octave

That is pretty lucky for you. I would suggest that the majority of systems are on a much worse deal. The fact is that in early days of roof top solar the grid really needed as much as could get. Now there is more rooftop solar than often is required. This is where batteries or EVs come in. My electricity bills are kept low by utilizing solar electricity during the day. Dishwasher, washing machine, hot water are all scheduled for day time. Next year I intend to get an EV so my excess will go into the vehicle and also I can draw back with V2L. Back to your main point. Because I and most recent rooftop installations are only getting a few cents a kWh and have export limits I would suggest that these people are paying the network costs. If you are getting 50 cents a kWh then you are an example of the problem you illustrating.

Solar export limits "Solar export limits are caps placed by network distributors on the amount of excess solar electricity your rooftop system can send back to the grid, typically capped around 5kW per phase. These limits prevent grid overload, meaning any excess energy produced above the limit is capped or wasted rather than sold. Energy.gov.au +3 What Export Limits Mean for Your Solar System: System "Throttling": When your solar generation exceeds your home’s energy usage plus the allowed export limit, special equipment limits (curtails) your inverter, capping the output. Reduced Feed-in Tariffs: Since you cannot send as much electricity back, you receive lower credits for your solar energy, reducing your income. Increased Self-Consumption: These limits make it more economical to use solar energy directly (running appliances during the day) or to store it in a battery for later use, rather than exporting it. Approval Conditions: Many households must install this technology to get approval for larger solar installations. Flexible Exports: Some areas are moving to "flexible" limits, which allow higher exports during low-demand periods but lower exports when the network is congested, say local providers like AusNet and Essential Energy. Even with export limits, rooftop solar remains a strong investment for households to reduce electricity bills through self-consumption

Oh also nowadays there are export limits per month so it is quite difficult to sell enough kWh to negate network fees.

How do you figure that? The retailers are making a profit from my solar input. They buy it from me at 8 cents and sell it for 30 cents. Back when solar imports paid better sometimes I would get a negative bill. This would mean that the network fee would be zero. This does not mean it is not being paid for. In this case I would be paying for the network fee with kWhs which has a value. I am not getting connection to the grid for nothing.

I disagree. The retailer buys my excess kWhs for 8 cents and resells it for 30ish cents per kWh. Out of this I am guessing the retailer pays it's network expenses and reaps a profit.

Absolutely, I don't know how anyone consumes that volume of liquid. Give me 1 schooner of a cheeky extra hoppy IPA any day or perhaps a Sour beer in summer.

Obviously the fire was started by radical leftist EV owners seeking to overthrow the capitalist system....... or a faulty valve.

The 9 pints reference comes from a good friend of mine who teases (in a friendly way) for liking craft beer. He once said that the problem with craft beer was due to the intense flavours and the price he could not drink more than one or two. In time this became exaggerated and if he teased me I would accuse him of not liking craft beer because he couldn't manage 9 pints in one sitting. I don't know why 9 pints in particular but it just sounds right.

I don't know of any electricity retailers who only charge a kWh and not a network fee but I am happy to be enlightened. Certainly every retailer I have have looked at charges a network charge. If you have a battery and can supply all of your own power needs but are still connected to the grid as a backup then you are paying your fair share. If you are able to disconnect from the grid then why should you pay for a grid you don't use? If you have a house on tank water you should not have to pay water rates.

I think, unless you can go off-grid, you are still financially supporting the grid. My last bill comprised of for the net kWh I used $19.56. In addition to this, I also had to pay a Supply Charge of $28.16 and a membership fee of $14.72. It could be argued that someone who is managing their battery so as not to draw from the grid, but who is still connected and therefore paying fixed monthly fees is paying money whilst not actually using the services of the grid, except as a standby. I would suspect there would not be many suburban homes that actually go off the grid.

