Big storm and no power in SA

I can't believe you lot don't understand that between the giant industrial users and the domestic consumers lies a large pool of small and medium sized businesses. Tell your accountant that you've just knocked back a chance to earn thousands by turning off your a/c compressors or cool room chillers for a block of 15 to 30 minutes, see what he thinks of you as a manager.

An article in the latest Silicon Chip magazine claims that most new air conditioners already contain the boards to remotely control the load. No reason to believe that larger commercial units wouldn't contain similar boards, or be easily converted if needed. I know that many individuals are particularly resistant to doing without peak power, but what business would knock back the chance to earn money during a shortage instead of losing money due to unannounced load shedding?

Ah, I can just imagine the local Woolies and Coles on a 40C day turning off the aircon. NOT!

And of course that would be where the greatest potential savings could be made. I note the Woolies CEO was complaining about power prices last week at the food conference, as they are such big users for the fridges and aircon.
Regards Philip A

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Originally Posted by PhilipA

Ah, I can just imagine the local Woolies and Coles on a 40C day turning off the aircon. NOT!

And of course that would be where the greatest potential savings could be made. I note the Woolies CEO was complaining about power prices last week at the food conference, as they are such big users for the fridges and aircon.
Regards Philip A

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Which is why I can imagine the independent grocer next door making it a point of difference to the big 2. When peak wholesale price for power reaches $14 000/MWh then a temporary rise in air temp can be announced on the P.A. as a socially responsible thing to do, and leading a rush to the ice cream aisles as well.

Anyway, the company I named earlier claims it can swing a deal, probably because it's already done so elsewhere in the world. It remains to be seen how resistant Australian middle management is to cost cutting, i.e. staying in business. Wait and see.

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Originally Posted by Homestar

You guys haven't got smart meters already? If not I'd say they're on their way at some point - and it doesn't cost the utilities or government a cent as they charge the customers for them. ;). Ongoing costs to run them is minimal - and again, payed for by the consumer in increased power prices. That's what's happened right up the East coast, so I'd say you guys would be similar. That side of things is easy - convincing people to have their power turned off is the hard part - almost no one in Vic has signed up for this, it was a flop.

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current place has a digital meter, but no sim card or other network connectivity that I can see
my old place had spinning dials!

Smart inverters are already making a big difference to maximising the potential of battery storage. Premises can meet their own needs, export the surplus and, if the grid fails, draw down their own batteries to keep operating. What's not to like about that? You'd be negligent not to take advantage of this opportunity.
SolaX's New Smart Inverter Will Give Your Solar System Superpowers

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Smart inverters are already making a big difference to maximising the potential of battery storage. Premises can meet their own needs, export the surplus and, if the grid fails, draw down their own batteries to keep operating. What's not to like about that? You'd be negligent not to take advantage of this opportunity.
SolaX's New Smart Inverter Will Give Your Solar System Superpowers

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Yep, great stuff getting better each day. All you need is money.

Seeing the light that has been thrown on the SA situation, I think it is now unlikely that there will be widespread blackouts next summer.

In NSW I believe from news reports that two large generators were down for maintenance on the latest high demand day. Common sense should see essential maintenance being done in non peak times.

Although it has not been aired widely, I believe that this crisis is the result of the lessening of demand for electricity after 2007 . In NSW it seems that the government thought the demand outlook was benign, and therefore closed 2 power stations without replacing their capacity. Munmorah being a prime example

This is combined with the incredible demand for new housing in Sydney and practically ALL of these having aircon installed. IMHO it is extremely undesirable to live in Western Sydney without aircon, and of course inner city apartments also require aircon.
I really don't fear smart meters as I have trees not aircon. Although I find it ridiculous that the high cost times go for so long, making it desirable to run washing machines , dishwashers etc after 10PM, when I am usually in bed. I have friends who report that their use of smart meters has reduced their bills, although their recounting of what they have to do to save money is as above ridiculous. In any case I make sure that any new appliances I buy have timer start so at least I don't have to delay going to bed to turn them on.LOL.
Regards Philip A

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Smart inverters are already making a big difference to maximising the potential of battery storage. Premises can meet their own needs, export the surplus and, if the grid fails, draw down their own batteries to keep operating. What's not to like about that? You'd be negligent not to take advantage of this opportunity.
SolaX's New Smart Inverter Will Give Your Solar System Superpowers

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Let us know when you've installed yours. I expect to hear from you in a month or two.

You'll be waiting about two years.

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Originally Posted by PhilipA

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In any case I make sure that any new appliances I buy have timer start so at least I don't have to delay going to bed to turn them on.LOL.
Regards Philip A

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Is it true that with the changes in what you are paid for electricity you feed back into the grid from your solar panels, you are better off running appliances during the day so that you are using your own free electricity instead of having to buy it at night?