AGL vows to exit coalfired power stations, page-5

Please read my post more carefully, the fact is the wholesale cost of electrical that users purchase from the energy pool has reduced! Are you saying that without the RET is would have reduced further? Crystal ball stuff if so.

The reliability of renewables and the grid? When the Latrobe Valley was hit by an earthquake (tremor) some time ago 2 by 500 megawatt units at Loy yang instantly and simultaneously tripped almost causing an east coast blackout. If it had happened during the day it would have caused major disruption. This is a problem with a centralised energy system whether renewables are involved or not. you are implying that renewables from a variety of sources would simply switch of? You are forgetting that there are renewables from hydro and biomass sources that although smaller in scale are, in particular hydro, extremely reliable. Yes hydro needs water, but it is not as you aren't warned when the storage is getting low. A fire in Loy yang open cut could actually devastate the economy as a potential loss of 3000 Mw for many months could occur in the worst case situation, but open cuts dont catch fire do they?????Distributed and renewable energy is proven beneficial in areas at the end of long transmission lines, its cheaper than fossil fuel alternative such as remote diesel generators and will become more so as battery technology improves. A major renewable project is being implemented on Lord Howe Island, why, fossil fuel cost there is horrendous that is why. I actually thought a solar systems CS dish would be ideal for this, but the designs are already in for a standard cell array.

As far as employment who said anything remotely like replacing shovels with spoons? I was saying getting people employed to make a better shovel than having them do nothing shows vision, something the extreme right seems to lack. Better shovels may mean in 2o years time we are not paying compensation for work related injuries, or even being more productive. There is an analogy to the climate change debate there. For the article you quoted, do you think the advances in LED lighting constitute a "widget"? Anybody who use an incandescent or halogen light now has proverbial rocks in their head. This article concentrates on negatives and no positives, like most biased articles. The advances in LEDS have come about largely because of the need for more efficient and robust lighting.

As for the implementation of the RET goes don't confuse projects that are poorly managed ( the ALP specialises in this) with projects that could provide lasting benefits.
The old chestnut about Australia cant make a difference, well, I consider I am part of a global community and are prepared to do my bit. As for insurance, I reinforce I don't want to find out I didn't do or pay enough when I find I need it.

Anyway enough of this, this is an SLX thread and the way the SP is performing I think MG should hang his head at the lack of "promised" regular communication. Almost tempted to change to sell, but cant afford to.