Power prices don’t need to be sky high, and rising. Lower prices are within reach. But, only if a few myths are busted first.
Key myth: renewable power (solar, wind) is “OFF” if there’s no sun and/or wind.
Even the Australians have heard of battery storage – and battery farms (large collections of large connected batteries). They store the cheap solar and wind electricity for use when needed and are being introduced in several Australian states. (See: https://hornsdalepowerreserve)
Yet here we’re warned that renewables are somehow not available “if the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow.” Really?
So what are we looking at?
A plan to provide reliable, renewable energy for the South Wairarapa district, one which will permanently lower electricity prices to householders, farming and commercial operators.
The project could include local investors in a community power scheme which begins by providing renewable power through the current grid, so long as Powerco or another grid operator will agree a contract.
The most recent pricing data shows renewables (solar, wind) costing some $135.00 per KwH; hydro $150.00 KwH, gas $200 KwH, and diesel $500.00 KwH. The diesel is the proposed “firming” or “peaking” generation plant government is offering to help fund with taxpayer dollars at Marsden Point.
That sort of price is what has driven timber mills, sawmills and other business to close down across
New Zealand.
Instead, think local investment, local pricing, local distribution, resilience, and local profits.
Solar farms in South Wairarapa have already been mooted for Greytown, while North Power is seeking planning consent at Waingawa for a 147-hectare solar plant. It will power the nearby industrial estate and 1,300 houses in Masterton.
A local plan could see South Wairarapa District Council provide its waste water dispersal land in Martinborough, Featherston and Greytown as solar farm sites. That should cut through much of the planning red tape as well as getting “double use” from the community’s already-paid investment.
This locally-produced electricity would flow to the local community – ensuring only minor loss of power in the transmission system.
With enough panels (China currently plans a solar system with 20 MILLION panels), the local project could either sell surplus to other retailers – and/or install a battery farm/s to store for rainy days.
Given that panel prices have fallen by up to
80 percent, it will be cheaper being early community movers. And likely will have potential solar
business partners.
There are many hours of work and many big decisions to be made to even start to stand up such a concept.
But lowering the cost of vital resources like electricity could save this community many millions of dollars, given the bleak cost-rise landscape currently ahead for energy users, and the expanding demand for electric energy.
Another win: resilience for the South Wairarapa, with a local power system not dependent on the “main grid,” or high-priced gentailers and political whim.
