“No way” anyone will fund new coal plants under NEG, says Schott. It puzzles me what Dr Schott thinks will happen to prices and reliability if we allow deterioration and shutdowns of our existing coal fired fleet. Here are average AEMO prices for the last 12 months in order of greatest percentage of coal fired installed capacity.
Qld $74.29 – NSW $81.93 – Vic $95.04 – SA $100.92 – Tas $92.06
Victoria was close in price to Qld and NSW in 2013 to 2016 (at ~$50 or under) before the disruptions of Port Augusta and Hazelwood coal fired shutdowns. Is there a pathway to holding prices at current levels and having 365/24/7 reliable power if we progressively shut down the coal units?
Obviously wind is not reliable, best locations are used and NIMBY’s oppose new projects.
Solar PV is only daytime.
Solar thermal is ten years away says ARENA, probably never never.
Gas has greater upside price risk than coal and NIMBY’s oppose new plants.
Hydro is a bit player and NIMBY’s oppose new everything.
Nuclear is a political no-no.
Is their any rational way ahead without coal?
via Errors in IPCC climate science
May 11, 2018 at 02:39AM
Iowa Climate Science Education 