Essays by Eric Worrall
Aussie Energy and Climate Secretary Chris Bowen is confident the grid will remain reliable when controllable generators are shut down, despite official reports warning that there are major problems.
Chris Bowen responds to AEMO report predicting energy shortage if not enough investment
Via ELLEN RANSLEYFEDERAL POLICY REPORT @RansleyEllen
NEWSLETTER NCA
9:55 a.m. February 21, 2023Chris Bowen sought to allay fears the east coast could exceed energy capacity by the end of the decade.
The Australian energy market regulator on Tuesday released an updated Power Opportunity Statement report warning of power supply shortages if renewable projects fall behind factory closures. fossil fuel.
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“Emergency and ongoing investment in renewable energy, long-term storage and transmission is needed to reliably meet the needs of Australian homes and businesses.”
But the Energy Secretary is optimistic that the government is working quickly to ensure clean, reliable energy is available to fill the gap left by decommissioned coal-fired stations.
“AEMO is correctly pointing out that there is still a lot of work to be done,” Mr. Bowen told ABC Radio.
“I mean, in nine months, have we closed any reliability gaps over the next decade? No, there’s more work to be done.
“Am I satisfied with what we did? Correct. Am I satisfied yet? ARE NOT.”
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The animated image at the top of the page is taken from the following video, in which Chris Bowen explains that we can store electricity like water.
The Australian Energy Market Operator’s warning that triggered this response was available here.
Based on Grattan Institute Energy director Tony Wood, in response to the AEMO alert, “What they’re trying to say is they need gas“.
It’s clear to anyone grasping the issue, that renewables and batteries have no hope of replacing decommissioned coal power plants, for any length of time needed.
In my opinion, betting on gas plants that will gladly replace coal plants that are about to be decommissioned, while a bit healthier than betting on renewables, is still an extremely optimistic view. mandarin. Australia is not a place where construction happens quickly, especially as construction companies hesitate to get big money out of the government.
Even if gas plants are built in time, where will the gas come from? Gas shortage on Australia’s East Coast is a big problemthanks to government hostility towards fracking.
What can I say? There’s a reason I have a large backup generator and a large, legally maintained private fuel supply.
All the waving in the world won’t save Australia’s electricity grid, if Bowen and his companions don’t start listening to people who can intelligently talk about technical issues. , instead of jumping in to dismiss concerns with meaningless words.
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