Thread: Big storm and no power in SA

It is widely reported SA has the most expensive electricity in the country.
Well, it looks as though it may get even more expensive.
SA Power Networks' push to charge customers more prompts Energy Minister to seek advice - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Parts of SA went dark again last night. Where was the storm?
Blackout affects thousands in SA, blamed on supply loss in Victoria - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)


It would appear SA has a unhealthy reliance on Victorian coal fired electricity. This problem will become more obvious when Hazelwood closes.


Oh, and of note, the wind farms weren't generating much. Less than ten percent of capacity this morning.

Yep, the grids frequency took a dive when the interconnector tripped. They had to load shed to bring it back up. They dropped the Portland smelter too. Using over 200MW of power from VIC on a low demand day.

Things will get a lot worse yet I fear - I feel sorry for all those in SA that have to put up with the highest prices in the country for the most unreliable supply.

I'd be stomping someone's guts out if I was in charge over there. It's a complete mess.

Ye gods you outrage junkies crack me up with your constant yammering. Power was out in some parts of SA for an hour or three in the dead of night? YAAAARRRGGGHH!!11!!!!! Get a grip, the power network In SA is now more reliable than it was in the days of coal!

Vic network fault causes outages in South Australia, conservatives blame renewables : Renew Economy

Regardless of how unreliable Mexican power cables are, SA will continue to add alternative power supplies and storage, because educated people know that is what is required for a cleaner future.

The TRUTH is now coming out about what the closure of Hazlewood is going to cost ALL Victorians.
How much, you'll be amazed, (well that's one word for it).....I'll leave it to others to reveal the cost,...it was published in the Melbourne papers today,....I didn't buy the papers today,..I was informed of this via the Ch 10 news.
Pickles.

A fault in Victoria destabilised the SA 50 hertz power balance and caused load shedding. How is that in any way the fault of SA?

https://www.theguardian.com/australi...ralia-blackout

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

A fault in Victoria destabilised the SA 50 hertz power balance and caused load shedding. How is that in any way the fault of SA?

https://www.theguardian.com/australi...ralia-blackout

The 'destabilisation' as you call it is known as an overload...

Once the interconnecter tripped, the frequency drops as the remaining generation can't provide enough mechanical power to the generators, so they slow down. This then causes an automatic load shed of certain areas so the frequency can recover.

I'm not saying that part was the fault of SA, I was saying they were using 200MW of power from Vic on a low demand day - buying cheap, selling high rather than produce their own power - but remember they're still slugging the customers full whack for this.

My opinion stands - it's bad management that's got SA where it is with its power, and someone needs thier guts stomped out. If I lived in SA I'd be damned ticked off about what's going on.

It will get worse for them once Hazelwood closes - on peak demand days, Victoria will switch off the interconnecter, although they will give SA warning of this, it's doubdful the outcome will be any different.

Originally Posted by Homestar

...someone needs thier guts stomped out...

Hate speech from a moderator, metaphorical or not, what's next? And how would an act of brutality fix a problem traced back to successive administrations ceding control of the electricity grid to rapacious foreign corporations? Which is still happening, see WA's proposed plan to sell 51% of their assets to fund pork barreling.