Power Generation Problems Down Under

I don't try to predict the future.

 

We shall see.

 

RE works great on an individual level if you have the space and ability to do your own maintenance. Wind does pretty good on the large scale. The problem with RE is that it isn't always available and there is no affordable way to store that energy for later. At the grid level, RE is still a supplemental source.

I'm getting ready to build a barndominium on acreage. I don't want to deal with the expense and complexity of an off grid system, so I will do grid intertied solar, spray foam insulation, and very efficient appliances. I'd like to eventually put a small VAWT on my roof ridge to supplement night power usage. The local energy provider doesn't provide much for net metering. My South side will have a 15 foot porch to shade my exterior.

 

I agree that storage is one of the main issues going forward. I imagine, just like the growth of solar power, more a diversity of more affordable storage options will open up.

May I ask what grid intertied solar is? That actually sounds like you're combining two systems. Yes the electricity companies don't pay much now for excess solar. This has stung quite a few people that invested big. Pity.

 

Well many of the concerns that you bring up and articles that you cite, do.

 

Solar panels that feed an inverter. If I make more than I am using the excess is backfed onto the grid and sold to my energy provider at their cost of production. The system uses the grid for storage instead of batteries. My peak usage should coincide with peak solar production, so I'll invest in just enough solar to equal my usage. I'll try to do all washing during the daylight when possible.

A couple of years ago my buddy was getting true net metering. His meter ran both directions and he settled his bill at the end of the year. $67 for his first year and he has a 2400 sf house, a 2400 sf shop, and an in ground pool. His system cost him $11.5k after federal rebates. We work on industrial electronics and can install it ourselves. He also owns an AC company and gets the good stuff cheap.

 

It looks like there's a good case for solar supplementation of the grid in Texas. And in some cases you can just about run everything on solar and have the grid as supplement. Obviously you're in a good place and know a bit about it and have good support.

In Australia solar works well because peak electricity use during the summers is for airconditioning, which coincides with peak solar strength.

Winter is another matter, of course. Solar power is actually pretty good in winter as long as the sun is shining, but most parts of the world will need some kind of fossil-fuel supplementation.
However, times are changing. They're bringing in things called heat pumps in Europe, especially Germany. I hear they are expensive to retrofit and complicated bits of technology, but if installed properly are effective for heating and cooling needs. They run on electricity.

 

You said it mate! And it is not just coal and steel. We are now producing a fair proportion of the worlds lithium and apparently are one of the biggest exporters of lead so the Yanks better watch out or they will suddenly find themselves without bullets

 

Yeah/nah maybe. This was what Twiggy Forest was trying to start up “green” hydrogen and ammonia. ammonia in particular is easy as you get the nitrogen from the atmosphere as a freebie

https://ffi.com.au/technology/green-ammonia/

 

Check out the AbcAus link I uploaded the other day

 

My studying of what is happening with climate change goes back at least that far only difference? I stayed away from the astroturf

 

Actually that was the quiet part of the AUKUS deal - we might end up storing some waste

 

What I don’t think this lot appreciate is how widely separated SouthAustralia is as far as population centres are concerned

Loved this comment I the comments section underneath

https://judithcurry.com/2023/03/14/australian-renewable-energy-transition-part-3/

I fact checked him on the 1:5 deaths because others commented on it - and according to research he is correct
https://www.allsides.com/news/2021-...-1-5-deaths-worldwide-new-harvard-study-finds

 

Fine - find us a reactor that won’t break the Federal budget and we might be interested

 

Aha, now I could be wrong but I think we mean two different thing!

By heat pump I mean they have these alternative heating technologies in Germany to replace natural gas heating in individual buildings. When I say new, I mean new to me - but the technology seems to proven and they are going full steam ahead installing them, given Ukraine.

https://archinect.com/news/article/...-to-germany-s-energy-independence-this-winter



Thank you for your link, though. Looks interesting

 

You mean more than our own??

 

Plus an accepting neighbourhood to put them near.

Our American friends probably think that because we don't protest about policies that we want (gun laws and covid restrictions) that Australians, as a society, are some kind of pushover

It will take some convincing.

 

Yep! Want to take a bet on Maralinga?

 

Heat pumps are a real “alternate lifestyle” thing but yes apparently they do work

 

I don't fully agree with PM Keatings recent outburst, but he's probably right when he says we're going to get the shafted end of the stick on this deal.

 

You're a legend, I'm sure.

 

You'll get better submarines.

 

Yes. But we are historically poor negotiators with our larger Anglo-brothers.

 

The beat goes on.
Australian Wind Performance Shows the Net Zero Dream is a Nightmare
ECONOMICS AND POLICY MARCH 16, 2023

 

Nuclear is now sustainable in the UK.
Renewable Fail: Britain to Now Class Nuclear Power as “Sustainable Energy”
Eric Worrall
The British government has caved in to the reality that renewables don’t work, and will now include nuclear energy in its plan to transition to “sustainable” power. . . .