Hasbeen,
"if you want to include hydro in your renewable, you had better give us an idea of where you are going to find both the water & the topography for it to be collected & run down hill."
The document I linked to on Monday gives some indication of topographical suitability. Regarding the water, many will get it from rivers. Some will get it from the sea. Rainfall may be sufficient for some, particularly in northern Australia.

?Then you are going to have to give an assurance that your fellow ratbag greenies won't demand this water won't be used for environmental flows,"
I don't control what demands they make, however it's likely future pumped hydro schemes will be off river, and because they'll use the same water over and over, their total consumption (lost to evaporation and seepage) will be low.

"... as so much of the Snowy water now is."
Too much of the Snowy's flow was diverted into the Murray, but now at last the need for environmental flows has been recognised. Has this had much effect on power generation.

"Even Tasmania ran out of water, when trying to make a buck selling "GREEN" power to Victoria."
As the carbon tax's abolition loomed, Tasmania sold more power than they other would have because they knew doing so would be more lucrative. But they overestimated the rainfall they'd get, and were left a bit short.

But the important thing about Tasmanian hydro is there's scope for changing the way it's used. Currently it generates power twenty four seven. But with more renewables (and more cable capacity across Bass Strait) more generation capacity can be added to produce more power when it's needed most, without having to increase the storage capacity. I think that's what they're calling Tassie 2.0.

Hope you're right about sunspots signalling a major cooling phase, as it will give us more time to deal with the problem. But the likelihood of it causing temperatures to fall is low, and the idea that if they did it would show GW to be a fraud is fanciful.

Bazz,
BTW forget EROEI - it's far less significant than you think. What counts is money returned on money invested, and that doesn't depend on EROEI being above an arbitrary factor.

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Belly, I used to wonder that. But thanks to this board, I now have an answer. However much the planet warms, they will (like Leo Lane) insist there has been no warming since 1998. They will continue to make the most outlandish claims and when confronted with the truth they will (like ttbn) continue to accuse their opponents of gullibility and pigheadness...

They won't be able to fool the general public any more, but thanks to rightwing echo chambers they'll still be able to keep each other fooled.

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Luciferase,
I was the one who mentioned Iceland in this thread, and I resent your disengenous accusation of disingenuity. When someone makes a sweeping statement, it is entirely appropriate to point out a counterexample.

Why can't someone mix a heap of different ideas together and create something good and cheap that works...

Tesla Turbine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYy3-BZ7n1Y&ytbChannel=null
Solar Powered Stirling Engine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfSTsPVSMyQ&ytbChannel=null

Turbulent 15kW low-head Hydropower Turbine
http://youtu.be/XiefORPamLU
Convert Washing Machine Into Water Powered Generator
http://youtu.be/0ieFZI4-6K8
World’s Smallest Hydropower Plant
http://youtu.be/iNuZaaJZd3w

This mornings SMH [will someone please tell me again how to post a link here] NSW liberal Government is interesting
It declares war on the federal governments policy on energy
While you are there may as well read the headline story about climate change
Both remain linked forever
Look ok I am ALP to the bone, but you have seen me go full on against it at times
Some seem to think I mine for anti coalition themes
MINE? you do not need to look they of late are like sea weed on the beach after a storm
I look forward to some one from that side telling us how they can rebuild

Hasbeen ttbn a lack of understanding is no defense if you claim understanding you do not have
Know a bit more about sun spots Hasbeen, the eleven year cycle can be 2o but only those clutching for straws would think it is about to get colder
Lets face it your belief that man made damage is not being done,is far more likely than a cold earth bought about by some thing you read in a comic book
recommend you read SMH story NSW Liberal government vs Feds?