As always Alex you write a well-balanced piece. I agree those two books on the history of the Qld ESI are very good, used them in my PhD thesis.
I'd like to add that an energy transition should also be 'just' in that:
1) It mitigates injustices associated with energy systems,
2) It fairly distributes the burdens and benefits of energy systems, and
3) Has impartial and representative decision-making (this one is hard to do as political influence can distort market investment in power generation, distribution and storage technologies)
I think this reinvention of the energy system is different in the the consumer is now also a participant - not just in RTS distributed generation - but more importantly the opportunity for Demand Management as an active balance to what was exclusively a Supply Management system.
Agreed that is one of the key differences in the modern transition, although what is interesting in reading through some of the history there's more demand management and a focus on customers in previous years than I think many would realise. Seemed to be particularly an emerging aspects of the 1990s, at least with regards to large consumers.
I'd like to write about this in a future edition.
Although one perspective which is important to capture is that many of these narratives are from the SECs themselves, and certainly I've heard plenty of contemporary criticism of the lack of customer focus of the SECs. So need to manage these conflicting narratives.
Alex, I feel very old having started my career in South West Qld with the last of the rural electrification schemes, the construction site that was Tarong and the ETU industrial actions against Joh. Not a bad first few years of my career, certainly eye opening for a city boy.
Hey Alex, this piece was a little more serious and I enjoyed the contemplative narrative around the history of our industry. When taking everything into consideration it is a little mind blowing to think just how much change has occurred in the Australian energy landscape in the last 30 years let alone 100 years.
Always appreciate the time and effort you and Deckers put into this passion project, so please continue your fine work.
As always Alex you write a well-balanced piece. I agree those two books on the history of the Qld ESI are very good, used them in my PhD thesis.
I'd like to add that an energy transition should also be 'just' in that:
1) It mitigates injustices associated with energy systems,
2) It fairly distributes the burdens and benefits of energy systems, and
3) Has impartial and representative decision-making (this one is hard to do as political influence can distort market investment in power generation, distribution and storage technologies)
Cheers from Lucas S
Great post Alex … as always.
I think this reinvention of the energy system is different in the the consumer is now also a participant - not just in RTS distributed generation - but more importantly the opportunity for Demand Management as an active balance to what was exclusively a Supply Management system.
Thanks Tim!
Agreed that is one of the key differences in the modern transition, although what is interesting in reading through some of the history there's more demand management and a focus on customers in previous years than I think many would realise. Seemed to be particularly an emerging aspects of the 1990s, at least with regards to large consumers.
I'd like to write about this in a future edition.
Although one perspective which is important to capture is that many of these narratives are from the SECs themselves, and certainly I've heard plenty of contemporary criticism of the lack of customer focus of the SECs. So need to manage these conflicting narratives.
Alex, I feel very old having started my career in South West Qld with the last of the rural electrification schemes, the construction site that was Tarong and the ETU industrial actions against Joh. Not a bad first few years of my career, certainly eye opening for a city boy.
That would have been an extremely interesting time to start one's career!
Like it, energy history FTW
Possible further reading: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800240-7.00024-2
Hey Alex, this piece was a little more serious and I enjoyed the contemplative narrative around the history of our industry. When taking everything into consideration it is a little mind blowing to think just how much change has occurred in the Australian energy landscape in the last 30 years let alone 100 years.
Always appreciate the time and effort you and Deckers put into this passion project, so please continue your fine work.
Cheers Nick