Renewables generated more electricity than brown coal over summer, report finds

LONDON -

Renewable energy generated more electricity than brown coal during Australia’s summer for the first time in 2017-18, according to a new report by Green Energy Markets.

Continued growth in solar pushed renewable generation in Australia to just under 10,000 gigawatt hours between December 2017 and February 2018. With the Hazelwood plant knocked out of the system last year, brown coal’s output in the same period was just over 9,100 GWh.

Renewables produced 40% more than gas over the period and was exceeded only by black coal.

#google#

The report, commissioned by GetUp, found renewables were generating particularly large amounts of electricity when it was most needed, producing 32% more than brown coal during summer between 11am and 7pm, when demand peaks.

 

Coal in decline: an energy industry on life support

Solar in particular was working to support the system, on average producing more than Hazelwood was capable of producing between 9am and 5pm.

A further 5,000 megawatts of large-scale renewables projects was under construction in February, supporting 17,445 jobs.

GetUp’s campaign director, Miriam Lyons, said the latest renewable energy index showed renewables were keeping the lights on while coal became increasingly unreliable.

“Over summer renewables kept houses cool and lights on during peak demand times when people needed electricity most,” Lyons said. “Meanwhile dirty old coal plants are becoming increasingly unreliable in the heat.

“These ageing clunkers failed 36 times over summer.

“Clean energy rescued people from blackouts this summer. When the clapped-out Loy Yang coal plant tripped, South Australia’s giant Tesla battery reacted in milliseconds to keep the power on.

“It’s clear that a smart electricity grid based on a combination of renewable energy and storage is the best way to deliver clean, affordable energy for all Australians.”

Related News

nissan leaf discount

San Diego utility offers $10,000 off Nissan Leaf, BMW i3 electric cars

SAN DIEGO - For southern California residents, it's an excellent time to start considering the purchase of a BMW i3 or Nissan Leaf electric car.

San Diego Gas & Electric has joined a host of other utility companies in the state in offering incentives towards the purchase of an i3 or a Leaf.

In total, the incentives slash $10,000 from the purchase price of either electric car, and an annual $200 credit to reduce the buyer's electricity bill is included through the EV Climate Credit program.

SDG&E's incentives may be enough to sway some customers into either electric car, but there's better news:…

READ MORE
EVs lined up charging

Sparking change: what Tesla's Model 3 could mean for electric utilities

READ MORE

coal train

Coal comeback unlikely after Paris climate pact withdrawal, says utility CEO

READ MORE

Dirty Wind and solar power

Clean energy's dirty secret

READ MORE

Clean energy stored

Clean energy stored in electric vehicles to power buildings

READ MORE