After warning Queensland residents of possible blackouts, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has said it is using its powers to run power generators to prevent shortages.
Key points:
- AEMO energy price cap saw power generators reduce their power supply to the market
- But the AEMO has ordered generators to provide enough power generation to cover the deficit
- Residents are asked to be “thoughtful” about their use of electricity, as the power supply is tight.
The AEMO had issued a “lack of reservation” forecast for Monday afternoon and evening, meaning that forecast demand is likely to exceed supply in Queensland.
But in a statement issued at 5:20 p.m., he said he had invoked his powers under the National Electricity Standards (NER) and efforts had “provided enough generation to cover the lack of a reserve deficit 3”.
AEMO said it would “continue to monitor closely the conditions of bookings in Queensland and, more broadly, the NEM (National Energy Market), providing more updates in case conditions change.”
Earlier, Queenslanders were told they could handle the download from 5pm to 8.30pm.
The AEMO had said that if demand exceeded what was being generated, the load drop could have been used as a last resort.
In a statement, the AEMO said the rise in energy prices on Sunday had sparked an energy price cap, limiting the wholesale price of energy to $ 300 per megawatt hour.
“As a result, the available offerings from generators were reduced, contributing to a projected supply deficit,” the AEMO said.
AEMO said the market will be notified when the energy price cap is raised.
A “reflective” use of energy is required
Powerlink Queensland CEO Paul Simshauser said the shortage was caused by a combination of events, such as colder weather, which increased electricity consumption “more than average forecasts”.
“From a supply point of view, there are a number of generators that are doing routine maintenance, but there are also a couple that are in emergency maintenance,” Simshauser said.
He said there were up to seven offline generators.
“It’s not uncommon to have three or four generators during this time of year, but we’re a little more in number of maintenance,” he said.
He said the power supply was expected to be adjusted over the next few days until more generators were back online.
“The combination of directions that are at stake right now will hopefully ensure that demand is really met,” he said.
When the electrical system was adjusted, Mr. Simshauser asked residents to be “thoughtful” about their use of electricity.
“We’re really only talking about two or three hours at most in the afternoon, so around 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and only in the morning,” he said.
Households can manage their electricity consumption by:
- considering the number of rooms that are heated with air conditioners
- turn off computers, televisions, and other appliances in standby mode
- turning off the pool pumps and second refrigerators
Commercial companies can manage their electricity use by:
- taking into account the amount of indoor and advertising lighting used
- turn off water heating systems and urns, except for the preparation and cleaning of food and beverages
- turn off advertising lighting and any unnecessary outdoor lighting
Source: Powerlink
Mr Simshauser said the rotating load drop was unlikely as “now the right generators are switched on at the right time”.
“If there are more mechanical breakdowns in any of our coal or gas generators, it is clear that this could change circumstances,” he said.
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Dr. Liam Wagner, an associate professor of energy economics at the University of Adelaide, said a shortage of supplies was a real concern.
“This has broader implications for system stability and security of electricity supply in the Eastern market,” he said.
He said that if not managed properly, the blackouts could affect other states in the national energy grid.
“If there were sudden disruptions of large coal generators, we could see several states turn black,” Dr. Wagner said.
Posted 5 hours, 5 hours ago, Monday, June 13, 2022 at 6:03 AM, updated 5 minutes ago, 5 minutes ago, Monday, June 13, 2022 at 11:11 AM