Oh surprise surprise, the sun doesn’t shine on solar cells overnight, nor strongly early morning.
Renewables function as a symphony of parts.
Yes there will be times when output is low, like overnight with solar as you keep repeating. However, overnight demand is also low … now isn’t that a wondrous circumstance.
In the south eastern states, morning peak hour demand is likely met by discharging renewables stored in the high dams of the Snowy.
Long term, steady supply can only come with sufficient storage that harnesses day time renewables over-production. Despite delays and cost overruns, Snowy 2 will provide a step jump in renewables storage for the south eastern states.
Green hydrogen has an emerging role to play in storing periods of wind and solar over-production … whether directly or as ammonia to produce hydrogen, or co-mixed with conventional gas as needed.
For these moving parts to work seamlessly, renewables should be constructed to over-produced during significant periods most days. With over-production going to green hydrogen, Australia has the opportunity to become an energy exporter and to restart heavy and manufacturing industries, cleanly.
Flogging the increased coal option is just bone lazy thinking, that will only hold Australia back globally.
