nomadpete

Regarding the feared approaching shortfall of electrical generation: I personally cannot see how a slow, uncertain construction and high cost solution (nuclear) can fill the expected fast arriving gap in generatin capacity. The problem, if it is as bad as is feared, will surely start showing up with rolling load shedding next year. None of the solutions (especially nuclear) can fill the gap in time. Maybe the problem is not as high a risk as we think? But then again, I am only a half informed forumite.

As I mentioned, the people skilled at these estimates have a proven track record of good accuracy. Over the period from ww2 until the last couple of years, both the grid and generator capacity has nicely kept just above the demand. This has been due to accurate predictions and timely planning. Australia has historically had less major blackouts than the USA. Recently, there has been dithering with planning. I ascribe that to political dithering by both major parties. Are the lobby groups responsible for this?

OME, I agree with all the above. However, the last sentence confuses me. In what way do you see subjectation being imposed?

I would expect that - after all, the stats do not report the amount of rooftop electricity that is directly consumed by households. The metering (well, mine anyway) only measures NET energy drawn from or fed to grid. It does not measure how much I consume directly from my rooftop panels. So the grid sees lower consumption.

Our collective guestimates are plagues by variables. Did anybody try to predict the uptake of private battery storage removing households from the grid? Or small community battery setups? As pointed out several postings, whatever power generation is used, the demand will always increase. Be aware that NEMCO and state grid operators generally have fairly accurate plans predicting demand and infrastructure requirements. Ten year plans that allow lead times for construction. In Qld they have kept ahead of demand by a comfortable margin. Grid and power stations. The knockers disparagingly called it 'gold plating'. Maybe these plans are being ignored by governments and media.

Not so. Costs of building new HV grid infrastructure have been consistently predictable for a long time. For instance:- Recent extending of Qld grid to Roma and beyond, to supply electricity for CSG pumps, came in on time and on budget. Approx 3yrs and approx $500 million, for hundreds of km of grid and more than 20 completely new substations. BTW note this 'investment' was to support a fossil fuel. Maybe when the gas runs dry, this grid can be used to feed solar farm energy from sunny semiderert, to Brisbane.

I just hope it wasn't black.....

My 2 cents..... Noise outside:- Standing beside a highway, I watched the traffic. I could not detect any difference in noise from EV's compared to liquid fuelled cars. Not scientific proof - just a subjective judgement. Noise inside:- I have only been in a Tesla, and then only as a passenger, half a dozen times (apart from a short ride in a Toyota Prius 15 years ago). It is not a totally silent ride. The silence is eerie at low speeds. At road speeds, the cabin noise is pretty similar to a ice car. But we are already accustomed to a ice car that has a cvt transmission. This does not produce the sudden noise/vibration change that manual or conventional automatic gearboxes create when doing a kickdown to accelerate. Overall it is definitely slightly quieter but for me that alone does not warrant a $50k expenditure. Ride:- The Tesla is definitely set up with 'sports' suspension. A firm ride as you would expect on a performance vehicle. I suspect this has nothing to do with it's weight nor its EV power. More likely it was designed to appeal to the knockers - it had to out perform the opposition ice cars in order to get accepted. The smooth power is easy to like. My daughter's Tesla has had two flat tyres. Teck screws from worksites. Each was replaced onsite by roadside assist at a cost of $70 each. Not much different from the tyres on an ice car. Most cars now have similar low profile tyres anyway. For now I am happy to continue using our 'old fashioned' cars until they are beyond economical repair (drive them into the ground). So I might never get around to owning an EV. I don't care either way. Infrastructure to recharge is pretty good in Tassie.

Housing shortage.... From the esteemed Betoota Advocate:- "Young Australians Probably Would Fight Overseas If They Still Got A Block Of Land In Maroubra Upon Return"

Aaah, of course. How United they are!

Wasn't he the bloke who sold off all the assets in Vic? So, how is all that privatisation working out?

The royal commission identified evidence that it considered was strong enough to potentially lay criminal charges, and sealed the relevany information for fear of prejudicing such court action. But so far there is no news of that getting followed through.

Thank goodness for our Anti Corruption Commission..... ABC headline:- "Anti-corruption watchdog decides not to pursue Robodebt corruption investigation" So there was nothing corrupt in that whole saga? Of course!

Scarey

The correct answer in my household is "Yes Dear"

But it isn't all that comforting to be one of USoA's friends, either.

Perhaps it is time to refer to MrT as "crooked Trump". Unlike Hilary, he really is a convicted crook.

Those algorithms are great at feeding everyone's personal echo chamber. The world might be a nicer place if the algorithms fed balace and thought provoking stuff.

Sad because I was looking forward to sharing a Wolfie or two but doubt I'll ever get to 'the old country'. If I was a betting man, my money was on you all falling in love with the finished reno and ending up staying there!

Would you do any better if you ran a book on what/when/if the heritage people approve of new windows or plaster or drains of trees.....

That is indeed good news.

That's a tough one to find a celebratory aspect of. Although I don't know her, I hope the business and the health works out well for her.

It's going to feel a lot more spacious when it's done.

Nah, whichever way I look at it, it still looks like a demolition site.

I don't resemble that remark!