I think this has changed with the advent of craft beer pubs. My local before I moved was called "Two Birds Brewery" I heard the owners interviewed and they talked about how in this type of pub there were more female customers. Rather than being a down 9 pints type of place, there are now often a vast range of beers, and they tend not to be served onto a soggy bar towel. When at a new location, we always look for the local craft beer establishment, and usually we find a more or less equal gender balance. https://shedefined.com.au/international-womens-day/meet-the-women-breaking-the-gender-divide-in-the-beer-industry/

Indeed. I think back to the early eighties, when my most sophisticated means of communication was the humble telephone. A call interstate had to wait till Sunday evening, when it would be less expensive. If someone had told me that one day everyone would have a phone in their pocket that was also a powerful computer I would have had trouble believing them. Likewise, the idea that the majority of the world would be connected by this internet thingy would have seemed absurd. Technological development has not suddenly stopped. The rapid development of telecommunications systems over the last 20 to 30 years is an indicator of what is possible. There is no reason that the power grid we have today is the endpoint of technological development. It is all too easy to believe everything that can be done has been done.

You are not wrong there. I booked a flight from Avalon to Adelaide return for $108. There was an even cheaper option, one way for $44. I did book this before the fuel crisis, though. This is obscenely cheap.

I am by no means an expert in this, however, everything I read suggests that home batteries that are part of a VPP can help maintain grid frequency. Understanding the Types of Grid Support the Battery Provides When a home battery joins a VPP, it can play very different roles depending on what the grid needs. Some of the most common use cases today are described as follows. Frequency Regulation The electric grid must keep its alternating-current frequency within tight limits (in AU, around 50 Hz). If demand suddenly rises or a generator trips, frequency may drop. A battery participating in frequency regulation can respond almost instant, charging or discharging quickly to restore balance. Frequency regulation often commands relatively high compensation per unit of energy or service provided. Demand Response (DR) via Storage Demand response in AU/NZ refers to any action that reduces net demand on the grid during tight supply conditions or high-price periods, either by curtailing or shifting flexible loads, or by using behind-the-meter resources such as batteries so a site draws less electricity from the grid when called upon. Depending on the programs, homeowners get predictable compensation for simply being available, or the payment to homeowners in DR-type programs is typically linked to how much energy is saved or how much load power is reduced. https://www.franklinwh.com/au/blog/how-virtual-power-plants-are-changing-home-battery-use

Inverters don't contribute to the grid. Batteries help the grid because they smooth out peaks in consumption. There is a huge peak around the time people get home from work and cook dinner. Those people with their own batteries are helping by not contributing to this peak, and those who sell a portion of their stored electricity back to the grid are reducing the need to ramp up power stations or peaker plants. Most of the world is moving in this direction; can they all be wrong?

I am not quite clear what you are saying here, but here is my understanding of it. During the day I am using my own electricity. My excess is sold to the grid for a tiny 8 cents a kWh, which they resell for 30ish cents a kWh. I appreciate that I am using the network; however, I would expect that the large disparity between the price they by my KWh and the price they resell takes into account the cost of the network of this transaction.

In Europe, they are now doing what is called balconnny solar. It's pretty much plug and play, and renters can take it with them if they move. There are also other schemes, such as solar sharing schemes. These are in their infancy; however, but they are evolving as technology improves. Solar systems for apartment buildings Community Solar Banks Program The Australian Government’s Community Solar Banks Program is supporting the installation of shared solar and clean energy technology in apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings. The government’s investment will provide shared solar systems and help to lower electricity costs for up to 25,000 households. Shared community solar banks help households who can’t install their own systems. This will allow more households to benefit from renewable energy, including people who: rent their homes live in apartments can't afford to install their own system. The Australian Government is partnering with states and territories to deliver the program. To find out what support is available in your state or territory and how to apply, visit the Community Solar Banks Program page .

