Good News & Bad News, page-18066

Positive signs in the NEM during this transition from a FF powered grid to renewable energy. Record renewable energy production and network strength improvements are allowing a reduction in gas powered peak generation units.

I note, SA has commissioned 4 synchronous condensers last year which is increasing system strength and inertia, allowing a larger portion of energy generation to come from renewables. More batteries are being installed at distribution level and residential level which will ultimately lead to the demise of coal and gas generation. I note on Saturday, the inter-connector between SA and the NEM tripped on both circuits. This meant the curtailment of renewables and probably required gas generation units to come online. More storage and inertia projects will sort this.

Queensland, dinosaur coal generation units are failing and increased maintenance time and costs are making their demise inevitable. New wind, solar and energy storage projects look like rapidly changing the generation mix with a rapid renewable transition now being fast tracked.

“Grid-scale solar, wind, hydro and rooftop solar PV continued to displace thermal generation, with black coal-fired generation falling to its lowest Q4 average since 1998, while gas generation declined to its lowest Q4 average since 2003,”

Record coal and gas prices are fast tracking the demise of FF generation. Synthetic inertia being provided by battery and next generation wind turbines, amongst other options like synchronous condensers mentioned above, are providing the system strength for our future grid.

AGL and Origin Energy can see the future and are now in a rapid transition of their business models. They have been dragged kicking and screaming, and their shareholders have suffered.

Unfortunately, the cost during this transition period will be high thanks to the head in sand mentality of governments over the previous few decades. Yes, this should have started decades ago but here we are. Projects everywhere to transition the grid are in motion.

EV's will play an important part in the future grid with their storage capability for rooftop solar and export capability, to supply into the network at peak load periods being a positive. Studies indicate that the amount of extra generation required is only an extra 3-4% with an electrified transport disruption.

A couple of AEMO articles on quarter generation commentary. Still much work to do but it's happening.


https://aemo.com.au/newsroom/media-release/renewable-generation-reaches-new-highs-in-record-setting-quarter

https://aemo.com.au/newsroom/media-release/q4-qed_renewables-drive-new-records-in-volatile-december-quarter