (with Sydney and Brisbane almost being the only exceptions) and lasting several days, it’s timely to look at what AEMO is forecasting demand to be in the week ahead.
How has Demand Diversity changed, over 15 summers?
Some analysis of the extent to which Demand Diversity (the degree to which peak demands in each region occur at different times) has changed in 15 years. If there are changes, it could be a factor at play in why peak demand has been changing.
A more detailed look at how demand has trended over 15 summers in the NEM
A longer-term look at how summer (peak and average) demand has trended over the 15 years of NEM history to date.
A remarkable(?) Christmas Day load shape
A brief look at the demand shape on Christmas Day 2012, and how this compares to prior years.
Celebrate a summer Christmas with us–with your own new Beefmaster Premium 6 BBQ!
Here’s our regular, annual and popular call-to-calculators for all those who’ve drawn the short straw and have to work on through the Christmas -to- New Year this summer season. Turn the tables on those off enjoying some summer sun, or skiing way up north by getting your entry in – with a chance to be anointed “Best Demand Forecaster in the NEM” and celebrate with your own new BBQ (or some other new prizes).