REALLY?

Let’s Think This Through: Is AEMO’s Solar Curtailment Plan a Solution or a Problem?

So, AEMO wants emergency powers to switch off your rooftop solar when demand is low and output is high, claiming it's for “grid stability” and to prevent “system collapse.” But let’s pause and ask: is this really about stability, or is it about protecting the fossil-fuel dinosaurs clinging to their spinning metal relics?
The Facts (and the Questions They Raise):

Rooftop Solar is Thriving
With over 4 million systems across Australia, rooftop solar is sometimes meeting half of all electricity demand — even exceeding 100% in places like South Australia.
👉 Question: If rooftop solar is so successful, why does it suddenly need throttling? Could the problem be that fossil fuel generators can’t handle being sidelined?

Minimum Demand Is a Real Challenge
AEMO argues that low demand for grid power during peak solar hours makes the grid “unstable.” They claim coal and gas provide vital services like "inertia" and "system strength."
👉 Question: Aren’t there modern technologies like advanced inverters, synchronous condensers, and batteries that can replicate these services? Why isn’t AEMO prioritising these over cutting solar?

Curtailment: An Emergency or an Excuse?
AEMO says this would be used “rarely” and in “emergencies.” But similar measures already exist in some states, and we’ve seen how “rare” powers can quickly become routine.
👉 Question: Who decides when it’s an “emergency”? Without public oversight, could this become a way to prioritise profit over progress?

Global Examples: Solutions Without Solar Sacrifice
Germany: Faced similar issues but focused on grid upgrades and storage solutions.
California: Uses demand response programs and batteries to balance the grid.
China: Expanded transmission capacity instead of stifling renewables.
👉 Question: If other countries can innovate their way out of this problem, why is Australia rushing to pull the solar switch?

The Profit Problem?

Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: who stands to gain from curtailing rooftop solar? Reducing solar output benefits large, centralised generators — many of whom are fossil fuel-based — by keeping wholesale prices higher and reducing competition.

👉 Question: Is this about protecting the grid or protecting the profits of coal and gas companies? And if it’s the latter, why are we footing the bill for outdated infrastructure instead of building a grid that works with renewables?
Solutions Exist. Why Aren’t We Using Them?

Invest in Storage: Batteries can absorb excess solar and release it when demand spikes

Smarter Grids: Technologies like advanced inverters can stabilise the grid without relying on coal and gas.

Demand Response: Encourage consumers to use power during solar peak hours instead of penalising them for generating it.

Final Thought: Who’s the Grid Really For?

If AEMO’s plan goes ahead, it’s not just about a “secure grid.” It’s about whether we let an outdated system hold back the clean energy transition. Let’s think this through: Are we solving a technical problem, or is this just another way to keep the fossil fuel industry afloat?

Time for answers, not excuses.

Source: https://hypalnk.com/bktif

Tags: Solar, Energy