From Guest Blogger Jayde Ferguson: Diesel Generators Proving Key to Managing Australia’s Energy Crisis
Australia is experiencing a major energy crisis. Supply limitations and skyrocketing wholesale energy costs mean Federal and State governments are shelling out millions of dollars to keep ailing energy supply networks operating, while implementing emergency measures to sustain critical power supplies.
Governments, businesses and farming organisations are increasingly relying on diesel generators to ensure power supply and boost generation capacity in a steadily worsening energy crisis affecting the nation.
In February Australia’s electronic spy agency, Defence Signals Directorate, was forced to rely on diesel backup generators when the nation’s power supply came under intense pressure during a heatwave. Other agencies responsible for critical infrastructure have also relied on diesel back-up power to compensate for an unreliable power grid.
South Australian and Tasmanian governments are relying on diesel generators to boost their state’s power generation capacity after supply faults including the Basslink power interconnector failure and low hydro dam levels threatened power blackouts.
Irrigators and farmers in both South Australia and Queensland are buying diesel generators to secure their power supply as price and stability issues continue to plague their energy grids. Meanwhile manufacturing businesses are also seeking to secure their power supplies after blackouts and electricity spot price spikes.
Volatility of supply in regional and remote areas and the ability to quickly generate power after natural disasters has also contributed to the burgeoning popularity of diesel generators.
What Australia’s Energy Crisis Means for You
While Federal and State governments are looking for measures to shore up energy supplies, fix national energy markets and secure sustainable long-term solutions, the ongoing crisis will continue to impact us all. Blackouts, inconsistent supply and high power prices have left many seeking their own budget friendly power solutions from off-grid living to self -sufficient power generation models. In some cases, selling excess electricity back to the grid.
While energy bills are expected to climb dramatically across the country, up to 10 per cent over the next two years, the increases will not cover the true cost of generating electricity. Prices are expected to continue to rise due to wholesale energy costs and government green energy policies. It is little wonder that householders are increasingly struggling to pay their power bills on time.
In Western Australia, households and businesses are installing solar panels at a record rate with installations up 33 per cent this year from last year, driven by the rising power prices and the falling cost of solar technology.
However, while solar technology has become a popular choice, affordable long-term, high capacity battery storage technology is still in its infancy. In addition, limits on rooftop solar and battery storage capacities for households mean greater consideration is being given to ways of taking appliances partially or fully off the grid. It’s becoming increasingly important to understand how you can guarantee your power supply.
Consider Diesel Generators
Diesel generators are proving a key component to managing Australia’s energy crisis. These generators provide stable and reliable electricity production and have become extremely efficient with regards to fuel efficiency. In the coming year, it’s likely there will not be enough power available to prevent blackouts during periods of peak energy usage. The increasing costs of purchasing power from Australia’s power grid might also be placing strain on your budget. Whether you are considering taking yourself completely off-grid, or just hoping to stay ahead of any grid power failures, investing in a diesel generator is worth considering when it comes to ensuring the comfort and well-being of your family.
Author Bio
This article is written by Jayde Ferguson, who writes for Able Sales – An Australian wide supplier of quality diesel and petrol generators for off-grid living or combined with renewable resources. You can catch her on Google+.
Is it really good to encourage more Diesel power considering that burning Diesel fuel emits CO2? Also, unless there are unusually good filter systems, Diesel exhaust contains toxic materials.
From the article:
“However, while solar technology has become a popular choice, affordable long-term, high capacity battery storage technology is still in its infancy.”
That is the problem with renewables except where pumped storage is available.
Frank,
Jayde Ferguson doesn’t portray an accurate picture of Australia’s energy problems. Possibly because works for a company selling diesel generators.
Australia is one of the world leading exporters of energy !
In comparison to most industrialized nations, Australia has relatively cheap, and very reliable grid supply.
Unfortunately, the two smallest states, South Australia and Tasmania for largely ideological reasons, have closed or failed to expand , conventional power in the form of Coal or Hydro-electric capacity.
This makes the grid in these states vulnerable to natural disasters and the cost of long distance power transmission.
Australia is one of the most energy rich nations on earth. Unfortunately, political ideology has blocked progress domestically.
The main crisis times for Australia appear to occur during heatwave conditions and tend to be worst in the evening. The obvious solution to this is to combine solar power with using both sides of a heat pump, and two thermal stores. One for hot water, the other for chilled water. The chilled water – chilled during the day can then be used to cool the house through the evening.