JG3 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Recently I flew out to view the new solar/gas power plant west of Dalby, Qld. /monthly_2018_11/1107968892_Gasplant010(Medium)(Custom).JPG.94e78000821ce735190b413f6a1c6369.JPG" data-ratio="57.41"> The solar array in the background and backup gas generators foreground. Note how the gas plant is configured with six units, so that they can be fired up separately to match the load requirement, a very efficient arrangement. Also note how clean and tidy the the whole setup is. /monthly_2018_11/403370652_Gasplant005(Medium)(Custom).JPG.406e891c35879f2565032174a72c9b30.JPG" data-ratio="66.67"> Another view of the solar array, and more ground prepared for expansion. /monthly_2018_11/697404679_Tarong(Custom).JPG.afed16eb568a02809190846805b4c821.JPG" data-ratio="66.67"> Nearby is this old coal fired plant. Quite a mess.... /monthly_2018_11/135566743_TarongMine(Custom).JPG.ab1d8ac7e82d8739b47fb67b08291516.JPG" data-ratio="66.67"> And this is the coal mine that feeds that plant. An even bigger mess.... The coal-fired plant is much larger capacity than the solar/gas plant, but seems to me that we sure do need more of those clean, efficient type of power plants. Flying sure does give a very real view of what goes on down there..... 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunder Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 All we need now is a govt with the balls to plan and put in pipelines from the tropical north to the southern States and pump fresh water down and get rid of these expensive and short life desalination plants. Irrigating farms on the way down is a bonus. Where you have gas, you have power. Where you have power, you can run pumps. Buried poly pipe(s) would last hundreds of years. .... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgwilson Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Governments, that is the Libs and Nats have too many vested interests in fossil fuel to make good rational decisions and push for sustainable renewable energy. The funny thing is that ordinary people and business are ignoring the politicians & doing it anyway. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetjr Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 The energy needed to move the water would require several power stations on the way - the resultant water, then too expensive Its a nice idea but not deliverable 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 I believe as a rule of thumb over a distance of 400 kms water is cheaper by desal of sea water, than to pump it. I guess if the pumping is done using solar It might be more feasible. Storing water in the hot drier areas is not a good idea as the evaporation rates are very high unless the storage has a low surface area to volume ratio and doesn't leak into substratas or get siphoned off illegally. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClintonB Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Our local storage dam had the wall raised a few years ago by 2 metres. It took away the road on the far side, increased the storage by 50%. But they did not think to dig out the millions of tonnes of silt from the shallow end whilst the dam was close to empty for 4 or 5 years. It appeared to be several metres deep even in the river entry end (judging by the original landscape shape). The increase in depth would have to be a gain better than surface area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly_tornado Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 The mining companies and unions are currently fighting to stop paying for the clean up of abandoned mines. It's like they want to turn the public against them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly_tornado Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Our local storage dam had the wall raised a few years ago by 2 metres. It took away the road on the far side, increased the storage by 50%. But they did not think to dig out the millions of tonnes of silt from the shallow end whilst the dam was close to empty for 4 or 5 years. It appeared to be several metres deep even in the river entry end (judging by the original landscape shape). The increase in depth would have to be a gain better than surface area. What do you do with the silt though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClintonB Posted November 12, 2018 Share Posted November 12, 2018 Got to be a few mines that need filling somewhere, just down the road is the hunter valley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekliston Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 (Totally tongue in cheek in case anyone thinks I’m serious!) You shouldn’t need to pump the water if the pipeline is coming from the North because it is downhill!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacesailor Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 F T "What do you do with the silt though?" Dry it Bag it & sell it, for a good return, like they do in Europe. Sewage settling pond silt sells for a premium price at all the horticultural markets. (but it has a nicer name ) spacesailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly_tornado Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 The could give it away on Facebook too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Koreelah Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 All we need now is a govt with the balls to plan and put in pipelines from the tropical north to the southern States and pump fresh water down and get rid of these expensive and short life desalination plants. Irrigating farms on the way down... And lose northern Australia's fishing industry? A clear understanding of natural systems is required before we start changing them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank marriott Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Easily fixed, compared to an open cut coal mine. Nev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly_tornado Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 that turbine is 20 years old ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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