nomadpete

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.

So that's not the spelling committee?

That's some serious riding, Jerry! Good onya.

So, since blind freddy can see that the MAGAts are unlikely to swing anything in the U.S. midterms, what do you think might be the next ploy?

Stolen from another forum. But i had to laugh.... "....allow your international underlings the occasional cackle at the fact that in your great nation, Donald Trump has now become president, twice. When you lot shit the bed, the whole world has to lie in it – so do at least have the delicacy to realise that once dignity has gone, a good laugh is how the rest of us get by. Come along and join us: you’ll like it if you try it." ...giggle.....

What? I am aghast! (Sp?) Unfknbeleeevable! Our most qualified and trusted IT/coder/computing expert is not a Apple adopter? No. I don't believe it.

I have seen pictures of deer, roo or donkey, etc that have gone straight through the windscreen. There are less complicated ways to prevent unwanted pedestrian or animal entry via windscreens. Way back, a friend bought a Citroen ID19. The bonnet didn't match the rest of the car. "Oh," said seller, "I hit a horse, it rolled up the bonnet and went over the roof!" The beast had deformed the bonnet but I think the roof is glassfibre so it just flexed. Personally, I have been hit by a car and my biggest fear at the time was that the driver predictably hit the brakes and as there is nothing on a windscreen to hold onto, I slid off the bonnet and nearly went under the vehicle. All these newfangled mechanisms are unlikely to prevent this.

Sounds very therapeutic Jerry. It's definitely improved your typing. And every time you mention CBT, I am seeing 'Cognitive Behaviour Therapy'.

I'd say the same about your motocross track..... that you call a driveway.

Attitude?

I believe some european vehicles (eg Volvo) have a front bumper bar airbag for this purpose. The plastic bumper drops and the airbag pops up.

Alternatively, we could possibly improve the driving culture. If motorists respected the safety of others, there would not be a need for these speed bumps. Basically when we get behind the wheel, we suddenly act like we are ALL great drivers, and we ALL know better than the experts who put up speed limits for proven good reasons. I know because I AM a great driver (not like youse cretins).

Hey at least Nigel never put 100% tariffs on us for.... anything.