The Power Crisis

[k14]

- The problem should sit with the consumer, why are people not telling you its a crisis - because they are SUPPLYING you. If they have issues they can charge you MORE. Consumers are the suckers here if they dont change their ways......Petrol Crisis anyone....

Do you care to elaborate on that point?

Currently no there is no power crisis. Is there a possibility of one? Yes, most definately. If you just take a quick glance at the below graph you will see where we stand currently. If the current dry conditions continue over winter and through to early sept there is a very real possibility of rolling blackouts. At the moment it is hard to say what the likelihood of this is but it certainly is a real possibility.

Saying that power companies like high prices is a pretty nieve statement tio make. By doing so indicates what little knowledge of the industry you really have. The main cause for the current percieved hydro shortage is the lack of new infrastructure investment over the last 10 or so years since the industry was privatised. A big problem at the moment is the HVDC link having a big chunk of it not allowed to be used. The main reason for it being taken out of service is that Transpower couldn't get any company to insure them for using it. It was put in yonks ago and is miles past its used by date. I believe its one of only 2 still in service in the world using mercury arc valves (the other in british columbia i think???). The other thing is that they cannot source spare parts for it any more. I think I read something saying replacing it was approx $700 million and would take 5 years or something. Just one of the many inadequacies of the current NZ transmission and generation infrastructure.

I'm quite happy though, I've got my gas fire and petrol generator in the garage so don't mind which way it goes.

[ManDownUnder]

Amasing how the power companies tell you to use less when they can supply less but don't worry about inefficiencies between times. It's almost like they want us to use lots of power.

As for me... 3500 Watt generator, male to male extension cords (x2) to connect it up to the house, turn the power off at the meter board and do whatever the hell I like.

*yawn*

Easy peasy... albeit slightly naughty...

[klingon]

Saw the same thing on TV but without power the gas doesn't work. try it tonight when your home (hot water mainly). Your stove should still go but don't think the rest will.

Eh? Why is that? If it's true it means my plan won't work as well as I thought... I still have gas cooking and a cosy fire in the living room but no hot water?!

[avgas]

Do you care to elaborate on that point?

Are your sure you read all my post? I never mentioned that a power crisis truly existed (this will clear up any misconceptions about what i don't know about the industry hopefully). Yes Hydro is at its lowest since 1992.....but as i stated earlier, we are not 70% reliant on it as we were in 1992. Is it 50% now? I'm not sure (not my area).
As for investment, there has been lots since then (as i also stated) and there will continue to do so (mainly is distribution by the looks of the spreadsheets).
So to elaborate in my statement, power companies are just that companies. They have income and expense. Any power company that tells you they are not making profit or planning to increase profit is telling you little fibs.
This does not make them evil, it makes them realistic. You are right in the aspect that some of the gear in the industry is old (like 60+ year old overcurrent relays ) but it also is an industry that uses the "if it aint broke dont fix it" mentality. This is bad and good - bad cos its old, good cos its reliable.
All im stating is that it is all fine for people to say "they should do this", "they need to make more".........but it doesn't stop the problem that is the increase in INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER SUPPLY.
That is the customers responsibility, and the only way the supplier can change it is by affecting the price to the end user. But once again everyone points a finger and no-one shields the blame.

[The Stranger:Me]

Power crisis?

K&N, modify the air box, gut the cats and add a PC3 should help.

[Mikkel]

- Manapouri is a engineering achievement for NZ. I hope the old girl never gets decommisioned.

-Built by American cooperations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manapou...uction_history

Power crisis?

K&N, modify the air box, gut the cats and add a PC3 should help.

If that doesn't do it, just chuck a turbo on it.

[SPman]

Unfortunately it was caused by Leaky building syndrome. More like crap designing, shit inspections and poor quality workmanship by carpenters.
Oh, also using untreated timber...

Shit inspections - inspected according to the rules in place at the time,- badly.
Not when I was around though!

[Goblin]

Here's my contribution to the power crisis.

[avgas]

-Built by American cooperations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manapou...uction_history

Make it sound like thats a bad thing. So was most of the good stuff in NZ. Thanks to these guys...

[avgas]

noticed that a few people here have their own 'back-up supply' at home.
just a short question out their - how many people have thought of running their own supply (solar/generator/wind........mouse on a wheel) and going off the grid?
I currently am starting to convert my stuff at home to "worse-case-scenario" setups - Solar charging for the PDA cellphone, dyno powered torch......and looking into solar charging for the laptop. Not due to any power crisis - but because i want to put this gear in a backpack and go for a ride, or go for travels.
However if i owned my own house i would consider keeping it off the grid and going self-sufficient rather than 'extending the deck etc'. Dunno why - but mabey just to feel good. Anyone else had these thoughts?

[McDuck]

noticed that a few people here have their own 'back-up supply' at home.
just a short question out their - how many people have thought of running their own supply (solar/generator/wind........mouse on a wheel) and going off the grid?
I currently am starting to convert my stuff at home to "worse-case-scenario" setups - Solar charging for the PDA cellphone, dyno powered torch......and looking into solar charging for the laptop. Not due to any power crisis - but because i want to put this gear in a backpack and go for a ride, or go for travels.
However if i owned my own house i would consider keeping it off the grid and going self-sufficient rather than 'extending the deck etc'. Dunno why - but mabey just to feel good. Anyone else had these thoughts?

I have thought about it. And asked a few people who have. I have not yet found a person who had the choice and has gone with it for more than about 5 years. You need to spend damn near 60 000 dollers on a set up if you want to have a 'normal' usage pattern-not financially worth it unless you have to install power poles to get mains to your house. Even then for many it is not worth it.

[FLYMO]

we should go fart in front of a wind farm
no harm in blocking a few shitty rivers for more dams either

[Disco Dan]

I have a gas stove (and a BBQ if needed) and lotsa candles. The biggest problem would be my tropical fish tank. Poor little fishies don't like the cold!

Buy yourself a computer UPS - hook your tank up to that. Most power cuts dont last more than 3 hours. If you only hook up the filtration and the heater, it will last no problem.

[Shadows]

The main point about the list of new generation is that apart from the Manapouri Tailrace project, they are all baseload stations or wind farms which puts more stress on hydro storage.

I don't get it.

Baseload stations or not, how can increased generation put more stress on hydro storage?

Please explain for the benefit of myself and the rest of the dumb cunts.

[Zookey]

noticed that a few people here have their own 'back-up supply' at home.
just a short question out their - how many people have thought of running their own supply (solar/generator/wind........mouse on a wheel) and going off the grid?
I currently am starting to convert my stuff at home to "worse-case-scenario" setups - Solar charging for the PDA cellphone, dyno powered torch......and looking into solar charging for the laptop. Not due to any power crisis - but because i want to put this gear in a backpack and go for a ride, or go for travels.
However if i owned my own house i would consider keeping it off the grid and going self-sufficient rather than 'extending the deck etc'. Dunno why - but mabey just to feel good. Anyone else had these thoughts?

For all its worth Super Cheap have a generator on sale for $300 bucks that will keep the deep freeze running at least in a power blackout
.but would defeat owning an ecological car as youd double the fuel bill