I understand that point, but it assumes the way we generate and distribute electricity can’t evolve. The old model—large central power stations feeding passive consumers—is already changing. The grid is becoming more dynamic, with energy coming from multiple sources. Households like mine don’t just draw from the grid—we also contribute to it. Over time, things like microgrids or suburb-level battery sharing could become part of that evolution. There’s also an energy security angle. A system that relies less on a few large power stations and more on distributed generation is generally more resilient—failures are less likely to cause widespread outages. Since installing my system, I’ve generated about 36 MWh of electricity. If that had come from coal, it would have required roughly 15–18 tonnes. That’s a significant amount of fuel avoided, even at the household level. I do recognise the tension: I still rely on the grid, and without a battery I’m exporting a lot of energy. But that just reinforces the point—the grid needs to adapt to a two-way flow of energy rather than a one-way model. In my case, I haven’t installed a battery yet because my usage is low and the payback period was around 20+ years. That said, batteries offer other benefits like backup during outages and helping stabilise the grid. My next step will likely be an EV with vehicle-to-load (V2L). That effectively gives me a battery I can use to store excess solar and provide backup power. More advanced options like V2H or V2G are still expensive, but even V2L starts to shift the model. I accept that this kind of change may disrupt traditional generators and retailers—but that’s not unusual. Energy systems have always evolved, and this is just the next stage.

untitles 522E modified2-1.mp4

Well, this isn't good. I live about 5km from here, luckily, so far the wind seems to be blowing away from us. This surely is not good, given the fuel situation.

If you are referring to the whole world, well, they are building more. Globally, pumped hydro has ~200 GW of installed capacity That represents the vast majority (over 90%) of long-duration energy storage Dozens of new projects are still being built each year So while individual schemes are large and relatively few compared to, say, solar farms, they are widespread and globally significant. 📍 Where are they? 🇨🇳 China (world leader) Largest total capacity (~50+ GW) Massive new projects like Fengning (one of the world’s biggest) Hundreds more under construction 👉 China uses pumped hydro heavily to stabilise its huge wind and solar buildout. 🇯🇵 Japan ~20+ GW installed One of the earliest adopters Built to balance nuclear and now renewables 🇺🇸 United States ~16–17 GW installed Famous example: Bath County (often called the “world’s largest battery”) 🇪🇺 Europe (widely distributed) Major countries: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain Example: Germany has multiple plants used for grid balancing Scotland hosts many of the UK’s biggest schemes 🇦🇺 Australia Existing: Shoalhaven scheme (NSW) Tasmanian hydro system Major new build: Snowy 2.0 (huge expansion project) 🌎 Other notable regions South America – Brazil and Chile expanding capacity India – growing fast to support solar Africa – early-stage development (e.g., South Africa) 👍 Are they successful? Short answer: Yes—very successful, but with caveats ✅ Strengths 1. Proven and reliable Technology has been used for 50+ years Extremely well understood and dependable 2. Grid stabilisation Acts like a giant battery: Stores excess power Releases it when needed 3. Long lifespan Often lasts 50–100 years (much longer than batteries) 4. Scale Can store huge amounts of energy (hours to days) ⚠️ Limitations 1. Geography matters Needs suitable elevation and water Not every location works economically 2. High upfront cost Big civil engineering projects (tunnels, dams) 3. Long build times Projects like Snowy 2.0 take years and can face delays 4. Environmental concerns Land use, water impacts, and community opposition 🤔 Big-picture takeaway Pumped hydro is not new or experimental—it’s the backbone of global energy storage. It’s especially valuable as countries add more wind and solar. While batteries are growing fast, pumped hydro still dominates for large-scale, long-duration storage. 🌍 How much is being built? Around 100+ GW of pumped hydro is already under construction globally The total development pipeline is enormous (~600 GW) Annual additions are rising and could double to ~16.5 GW per year by 2030 👉 That’s not a niche build-out—that’s a major global infrastructure push. 📍 Where is the construction happening? 🇨🇳 China (dominates the boom) By far the biggest builder 200+ GW under construction alone Adding multiple large plants every year 👉 China is essentially treating pumped hydro as core grid infrastructure for renewables. 🇮🇳 India & Asia-Pacific Rapid expansion to support solar growth New multi-GW projects announced (e.g. Maharashtra schemes) Strong growth across Asia-Pacific generally 🇪🇺 Europe Lots of medium-sized projects and upgrades Example: New plant in Norway (Illvatn) under construction Hybrid wind + pumped hydro projects (e.g. Crete) 👉 Europe is modernising older hydro + adding storage rather than building mega-dams. 🇺🇸 United States Several projects in development: Example: Seminoe (900 MW) Many more proposed—potential to more than double capacity 🇦🇺 Australia (your backyard) Active pipeline: Kidston (QLD) nearing completion Snowy 2.0 under construction Multiple NSW & QLD proposals ⚠️ But: Some projects have been delayed or cancelled due to cost blowouts or geology issues (e.g. Pioneer-Burdekin) 🌎 Other regions Spain: dozens of projects progressing (25 advancing in 2025 alone) Africa: early but accelerating growth South America: Chile & Brazil expanding 📈 Why the sudden surge? This is the key shift: 👉 Wind and solar are now cheap—but intermittent 👉 Grids need long-duration storage (hours to days) Pumped hydro is: Proven Long-lasting (50–100 years) Scalable to huge sizes That’s why it’s having what’s been described as a “renaissance” in energy systems Reality check (it’s not all smooth) Even though many are being built: ✔ What’s going well Strong government backing Clear role in renewable grids Massive scale possible ✖ What’s slowing things down Long build times (often 7–10 years) Cost overruns (common in big civil projects) Environmental approvals Site-specific risks (geology can kill projects)

