New gas fired power station in NSW

[BradC]

Labor to unveil support for taxpayer-funded construction of gas-fired power station in the Hunter Valley, but it comes with a caveat - ABC News (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-31/labor-to-support-gas-fired-power-station-in-nsw-hunter-valley/100794252)

So let me get this straight. They're going to build a gas fired power station. One of those things that burns gas to create heat to spin a turbine which turns a generator and makes electricity. Gas in -> Electrons out.

Only the deal can go ahead on the basis that it uses electricity to generate hydrogen which then gets burned to create heat to spin a turbine which turns a generator and makes electricity. Lots of electrons in -> much fewer electrons out.

Has anyone actually done the thermodynamic calculations to figure out the end to end efficiency on this? Electrolysis of water is not exactly an energy efficient way to make hydrogen. Is there another way I'm not aware of yet that's "green"?

Surely the production and storage of hydrogen to then turn around and burn can't be anywhere near as efficient as pumped hydro for storage. Is this a case of "we've really stuffed up the grid and desperately need more dispatchable power but we'll only support it if it can be perceived as being green in some way even though that'll never actually work?"

[1984V8110]

I think you are correct. If one had a supply of Hydrogen then to make electricity you would surely run it through a fuel cell and get 2 to 3 times the electrical output per kg H2 than burning in a GT.

[ramblingboy42]

just a typical pre election stunt to get power station dinosuars on side with the Labor party.

[ramblingboy42]

the gas footprint is massive.....go out to Ballera and take a look at the plant required to deliver gas to just a few pipelines.

I was there through the construction and commissioning phases and it took approx 18mths with 3 cycling crews of around 350 tradesmen to build it.

If a gas fired power station was to be built , huge pipeline from somewhere has to be built. It needs huge water cooling....where from?

The only difference between coal and gas fired power stations is the fuel source. If it's coal it needs a mine in close proximity , if gas , a pipeline has to be run.

From the back door they are very similar, huge amounts of heat must turn water into steam at critical temperatures in huge boilers to drive the turbines then must be cooled down past the turbines , with more water.....thats what those great big conical towers are for.

Now....if we put the same investment into pumped hydro assisted by wind/solar generation , we can have perpetual , self funding power generation , without the fuel and heat and water loss.

Isn't that a win win situation for everybody. Notice I said self funding , not free. You will still have to pay infrastructure costs in your power bill.