South Australia wind energy jumps to 43% in July

Posted by Big Gav in south australia, wind power

RNE has a look at the relentless penetration of wind energy into the South Australian grid - South Australia wind energy jumps to 43% in July.

South Australia’s wind farms produced enough electricity to meet a record 43 per cent of the state’s power needs during July, and on occasions during the month provided all the state’s electricity needs. ... Combined with the state’s 550MW of solar power, it is likely that nearly half of the state’s electricity demand came from variable renewable sources such as wind and solar – a record for a major developed economy.
Spain, for instance, this week, said that in July solar made up 8 per cent of its power supply, spread evenly between concentrated solar thermal and solar PV – while wind energy contributed 16.8% of the overall energy generation mix.
“With more than 40 per cent of the state’s power demand provided by wind energy for the entire month, it is clear that large amounts of renewable energy can be added to the system without the need for extra backup generation to be built,” Clean Energy Council acting Chief Executive Kane Thornton said in a statement.

2 comments

SP says 12:24 AM

Weren't there those in the past who made claims that this level of renewable energy was not possible as it made the system unstable?
I need reminding. Or do they?

Big Gav says 1:35 PM

You know as well as I do that those claims are always political (or borne of ignorance) rather than considered analysis.

For conservatives, everything is about preventing change to the social hierarchy (or intensifying the existing hierarchy).

Anything that doesn't further that goal is to be opposed by whatever means necessary.