South Australia’s baseload power from wind energy

Wind Power ‘The New Baseload’ In South Australia http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php main_page=news_article&article_id=3231 by Energy Matters, 31 May 12 Achieving 20% renewable energy in Australia by 2020 isn’t impossible – in fact, South Australia has already blown past goal that courtesy of wind energy primarily, with a helping hand from residential solar panel installations.

According to a report from EnergyQuest, wind power derived electricity generation grew by 24% (300 GWh) in the March quarter, contributing just over 3% of east coast generation; with the highest level occurring in South Australia (942 GWh), representing 31% of the State’s grid generation.

“In South Australia wind appears to be the new baseload,” says EnergyQuest Chief Executive Dr Graeme Bethune.

The report notes the overall drop in traditional forms of grid power generation in Australia during the March quarter was also in part due to the growth in homesolar power systems.

EnergyQuest estimates that Solar PV generated 476 GWh on the east coast in the March quarter, representing 0.9% of east coast generation. The biggest contributing state was New South Wales where solar panels generated 139 GWh of clean electricity. The highest percentage contribution to a state was again in South Australia – 3.5%.
According to the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Rooftop PV Information Paper, PV solar installations have grown dramatically since 2008, with 1450 MW now installed in the NEM (National Electricity Market).

EnergyQuest also confirms something that has been widely claimed by supporters of renewable energy – wind and solar power push down wholesale electricity prices due to what is known as the Merit Order Effect.

The company reports lower demand for grid supplied electricity and the growth of wind and solar reduced wholesale electricity prices during the first quarter a whopping 30%-60% to $25-30/MWh in all eastern states except Tasmania.

However, EnergyQuest points out retail electricity prices jumped in all eastern capital cities during first quarter of this year, ranging from a 5.4% increase in Melbourne at the low end to 17.9% in Adelaide.

June 2, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | South Australia, wind | South Australia, wind

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1.This month.

The Road to War brings a sharp focus to why it is not in Australia’s best interest to be dragged into a war with China which will almost inevitably go nuclear very quickly. The filmmaker has interviewed some of Australia’s senior foreign policy analysts who have vast experience behind them in analysing what really is going on here as the United States rattles its sabres with China. And sets us up to be its proxy, like the poor Ukranians have been fed into the Meatgrinder. So America can remain the Top Dog. The Road to War reveals how the United States through its spy base at Pine Gap and by stationing six nuclear capable B52 bombers in the Top End (without permission from the traditional owners) is making Australia a prime nuclear target if the current war of words suddenly melts down into full scale war.

The Road to War shows the implicit connection between Carbon emissions (the US military uses a whopping 70% of America’s annual petroleum to move its armies and vast War Machine around the globe to its 800+ military bases..but under a loophole wangled at Kyoto, the US military does not have to report its C02 annual emissions). The Road to War starts screening at selected cities and regional centres in March. See the trailer end for details.

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