I think the battery deal is not what a lot of people think it is.
One of the criticisms of the SA system was that the windfarms were not
"stiff"enough or had enough momentum to enable them to sync to the interconnector.
The battery would only be needed for perhaps 10 minutes or so until
everything was up and running.

However upgrading the Snowy scheme is a different thing all together.
It would be a very valuable addition. It could be brought into action
if the wind suddenly dropped anywhere and might even be useful when
the whole east coast has a month like we have had here with no or
little solar power. Also it could supply for weeks. Even at night
it could be topped up when demand was low.

The people on the Insiders were raving on this morning showing their
ignorance of what it is all about. This is typical of almost all the
commentary that is presented to us.
They all agree that natural gas is a transition fuel but never
suggest what might be used when it runs out.
Doog still has not suggested might be used.
Lots of airy fairy schemes some of which might just work but someone
has to put a lot of money up and will want to put it into something they know works.

power

I don't care about the source of energy, but rather about its centrality. Batteries are good because they help individual states to become independent, whereas schemes like the Snowy are bad because they increase the dependence of states on Canberra.

If one day South Australia decides to have policies that are diametrically opposed to the commonwealth, perhaps even to secede altogether, having its independent energy can prevent the central regime from cutting off its power-supply in retaliation.

To cut supply from the east is certainly on the cards.. The interconnect or has a shipload of troubles and no where near perfect.. The NEM know it but do nothing..
How long will it take to dig a 27km tunnel and power stations..
Any drongo can see SA does not any assurances about anything..
Wind and solar will complete the every need we need.
The eastern states had 20 years notice of SA running out of coal.. So what did the NEM do about it.. Nought.
Good on SA for showing some courage and leadership in doing something about it.

Yuyutsu, batteries in a grid have a purpose but not as backup in any form.
Their capacity is too limited and their cost is too high.
Sth Aus's battery would keep the state going for about three minutes.
BTW, you cannot use the full capacity of the batteries as they would
deteriorate very quickly and have to be replaced. You might only get
70% of their capacity.

What the government is proposing for the Snowy is an extension of
what it does now.
It will help all states so it is fair that the commonwealth puts up the dough.
It is not a fix for SA's problem it is a long term project.
There is no solution for their present problem.
Once Hazlewood closes, if it does, things will be tight.
You just cannot remove the biggest generator from the system and
expect all to sail on no worries she'll be right mate !
It will get a lot worse when Liddel closes. Perhaps someone will
thump a politician or two and drive some sense into them.

Doog the interconnectors can have as much capacity as needed.
If losses worry some, then up the voltage. Another few hundred
million will give SA all they need, but then you seem to be one of
the fairy tale believers in 100% solar & wind.

No Doog the greens wanted the coal stations closed no matter what.
So they arranged the priority for the wind and solar and destroyed
the finances of the coal stations, so they quit.
Even if the government ran them they would either drive the govt broke
or you would not be able to pay your electricity bill.
The Greens and labour just stood around and watched them close and
cheered.

Why does Nero come to mind ?

Dear Bazz,

Thank you for the information: I am certainly not an expert regarding electrical energy and storage. So you say that batteries don't work: what you say seems to contradict what others here are saying and it's not for me to tell who is correct here.

I think that still, it's a good thing if people can be told say half an hour in advance before power is cut to save their files and shutdown their computers in an orderly fashion to prevent damage to their files, also to avoid elevators. Alternately, people can be asked in time to turn off air-conditioners and similar guzzlers so that power can continue for smaller appliances.

I am more than happy with coal, or nuclear or whatever else can generate power locally, except for wind because of the noise - unless it's very far from any homes. What I am unhappy with is the long-distance interconnects which tie the states of Australia to each other and can enslave them to the central regime, that besides the wastage of carrying electricity over long distances and the increased danger of weather and similar events cutting off that supply somewhere along that distance.

These greens must be a powerful body .. They seem to have untold powers according to some. I think that is all b..s. Hazel wood is the biggest polluter ever it's old and outdated ,and unrecoverable. The state wanted to buy hazel wood years ago and shut it down they got outbid by the frog lot..
I think your idea of a battery is what's in a car.. You best ask tesla about that.