nomadpete

Catering for brief system underutilisation does not equal overcapitalisation. The old capacitor banks are stoll doing their job. Old style mecanical system inertia (to maintain 50 cps system synchronisation) is now being replaced by fast electronic system synchronisation. I know which one is fastest to respond to sudden load changes. Hint:- not the old steam engines!

Such devices have been steadily installed throughout the grid, over the past 20 plus years. I was involved in commissioning some in Qld. It was originally done for phase correction back in the dayse before "alternative" energy. Advances in semiconductors has brought a newer, faster breed of active stabilisation. Barring some catastrophy, I doubt the grid is going to collapse anytime soon.

I object to Americanisation of Australian heads. We must immediately deport anybody seen wearing a baseball cap. Especially if they wear it backwards. America will be held accountable for all ear melanomas occuring in our great country. Thank you for attention to this matter.

Here is a map showing the grid and the major state interconnectors. These have been upgraded from time to time to meet demand. Media has made hysterical claims about 10,000k of grid required for renewable energy. However, most of this comes from progressive upgrades of existing transmission. IMHO it's a misrepresentation. The AEMO produce annual maps of planned grid development. Note that only a minority of the stuff on it is totally new pathways (land, towers,etc). Most is simply upgrading existing feeders. Eg most of the feeders on the second map (fromAEMO) are already there. Yes it costs to grow. It has always done so for the 40 years I was involved in the industry.

I disagree:- From Wiki:- "The NEM operates the world's longest interconnected power systems between Port Douglas, Queensland and Port Lincoln, South Australia with an end-to-end distance of more than 5000 kilometres, and 40,000 circuit kilometres" That is the east coast interconnecting grid at the moment. Sure there are segments that need reinforcing to cater for changes in demand, and extra bits will be added to bring new generators into the grid. So, the grid is there. It will continue to grow to meet the needs of the electricity market.

Scarey monsters! What will the fossil industry have to say about that?

Identity? WTF? National identity? WTF? Sort out your personal identity first. I will trust you relative to how you present yourself to me. We are all passengers on Planet Earth. Fussing about continental, political, or other levels of idrntity is trivial in the bigger scheme of things.

But you are the descendant of an immigrant, same as most of us.

Red, that's been my weather for the last 3 months. Sun 4 times a day, rainbows and rain 4 times a day . Today, same. Roll on summer!

The HV transmission is already there. The grid has been steadily growing and expanding for at least the last 50 years. Mostly due to the expanding population. Also to cater for power hungry mining/industry. EG, half a billion $ for 350km of grid solely to power coal seam gas pumps in western Qld. Capex is scoped for amortisation over long periods. Fear not, do not blame all grid expenditure on renewables. Yes, our Australian case is different from other countries. But the designers already know about those challenges. We will get there.

If I listen to the ranting of radio shock jocks long enough, I start ranting myself. Like the army shrink in 'Alices Resataurant'. These days there are social media 'influencers' doing the same stuff even more efficiently. It's not only coming from Merika.

Not only 3AW. When working, I spent long hours driving in regional and remote places. Sadly, too often the only commercial radio available was the infamous John Laws or Alan Jones. These chaps invariably irritated and annoyed me. I feel their long term (divisive, biased shock jock) influence remains, and might still influence voters.

The big problem that I see is lack of timely pumped storage. Queensland put in 600MW of pumped storage way back when the state gov't owned all generators. But since then none of subsequent governments want to spend on big social essential infrastructure. There has not been any more such projects. Hence we have a nationwide lack of energy storage. Rising prices are mostly a result of lack of proper planning and commitment by governments. Had they planned over the years, there would already be storage in place that would minimise the power generation gas bills. I give up. I am costing up a private solar plus battery. For me, it's an investment. Even if I die (or move) before it pays for itself, the resale value of the house will be higher. Meantime, I am insulating myself from the problem.

Oh dear. So, post Trump, when the political pendulum swings, will USA be condemned to many years of "well-meaning but ineffectual mess"? I fear I might not live long enough to see the end of the show!

Here's a random thought. If the USA collectively had half a brain, they would immediately support Ukraine bigtime in exchange for some of their weapons development. Otherwise the US weapons industry will lag far behind the rest of the world. Proven testing of missiles that utilise ground following flight at 40 mtrs altitude.... Proven testing of marine drones that make big submarines hardly necessary.... etc, etc.