777 replies to this topic

[sebberry]

Just get on with thorium already.

[dkuitu]

https://www.theguard...-nuclear-fusion

 

Anyone aware of this? First time an experiment has had a net gain on energy with fusion. Now they just need to sustain it, and scale it up. So we're still probably 15 years out. Still good news though.

[Matt R.]

Lame. Get Elon on the file. Or the truckers.

Or VW, they have lots of great ideas.

[Mike K.]

So much for that.

Ontario is now pursuing plans for a major increase in nuclear power: https://nationalpost...-nuclear-plants

Didn’t they already spend billions over there on renewable energy?

[Mike K.]

Oh yeah, they did:

The former Liberal government faced widespread anger over high hydro bills — highlighted often by the Progressive Conservatives, then in Opposition — driven up in part by long-term contracts at above-market rates with clean power producers secured to spur a green energy transition.

[Ismo07]

So much for that.

Ontario is now pursuing plans for a major increase in nuclear power: https://nationalpost...-nuclear-plants

Didn’t they already spend billions over there on renewable energy?

 

The answer to energy will never be one certain way...  This increase in nuclear is to reduce natural gas use right?

[Mike K.]

Right, that’s what I’ve been saying all along. Diversification is key.

I’m just not sure if nuclear power is a long-term solution. At its worst end, it’s a very bad solution. If all goes well, it’s great. More reliable than wind, probably.

[Victoria Watcher]

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Edited by Victoria Watcher, 03 March 2023 - 03:50 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

William Creek, Australia  – a town about nine hours north of the city of Adelaide – has made the shift from diesel generation to solar, in a move that has slashed the town’s energy costs with no capital outlay. At the gateway to the Simpson Desert, William Creek has a population of just 50, but it hosts approximately 26,000 tourists each year. Previously the town was 100% reliant on diesel generation, but is now powered by a 200 kW ground-mounted solar array coupled with a 280 kWh battery energy storage system.

 

Juice Capital, which financed the project as part of a long-term commercial power purchase agreement (PPA), said the off-grid system, which went live in November 2022, has supported in the town’s ambition to be self-sufficient and sustainable while significantly reducing its power bill. Juice Capital Commercial Sales Manager Dan Howard said the town’s previous diesel-generated power was priced at approximately AUD 1.20 ($0.81) per kilowatt-hour. Now the town purchases its electricity for $0.287 per kilowatt-hour.

 

 

 

“We are really proud of this project as it has bridged a gap between the outback and grid-connected towns,” he said. “Communities like William Creek have been left to fend for themselves when it comes to delivering their own energy. To power a town like this using only diesel was expensive. They now have an option.”

 

 

https://www.pv-magaz...ustralian-town/

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 March 2023 - 05:32 AM.

[Ismo07]

 

William Creek, Australia  – a town about nine hours north of the city of Adelaide – has made the shift from diesel generation to solar, in a move that has slashed the town’s energy costs with no capital outlay. At the gateway to the Simpson Desert, William Creek has a population of just 50, but it hosts approximately 26,000 tourists each year. Previously the town was 100% reliant on diesel generation, but is now powered by a 200 kW ground-mounted solar array coupled with a 280 kWh battery energy storage system.

 

Juice Capital, which financed the project as part of a long-term commercial power purchase agreement (PPA), said the off-grid system, which went live in November 2022, has supported in the town’s ambition to be self-sufficient and sustainable while significantly reducing its power bill. Juice Capital Commercial Sales Manager Dan Howard said the town’s previous diesel-generated power was priced at approximately AUD 1.20 ($0.81) per kilowatt-hour. Now the town purchases its electricity for $0.287 per kilowatt-hour.

 

“We are really proud of this project as it has bridged a gap between the outback and grid-connected towns,” he said. “Communities like William Creek have been left to fend for themselves when it comes to delivering their own energy. To power a town like this using only diesel was expensive. They now have an option.”

 

 

So Juice Capital built and installed, presumably on town land, then just charges for the electricity...  Interesting...

Edited by Ismo07, 09 March 2023 - 09:01 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Now that’s probably a very sunny place. Not sure the return can be as good other places.

