An investigation by consultancy EnergyQuest into the power production mix for sweltering Victoria and South Australia last week outlined the importance of being able to quickly ramp up gas-fired power capacity.
With maximum temperatures exceeding 40C for five consecutive days in both states last week, EnergyQuest found that total generation so far was 19% higher in Victoria and 32% higher in SA compared to their previous summer averages.
In terms of peak generation, this consumption was 67% higher in Victoria and 100% higher in SA last week compared to the peak weekly rate of summer 2013.
Out of the extra power needed for the peak demands last week, the consultancy found that 46% of Victoria’s extra electricity came from gas-generated power, 26% from coal and 28% from hydropower.
Interestingly, wind power was lower last week, meaning its contribution was calculated to be “minus 1%” while solar energy sources provided for 1% of the extra demand needed in Victoria.
For SA, coal-fired sources provided 2% of the additional power needed last week and gas-fired power accounted for an overwhelming 91%.
Wind power contributed for 5% of the extra loads required while solar power contributed just 1% – even though it produced 5% of SA’s electricity for last year’s summer.
EnergyQuest CEO Dr Graeme Bethune explained why solar/photovoltaic power didn’t soar during a heatwave.
“Solar PV generation was certainly higher in both Victoria and South Australia, by around 10% – and at a peak contributed 11% of power in South Australia and 5% in Victoria,” he said.
“However, overall, with limited installed capacity and low capacity use for much of the day, solar only contributed 1% of increased generation in both states.”
Despite the proven versatility of gas-fired power, Bethune said further investment in this type of generation was challenged by falling electricity demand and policies that favoured renewable energy.
“As a result, the development of new gas-fired generation on the east coast is at a standstill,” he said.
“The federal government’s review of renewable energy targets will also need to consider the role of gas in the power generation mix.”
