Aidan,

The pricing of electricity is completely independent of whether the network or power stations are independently or privately owned.

The network buys power from the producers with a certain amount based on contracted prices and the rest (about 50%) based on the spot prices, where the spot prices are based on bids for power in 10 minute segments. The power generators typically submit graded bids with small amounts at $0 (for coal generators to keep the turbines ticking over) and increasing as the cost of putting more power on line increases, (gas turbines are far more expensive and only kick in at peak demands). The higher the deficit in demand, the higher the peak prices.

The peak demand periods normally occur between 5pm and 8pm, and if there no wind, there is virtually no renewable power available, and the deficit is huge, with power prices spiking to levels never seen before.

As I said previously, the prices are impacted in 3 ways:
- Subsidies this increases household costs by 10% and large users by much more.
- Networks have to be expanded to reach new generation sites. Note that these networks have to be designed for 100% capacity when renewables supply on average 30% or less.
- Cheap coal and gas cogen baseload generators trying to load match with renewables increases their cost and reduces their output. This generally leads to their closure.

Just look at this basic comparison:

http://www.euanmearns.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/europeelectricprice.png

You are drawing a long bow to say all wind turbines stop simultaneously. Even the sun shines somewhere. Location and elevation is as very diverse.

Now children behave yourselves.
Too much squabbling and not enough solutions.

Now I will throw a brick in.
South Aus will never get that connector to NSW.
Why ?; Well a week or a bit ago NSW got to 99% of its generating capacity.
It the started sucking power from Queensland and Victoria.
Now what will happen when Hazlewood closes in March ?
Next summer we should find out.

ttbn,
"This is 'proof' of your claim?"
No, it's a reference to ill health caused by coal power production at Port Augusta. Which is exactly what you asked for.

There's obviously a huge difference in the way we think. Unlike you I don't go around wherever I'm led saying "Baaa, baaa!" – instead I look for evidence and explanations. And where the observed effects are consistent with the theoretical outcome, I presume it to be true in the absence of any credible alternative hypothesis.

Getting compensation for air pollution is notoriously difficult. Did they ever manage it after the Hazelwood fire? I know Morwell residents considered a class action, but nothing seems to have come of it. Anyway, Port Augusta residents didn't want compensation; they wanted the power station closed. And it was, though the dust released by its demolition has created more problems.

_________________________________________________________________________________

simplesimon,

States in a federation are meant to help one another. Needing help is not evidence of failure.

Were SA an independent nation with its own currency, it could set its interest rates lower to ensure it got the investment it required. But being part of Australia, we can't do that, and the Federal government is failing to adequately compensate us for having interest rates too high.

Aidan,

So, the whole thing was a non-event. There is no evidence of deleterious health effects from coal-powered electricity in Port Augusta. I'm sure that there is no such evidence any where in the world where coal-fired power is used.

In other words, you were being mischievous, even untruthful.,

Bazz you forgot Tas again it does exist they have oodles of excess power now that it has rained. It's time to build that little dam down there that should have been done years ago. It's all to do with our changing climate, it even melts pylons Hasbeen said so and he would know, wouldn't he.