[Ismo07]

Now that’s probably a very sunny place. Not sure the return can be as good other places.

 

 

A lot of sunny spots around there though.  Expansion viable?

[Victoria Watcher]

I think Adelaide itself goes long stretches on only renewables.



In just over 15 years South Australia's electricity mix has shifted from below 1% renewables to almost 70% of energy generated by wind and solar, supported by innovative battery storage technologies and gas. By 2025-26 the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasts this could rise to approximately 85%.

https://www.safa.sa....vernance/energy


South Australia is one of few places in the world able to meet its total energy demands using renewable energy. In 2021, South Australia met 100% of its operational demand from renewable resources on 180 days.


They got the wind and the sun. Plus battery storage.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 March 2023 - 09:15 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Indigenous communities leading Canada's clean energy boom

 

CALGARY — On a wintry day last November, Daphne Kay looked up at an expanse of gleaming solar panels located on Cowessess First Nation reserve land just east of Reginaand cried.

 

https://halifax.city...gy-boom-6723858

 

Cowessess' $21-million Awasis solar project connects to Saskatchewan's electricity grid and is capable of powering 2,500 homes annually, on average. Over its 35-year estimatedlife, the solar farm is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 350,000 tonnes — in total, equivalent to the emissions of over 70,000 gas-powered cars driven for one year.

 

 

 

 

The power generated by the plant will be sold to SaskPower for the next 20 years as part of a power purchase agreement.

"This project is going to bring 20 years of economic prosperity," Delorme said. 

 

_________________________

 

The federal government provided $18.5 million to Awasis for the project, allowing Cowessess to partner with companies like Elemental Energy. 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...nning-1.6646896

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 March 2023 - 06:30 AM.

[Mike K.]

Solar panels just went up:

Cowessess' $21-million Awasis solar project connects to Saskatchewan's electricity grid and is capable of powering 2,500 homes annually, on average. Over its 35-year estimated life…

And they’re already talking about 35 year averages, before a single full year of operations can create a baseline. The only averages we know, is it cost $21 million, and will power 2,500 homes (no idea what type of homes), at an average cost of $8,400 per home, not including panel maintenance costs, replacements, breakdowns, and whether 35 years is sincere or just a shot in the dark (we have no idea how long these panels will actually last). Saskpower, or course, is playing along, but only for 20 years. That leaves us with another 15.

[Victoria Watcher]

Solar panels just went up:



And they’re already talking about 35 year averages. The only averages we know, is it cost $21 million, and will power 2,500 homes (no idea what type of homes), at an average cost of $8,400 per home, not including panel maintenance costs, replacements, breakdowns, and whether 35 years is sincere or just a shot in the dark (we have no idea how long these panels will actually last). Saskpower, or course, is playing along, but only for 20 years. That leaves us with another 15.

 

 

I also cannot find how much SaskPower has agreed to pay for the energy.  That might be protected information.

 

But taxpayers paid at least $18.5 million for the operation.

 

If all the numbers made economic sense, I would image power companies would just buy or lease land and build their own solar farms.  But it's not economical, short of subsidies and government money.

 

So it's a big shell game, and taxpayers are the biggest loser.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 March 2023 - 06:36 AM.

[Mike K.]

And it should be at least mentioned by the CBC that this industry is dependent wholly on the taxpayer to subsidize. Instead, they write a piece about a “revolution.”

[Nparker]

The CBC is wholly dependent on the taxpayer. To them, that's the natural order of things.

[Mike K.]

Yes, no concept of reality in a piece like this. It’s just a press release for all involved. They don’t even define what a “home” means, whether it’s a studio condo or a four bedroom 2.5 floor house.

[Victoria Watcher]

The first article I posted talked up how great it was that this First Nation was developing this plan on their own.

It’s only after more research I discovered that $18.5 million of the $21 million project cost was gifted to them. They would likely have no trouble borrowing the rest, against their 20-year power sales contract.

I guess you could say that’s “leading” as the first article headline states.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 March 2023 - 07:19 AM.