Renewable energy supplied a record 80.4{0931a9b6576c5d87fe846c236d3725957ace4ff7894c2ecd00b9029ccfe6a5f9} of electricity demand on Australia’s main power grid on Saturday, marking a new high for solar and wind generation.
Rooftop solar provided more than half of the electricity being used for about 30 minutes around lunchtime. The National Electricity Market covers the eastern states, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Utility-scale solar and wind farms added to the rooftop generation, while hydro contributed about 1{0931a9b6576c5d87fe846c236d3725957ace4ff7894c2ecd00b9029ccfe6a5f9}. Coal and gas together supplied the remaining 20{0931a9b6576c5d87fe846c236d3725957ace4ff7894c2ecd00b9029ccfe6a5f9} of demand during the period.
The record came during clear sunny weather and relatively low demand for heating and cooling. Energy systems researcher Dr Dylan McConnell from the University of New South Wales said the conditions were part of a period of unusually strong renewable generation and suggested similar records could be broken again soon.
Some renewable electricity was not used because supply exceeded demand at times. Excess power was stored in pumped-hydro facilities and batteries, while some generation was curtailed because of system-security requirements, network constraints and low prices.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the milestone showed more clean energy was being used to power Australian homes and businesses. He also said further records were likely as the energy transition continued.
The latest figure is a short-term grid milestone rather than a measure of Australia’s annual emissions. The average renewable share for the year to June was 44{0931a9b6576c5d87fe846c236d3725957ace4ff7894c2ecd00b9029ccfe6a5f9}, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator, while more than 4.3 million Australian households now have rooftop solar.
The record also comes as questions remain about the pace of new investment needed for Australia to reach its 82{0931a9b6576c5d87fe846c236d3725957ace4ff7894c2ecd00b9029ccfe6a5f9} renewable energy target by 2030. The latest analysis cited in the source article said additional generation capacity will be needed to meet that goal.
Source: The Guardian
