Aidan,

'Outhouse ' polite-speak for 's..thouse', which is unacceptable on OLO, and I don't like using abbreviations. Yes. I do have evidence of the closures, as you would if you were the researcher you claim to be.

Nothing new for today. I hope there is nothing wrong with Graham&Co, or that contributors have been put off by some of the remarks made to them.

Aidan,

At the time of the black out not all lines were down. AEMO report is clear, the network collapsed when the interconnectors openned, at which point Port Augusta was not completely islanded from Adelaide. 200 MW of Base load generation here might very well been enough to keep the interconnectors in play until load shedding could have balanced the load and allowed a controlled ramp down instead of a collapse.

Craig,

I've avoided pointing out your factoids sprinkled with BS because of your minimalistic understanding of electrical engineering and your failure to read the report to which I referred. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Your attacks on me are completely unsubstantiated which I assume is because the subject is beyond your grasp.

To clear up some of your whoppers:

- a 30 degree phase angle would give a power factor of 0.87 and reduce the transmission lines capacity by about 15% while increasing losses by about 30%. The closer the power factor is to unity the better.

- When supply on the SA side dropped below demand, the remaining generators for a short time (seconds) can supply the additional power from the inertia of the turbines, which slows the generators, and eventually the phase angle differs too far between ends of the interconnector and the interconnector trips.

-IGBTs have been in use for the vast majority of AC variable speed drives installed since the 90s, and while there are new technologies being developed, IGBTs will dominate probably dominate for at least another decade, while thyristors and GTOs are predominately used for DC which is fading into obsolescence.

Shadow Minister, of course you must be right, after all, you said so...

On the first point, I suggest you look up how 3 phase systems work before you embarrass yourself further. Alternatively, take my word for it and save yourself the time.

Well done on getting the explanation of why the system tripped right though. Where did you crib that from?

I have no idea whether you're right about the third point, I have already said I wasn't familiar with that technology.

In all seriousness matey, you're not doing your reputation any good, but then, it would be hard to do it much harm at this stage...

Here you go, shadow Minister, a pretty straightforward explanation of balanced 3 phase systems.

http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/electrical/courses/power/notes/three_phase.xml

Craig,

Point 1. Are you trying to look like an imbecile, 'cause you're doing it very well. Try reading this otherwise you have no hope of qualifying as an electrical engineer.

http://www.schneider-electric.com.au/documents/electrical-distribution/en/local/electrical-installation-guide/EIG-L-power-factor-harmonic.pdf

Point 2. I read the report with the timeline, which you clearly didn't otherwise you wouldn't have made such dumbass remarks. I also understand the physics behind it which clearly you don't.

Point 3. An electrical engineer that hasn't heard of IGBTs is like a teenage girl that hasn't heard of iphones.