Peter Seligman is spot-on with his comments lamenting the lack of a proper design for the national grid, rather than the current method of throwing bits and pieces at it (Letters, 16/3). The federal government should commission a detailed study to establish the parameters for cost, security etc, within which the various bodies, both state and private, can operate. A similar study was undertaken by an independent overseas engineering consulting organisation in the early 1950s for the Snowy Hydro scheme. It concluded that the optimal way to develop the potential was to link the grids of NSW and Victoria via the Snowy interconnectors and to run the Snowy power stations to provide peak load power at a load factor of 22per cent. A new study of the existing grid would go a long way to proposing limits on each of the energy sources which will make up the grid of the future.
Bob Perkins, Bendigo
Extra generation will be gas- or coal-fired
Every 1000 megawatts of new pumped storage in the Snowy Mountains will require more than that power generation elsewhere in order to pump the water back up to the dam. And what power source will that be? Not solar, as it will generally occur at night, and probably not wind, as there may not be enough of it available. The most likely additional generation will be gas- or coal-fired. So this is not a "green" initiative, but a power system stabilisation measure – one based on additional fossil fuels unless huge additional wind power is installed.
Lawrence Gebert, Surrey Hills
Merely keeping up with population growth
The $2 billion "hydro fix" is being marketed as a significant solution to our energy needs. The 500,000 homes it will power are about the same number of new homes that will be created between now and when the project is completed. It might seem churlish to be critical of an exercise which merely keeps pace with population growth – given that other infrastructure is not improved to manage those additional needs. It is inaccurate to say the "hydro fix" will improve energy demands if those demands are expressed on a "per household" basis. It is "current proofing", not "future proofing".
Tony Long, Glen Iris
SA, battling to keep up with the past
When I worked in the Queensland electricity industry during the 1980s, the planning horizon was 10 years – the time to specify, source, design, obtain approvals for, construct and commission a major generating station. At the moment, the South Australian government is trying to locate gas supplies for a new, as-yet unspecified generator. Instead of planning for the future, this is trying to catch up with the past. The situation is not helped by the fact that the gas-fired Torrens Island plant, which supplies a quarter of the state's demand, is of the same vintage as Hazelwood, and must be due for retirement. Once ideology displaces reality, incompetence proliferates. Contemplating the installation of a small, PV/battery storage peaking plant resembles a drowning man clutching at straws. Unfortunately, Victoria employs the same style of strategic planning, and is also in deep water.
Brian Stanmore, Junortoun
SA's sustainable, productive energy policy
"My sentiments exactly" is how I responded to Jay Weatherill's frustration with Canberra's criticism of his government's enlightened energy policies, and its unhelpful responses to his state's recent supply crises. The Prime Minister's gratuitous sniping at South Australia, echoed by his do-nothing Energy Minister, have been unedifying. It is time they came to grips with a productive and sustainable energy policy.
James Watt, North Geelong
THE FORUM
What's not to love?
Jay Weatherill should be congratulated for what he has achieved in regard to renewable energy. He is attempting to find solutions rather than just talking about vague schemes to be completed four years down the track, as made by our prime minister.
I have done my bit by installing solar panels, only to find that Powercore is the real beneficiary of the excess electricity it produces. I am fed up with "negotiating" with power companies every few months over discounts they give me – and then take away. However, I cannot afford to get off the grid.
South Australia may have problems now with sustaining its power supply but it is ahead of the game. And with lower house prices, a more relaxed lifestyle, less traffic and better weather in comparison to Melbourne – and a forward thinking premier – it seems to be a nice place to live.
Wendy Smith, Werribee
A lesson in manners
MPs, take note. Jay Weatherill calmly, eloquently and incisively tore Josh Frydenberg to pieces. Mr Weatherill did this with dignity, and without a hint of the juvenile screaming antics that we see in parliamentary Question Time. Powerful stuff. Look and learn, honourable members.
Stephen Mills, Blackburn South
Low point in politics
Yes, we have a dispute between the federal and South Australian governments on energy policy. Yes, their views are significantly different and the issue is very important. But the Prime Minister's attempt to publicly question the mental health of the Premier is unacceptable and inexcusable. A very low point in Australian politics. He should apologise, and focus on the issues and policies, instead of resorting to a snide personal attack.
Dr Michael Henry, Melbourne
Call for modernisation
Snowy Hydro 2.0 has nothing to do with renewable energy. It is about locking in long-term contracts for coal-based generation. Pumped storage is "supply balancing" which is good, but the energy used to pump the water uphill is all coal. It is more investment in 1940's generation technology. We need to follow the leadership of the SA government and modernise our energy system. The federal government lacks vision and is aligned with the fossil fuel industry.
Oliver Clifton, Collingwood
In praise of nuclear
Finally we see some sanity emerging in the energy debate (The Age, 16/3). For too long the word "nuclear" has been taboo.We need to include the nuclear option in conversations about solving our ongoing energy needs.
Elizabeth Webb, Eltham
High cost of nuclear
There are many ways in which entrepreneurs operating within the economy avoid paying the full costs of their operation. Waste disposal may be achieved by simply dumping things into the ocean. Another method is to dump things into the future. This is the strategy of the nuclear industry which intends that all our descendants, for the next hundred thousand years or so, pay for the cost of storing nuclear waste. If the cost was added into the cost of the electricity produced, it would be so expensive as to be ridiculous.
