Another boost for the renewable energy grid

Originally posted by acorn: ↑

Thanks Rob.

It is interesting how this might play out. Unfortunately we don't have a long term State/Federal plan to reference so we'll have to guess on this one a bit.

Obviously having bigger better national grid connections facilitates more flexibility. I agree that being able to import more black coal electricity to displace gas generation will help SA.

How this works with the PM's recent announcement on more gas generation in the eastern states has me wondering though ? I'm still waiting for the detail on that.

Looking further ahead it does mean that the bigger excesses of SA's renewable energy can be exported east. SA has more renewable energy potential than they could ever use so it makes sense to have more capacity for export. SA could become a net exporter in the future.
It also helps diversify renewable energy geographically which I think is pretty smart.

Additionally, if you think 10-20 years ahead, we will have some pretty significant storage facilities spread across the grid. As we all know, storage is the key to renewables. Both local domestic sized ones and large commercial ones for grid support.

Morrison is giving a press conference right now. One of his big points is a $2 billion deal with NSW for gas supply. I'm not sure where the gas is coming from though ? Coincidentally, Twiggy's LNG import facility will be ready in the not too distant future. Not sure how much cheaper this will make power ?

I watch with interest.........

https://ausindenergy.com/

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Acorn, there are a lot of points in your post which makes it hard to know what to respond to. For me conceptually it sounds fine, practically it only works if you ignore curtailment and storage losses. If NSW close their coal there is no backup and if it is sunny and windy at the same time then the transmission is too small and storage required would be enormous and cost prohibitive.

Which Wind and solar farms will be curtailed? What is the curtailment policy in place and how will they cover their fixed costs if they have negative prices and forced to curtail because demand is low and weather conditions ideal? Where is any of this included in any plan presented by anyone?

SA had a target to build wind and solar, they have achieved that, they were able to ignore the frequency and intermittency because they had an extension cord to Victoria and large amount of gas generators in the background. Currently one of the transmission lines is out of action and they are running 50% in a manner that ensures they are not islanded. For the next week or so we are finally able to get a good picture of what 50% renewable looks like. Each state has a responsibility to ensure they can operate in an islanded situation, currently in my opinion that responsibility is being neglected and we are relying on ageing plant to hide that.

It is interesting for sure, it is also a little scary.
Bw