Yes, I remember stamps with Magyar from my childhood stamp-collecting phase. According to AI: Magyar is a relatively common surname in Hungary, acting as an ethnic name that means "Hungarian". It is frequently found across the country, particularly in regions with mixed historical ethnicity. As a surname, it is sometimes the result of historical "Magyarization," where families changed foreign-sounding names to more patriotic ones. Key Facts About the Name "Magyar" Meaning: The word magyar is the autonym for Hungarians and means "Hungarian". Origin: The name stems from the ancient Megyer tribe, which was a dominant clan among the Hungarian tribes in the 9th century. Commonality: It is a common surname in Hungary. Related Names: Similar to other ethnic surnames in Hungary, such as Horváth (Croat) or Német (German). Distribution: Data shows high concentrations of individuals with the surname Magyar in areas like Budapest and regional centers such as Hajdúszoboszló and Kecskemét. While it means "Hungarian," it is important to note that the country itself is called Magyarország (literally "Land of the Magyars") by its inhabitants.

They do look like they are having some export success with a recent 5-year $8.4 million, so definitely a company to watch. Tindo signs five-year deal to export Australian made solar panels to Vietnam Major Export Markets Vietnam In June 2025, Tindo signed an $8.4 million, five-year deal with Thanh Do Australia to supply 15MW of solar panels for infrastructure and clean energy projects in Vietnam. This is the company's longest export agreement to date. Pacific Islands: Tindo panels are used for critical infrastructure in the South Pacific, including landing stations for the East Micronesia Cable in Nauru and Kiribati. They were selected specifically for their ability to withstand high humidity and cyclone conditions. India The company began shipping small orders to India as early as 2014, starting with demo systems for farms in regions like Hyderabad to test performance in hot, sunny climates. m

I did just discovered an Australian solar panel manufacturer called Tindo. I don't know anything about their prices, though. Apparently excellent quality but more expensive. According to AI, 20% to 30% more expensive

Yes, I think the problem is that evolution has left us with “an old brain in a new world.” We’re generally good at spotting and avoiding immediate threats, but much less effective at responding to dangers that build slowly over time. That said, it’s not all bad. Humans have learned an enormous amount about the world we live in. We can cure many diseases and even travel beyond our planet—at least short distances into space. Still, the instincts of our “old brain” are constantly competing with the demands of the modern world. You can see this on a personal level. Most of us know that being overweight, eating poorly, or drinking too much is harmful in the long run—yet many of us continue these behaviours anyway. We’re remarkably good at justifying choices that aren’t in our best interests. This ties into a broader, almost unsettling question. Life appears to exist widely across Earth, which suggests the universe should be teeming with advanced civilisations. Yet, so far, we’ve found nothing—at least in our corner of it. One possible explanation is the idea of “the Great Filter.” This theory proposes that as a civilisation develops, it encounters critical stages where it must either overcome a major challenge or collapse. Nuclear weapons could be one example: a point at which humanity might have destroyed itself. While that risk hasn’t disappeared, it does seem less immediate than it once did, and there are likely other challenges we’ve successfully navigated. It may be that most civilisations fail at one of these stages. If that’s the case, it’s possible we may have already progressed further than many others. If so—well done us.