Australia is at a crossroads with renewable energy. A record 27.4% of wind and solar power had to be "curtailed"—a fancy word for wasted—recently, according to experts. This might seem shocking, but it’s not entirely unexpected as the nation transitions toward a greener grid.
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Here’s what’s happening: with more renewable energy than the grid can handle at times, authorities are forced to dump some of that surplus. Geoff Eldridge, an energy consultant, points out that this curtailment, which outpaces even coal power in New South Wales at times, is growing every year.
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Why? In simple terms, there’s often too much renewable energy being produced during the day and not enough infrastructure, like storage, to capture and redistribute it when it’s needed most—like during evening demand peaks.
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But don’t despair! This is actually a sign of progress. As more coal plants close in the coming years, space will open up in the grid for wind and solar to take over. Plus, this surplus of energy during the day is driving investment in storage solutions like batteries, which can soak up that extra energy and feed it back into the grid when needed. The big picture? With the right infrastructure, we can tap into this wasted energy, making homes more sustainable and cutting down electricity costs.
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How VoltaRocks Helps
At VoltaRocks, we’re all about making energy efficiency easy for everyday Australians. With our app, homeowners can optimise their energy use, especially as Australia heads into this renewable revolution. Whether it’s managing peak demand or using surplus energy more efficiently, VoltaRocks gives you the tools to make your home smarter and greener.
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Source: ABC News - "Australia wasting record amounts of renewable energy as share of wind and solar soars"
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