When The Levee Breaks
Our guest author (Mike Williams) shares some practical tips for how energy users can brace themselves for the rising tsunami of energy costs
high prices
Heatwave threatens to melt Victorian all-time electricity demand record today – with Reserve Trader getting a run
An early review of what’s been happening today (Wednesday 15th January) with the heatwave in Victoria and South Australia
High temperatures drive NEM-wide demand towards 30,000MW
Demand surges in Victoria and South Australia on the back of blistering heat, dragging prices out of their long-term slumber as a result.
Price volatility returns to the Queensland region
A quick look at some more volatility experienced in the Queensland region on Wednesday 23rd October
7-day South Australian overview (Thu 30 May to Wed 5 June)
Spot Prices in South Australia were elevated over the past 7 days – here are some reasons why.
Prices yo-yo in SA this morning, as installed capacity goes missing
Following yesterday’s warnings about the potential for a tight supply/demand balance in South Australia this week, it was not really a surprise when the SMS alerts from NEM-Watch began buzzing for the 07:20 dispatch interval this morning (NEM time), highlighting that the dispatch price in SA had jumped to $12,199.20/MWh. This has continued through the morning.
The return of the evening price spikes as the winter demand shape arrives a little early
The distinctive winter demand shape returns – and with it comes the evening peaks in prices (even on a Sunday).
Price spikes in SA at 23:35 with the switch-in of off-peak hot water
A price spike late at night in South Australia, not long after posting other comments about low surplus generation capacity.
SA prices rise as Surplus Capacity drops to levels not seen since 2004
Spot prices in South Australia have been seen to be higher in the month of April than in the prior months, which is somewhat counter-intuitive. Prices also spiked this evening on a number of occasions above $500/MWh – here’s some of the reasons why.
Animated illustration of Queensland Region volatility on 20th December 2012
Here’s an animated view of how price volatility emerged in the Queensland region of the National Electricity Market emerged on 20th December 2012 – and the range of factors that contributed.
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.
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.
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.
Prices see-saw across the (mainland) NEM today
An interesting day in the NEM today, with prices gyrating across a wide spectrum, and across all four mainland regions – on the back of higher demand in Victoria and South Australia due to temperatures there, and supported by transmission issues and other factors.
Prices soar as the south-east sizzles – with summer arriving early
Some quick observations about the price spikes observed yesterday on the back of high temperature-driven demand in Victoria.
A very volatile day in VIC and SA (not particularly due to the Carbon Tax)
Some quick notes today, on day #2 of the Carbon Tax, prompted by some prices that jumped all around the place (not so much due to carbon, though).
Only 709MW of spare generation capacity in NSW at 15:40
A quick note about the tight supply/demand balance in NSW today – by virtue for high demand and constrained interconnector capability.
NEM-wide demand higher still, as NSW regional demand eclipses record
An illustration of the high demand and volatility on Tuesday 1st February.
Price hits the new Market Price Cap in NSW this morning
Some quick notes about a price spike to the (newly raised) Market Price Cap in NSW this morning
Tassie price spike on Sunday
Some quick notes about a price spike this evening in Tasmania.