ANSTO CEO Adrian Paterson has raised concerns about the GenCost reports, criticizing their lack of details and flawed method of calculating energy system costs.
Former head of Australia’s nuclear research agency, Paterson, stated that the GenCost reports are outdated and disconnected from the need to provide Australian consumers with reliable electricity. He highlighted during a recent inquiry hearing on nuclear power that these reports do not offer a comprehensive view of electricity generation in Australia.
Paterson emphasized that GenCost reports focus solely on generation costs at the facility producing electrons, without considering factors like grid extension and artificial inertia. Inertia, which maintains the steady frequency of electricity in a grid, is a crucial aspect of an energy network.
These reports are a collaboration between Australia’s peak science agency, CSIRO, and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). They provide insights into electricity generation and storage costs in Australia, serving as reference materials for government agencies and ministers promoting renewable energy policies.
Paterson also criticized the method used in GenCost reports to calculate energy system costs, stating that it relies on the levelized cost of electricity, a method abandoned by the industry. He suggested the “levelised full system cost of electricity” as the new standard for measuring energy system costs.
Moreover, Paterson expressed concerns about the impact of wind and solar energy on Australia’s Eastern power grid, emphasizing the low-quality electricity produced by these technologies. He highlighted the need for inherent inertia in grids and the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources into the existing system.
In conclusion, Paterson questioned the feasibility of doubling the size of the grid, reducing energy density, and providing reliable electricity simultaneously. He argued that building nuclear power plants may be a more cost-effective solution compared to the current approach proposed by AEMO. Please rewrite this sentence.
Source link
