Informed debate about the Greens plan for 100 per cent renewables by 2030 and the closure of all coal-fired power stations enables us to assess substance over conjecture.
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If there is no base load power provision how will we provide power when there are long periods of extreme heat or cold?
Greg Oates in response to my letter to the editor on August 7 suggests that battery storage or hydro will respond just as quickly to the current coal fired power stations. The largest battery storage facility in the world is currently in South Australia and reacts very quickly. In the absence of base load power the Tesla battery’s can provide 100 megawatts of power for 50,000 homes for one hour and 18 minutes.
Where will the power for other homes, businesses and infrastructure for essential services come from? If the answer is hydro then it will need to be increased by 15 times the current 5 per cent generation over the next 12 years to get close to our existing coal fired output. The disadvantages of hydro are that it cannot be built close to major cities to reduce transmission costs and can be affected by long periods of drought.
My suggestion of High Energy Low Emission coal fired power stations being built is a pragmatic one. HELE power stations can be built close to areas of the largest need, much less coal is used compared to existing old technology stations with much lower emissions, essential base load power can be quickly increased and production continued for long periods, is not affected by lack of wind, water or sun and we have access to some of the best quality coal in the world with low transportation costs.
We all want clean air and water now and into the future but Australians will not tolerate long periods each day without their computers, or iPhone, or television, or lighting, or petrol or … having no choice!
David Williams, North Albury
A thank you to vets
Vietnam Veterans’ Day honoured the service and sacrifice of those who served in Australia’s longest conflict of the 20th century.
For Australia, the Vietnam War began in 1962 when 30 members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam arrived in South Vietnam to provide military training to local units. Over the next 10 years, Australian forces would fight in fierce battles with the enemy, most notably the Battle of Long Tan in 1966, the Battles of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral in 1967 and the Battle of Binh Ba in 1969.
While Australia’s participation was formally declared over in January 1973, elements of the RAAF remained until 1975 assisting with evacuation operations. Tragically, 521 Australians died, and some 3000 were wounded. Many who returned did so with physical and emotional scars, which remained long after the war and the effects of which often extended to their loved ones.
It was our Vietnam veterans who recognised the need for additional support, establishing a dedicated counselling service that provides specialised mental health and support services to all veterans and their families. This was known as the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service, but today is known as the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service.
As a nation we owe you our thanks for this vital service that continues to support veterans and their families. Thank you for your service.
