" So where is one of these "bulk grid supply backup" plants that you talk about? Its all talk from you but is there one for real? "
Hang on a minute. You don't know of these bulk grid supply backup plants ? You are admitting that you don't know anything about them ?
And yet, you claim that the country can't afford a grid that uses them ?
So, how can you possible make that cost claim without the knowledge of their construction and running costs ?
Sounds like conclusive proof that you don't know what you're talking about to me.
" And why is it that SA needed grid stability? The sudden drop off of production from wind generators made the grid unstable. That cost $100m to fix with a battery. Its all part of the like for like cost of generation. No wonder SA has the dearest power in the world. "
Again, you're flapping your gums and making stuff up. The SA wind generation issue, which is the subject of a court case at the moment, was about the details of the supply contract. In other words, those that wrote the contracts outlining the specific requirements for the wind farms got it wrong Further to that, windfarm based batteries are making windfarms even more efficient which makes power even cheaper. As a side benefit, they are providing various grid stability services and in some cases making expensive peaking plants redundant. Thus removing the opportunity for peak period gouging.
" Snowy 2.0 is a pumped hydro setup which will cost $10B and take at least 8 years to build. It will use more power to pump its water uphill, than it can generate. A couple of coal generators would have been a lot smarter. "
My, my. Who knew that energy storage is not 100% efficient ? Wow, you are really smart.
I notice you throw in the " A couple of coal generators would have been a lot smarter. " line. Funny how you omit the costing, the location, the pollution, the emissions, the build time etc. Why is that Mr Cost Expert ?
Btw. Pumped hydro is around 75% - 80% efficient. It can be supplied by surplus electricity which can actually have no cost. Why do you think they built pumped hydro for coal fired generation in the first place ?
Speaking of efficiency . Seeing as you think you know what you're talking about, what is the efficiency of a coal fired power station ?
