6 votes

Keep calm and carry on: Managing electricity reliability

3 comments

  1. [2]
    edenist
    Link
    Great analysis as usual. Unfortunately it's never going to be articulated by the "moar coal powah" mouth-breathers. Distribution is such a critical component of the power grid which many people...

    Great analysis as usual. Unfortunately it's never going to be articulated by the "moar coal powah" mouth-breathers.

    Distribution is such a critical component of the power grid which many people simply fail to grasp. I also don't understand the backlash at the recent [rolling] blackouts. We need to more effectively manage the grid, and load shedding of heavy users is absolutely the best option on my opinion. A 2 hour rolling blackout period once per year at peak demand, while certainly not great, isn't that bad in my opinion. The alternative is maintaining a grid which operates at peak capacity for several hours per year... But then people complain about rising power prices...

    Either way, we should be solving these challenges by being smarter in the way we manage resources, and diversifying our sources. Combined with some solid legislation by government we can start to see some progress and investment in the area.

    3 votes
    1. Octofox
      Link Parent
      The main issue is that 2 hour blackout happens when its 50c outside and you are living in a literal hell for a few hours every year.

      The main issue is that 2 hour blackout happens when its 50c outside and you are living in a literal hell for a few hours every year.

      4 votes
  2. atl
    Link
    It doesn't get much domestic media attention, but the Australian Energy Market Operator is taking some very encouraging steps with the Virtual Power Plan (VPP) Demonstrator Program. If you're...

    It doesn't get much domestic media attention, but the Australian Energy Market Operator is taking some very encouraging steps with the Virtual Power Plan (VPP) Demonstrator Program. If you're interested in how the power grid can be made more reliable while concurrently avoiding many distribution-side capital expenditures to accommodate peak load, the VPP consultation paper is an interesting read.

    2 votes