Simon Thornton, Alphington
Say it loud and proud
I wonder why Kate Ellis was at pains to say that her second pregnancy had nothing to do with her decision to quit parliament. She should hold her head high and say she is proud that she would rather spend her time with her children, the future of Australia, than with politicians in Canberra. I know who I would prefer to keep company with.
Marilyn Van Loon, Point Lonsdale
A little bit ethical
AMP Capital has announced that for ethical reasons, it will no longer hold shares in tobacco manufacturers in its investment portfolios (The Age, 17/3). Very few smokers buy their smokes from the manufacturer. They do, however, buy them from Coles and Woolworths. Will AMP sell down holdings in these companies? I doubt it. Maybe it is only being a little bit ethical.
John Cleaves, Elwood
Killing and maiming
Tranquil wetlands that usually provide safe havens for native birds became killing fields this morning. Duck shooting has begun. Over the next three months, waterbirds will be blasted out of the sky. Tens of thousands will die and at least one in four will suffer injuries that lead to painful, protracted deaths. Amongst them will be threatened and protected species. In 2016, Daniel Andrews committed $5.3million of taxpayers' money to promote this so-called "sport" and appease shooter lobby groups. Duck shooting is a coward's game that persists in Victoria due to a spiritless government.
Kim Stacey, Black Rock
Fighting unjust laws
The ACTU's new secretary Sally McManus says she believes in the rule of law "where the law's fair, where the law's right, but when it's unjust I don't think there's a problem with breaking it" (The Age, 17/3). Her critics almost universally support the use of our democratic processes to change unjust laws. In their minds, American civil rights activist Rosa Parks should have gone to the back of the bus – rather than refuse to give up her seat for a white passenger – and worked on her campaign to get elected to the US Senate.
Brendan Harrison, Bacchus Marsh
Banning unjust laws
President Donald Trump says that the latest court ruling against his immigration ban makes the United States "look weak". On the contrary, it makes the US look like a country where the rule of law is upheld and arrogant would-be dictators cannot do whatever they want.
John Gipps, Frankston
Money talks for AFL
Make no mistake. The AFL is manipulating the public towards a night Grand Final (Sport, 17/3). Most of the 2016 finals were at night. (Fortunately, the weather was good.) The AFL is not interested in the fact that the people want it to be held during the day. It is only looking at the television dollars.
Keith Robinson, Glen Waverley
Don't destroy our day
The inevitable will happen, and years will pass, and millions of extra dollars will trickle into the AFL and shareholders of media companies and other "stakeholders". And then we will say: "Gee, Grand Final day was great. Why did we stuff it up?"
Marc Cain, Mount Duneed
My tests, my results
For many years my pathology provider has sent me copies of the tests performed on me. Up to this week, this has been at no cost to me, but now I am expected to pay $31.50 to see a copy of my own results. This is another example of the greed that exists in our health system.
Innes Hutchison, Highton
The battle to top up
Regarding myki "dead zones" (The Age, 16/3), stop 19 in Flemington Road, which serves three tram lines, leaves them for dead. The nearest top-up facility is about 400metres, but it is inside the Royal Children's Hospital. Topping up becomes a much longer trip involving stairs and labyrinthine turns. Stop 19 has the wiring set up for a myki machine, but it has never been installed. And opposite is a convenience store which is not allowed to sell myki top-ups because of a deal made by myki's owners with a competing franchise. The people who run this system probably drive to work.
Dave Quinn, Collingwood
An ulterior plan?
Our government has again refused to back the UN Human Rights Council's criticism of Myanmar's treatment – murder, gang rape, destruction of villages and slaughter of infants – of Rohingyas (Editorial, 16/3).
In her statement to the council, special rapporteur Yanghee Lee gave graphic testimony and called for a commission of inquiry to investigate the situation. But Australia made only "tut tut" statements, refused to support the investigation and argued that Myanmar should conduct its own investigation, albeit with "international help".
Could Myanmar be on a government list of Third World countries that could be chivvied or financially persuaded into taking some of Peter Dutton's unwanted refugees from Manus Island and Nauru?
Rosalind Berry, Daylesford
Learn from the master
Does Opposition Leader Mathew Guy ever say anything positive or constructive ? He sounds more like Tony Abbott every day.
Louise Cutbush, Clifton Hill
AND ANOTHER THING
ACTU
Employers accused of breaking the law by underpaying workers should argue the laws are unjust. The ACTU would support them.
Bill Little, Macleod
I'm with Sally McManus. Why respect bad laws? Remember conscription for the Vietnam War.
Anne Sgro, Coburg North
Has the ACTU regained its voice?
John McNally, Kew
World
The voters of the Netherlands have given new meaning to the term Dutch courage.
Radley Oorloff, Mount Waverley
Their home is Geert by sea.
Bill Pell, Emerald
Washington, we have a problem.
Patrick OBrien, Maldon
Snowy Hydro Scheme
In 20 or so years, will there be any snow to provide water to power the expanded scheme?
Layla Godfrey, Mount Eliza
"I am a nation building prime minister". Which episode of Utopia did Malcolm Turnbull watch?
Rodney Waterman, Eltham
Back to the future.
Linda Mackie, Collingwood
Is pumped hydro perpetual motion or do we need to burn coal for the energy to pump the water up the hill?
Bob Edgar, Strathfieldsaye
If pumped hydro is powered by brown coal, it will have a high carbon footprint. Go nuclear, Malcolm.
Roger Turner, Tuerong
I was worried about this power crisis. Silly me. Malcolm and Josh should have the job done by Tuesday.
Bill Davis, Ballarat
So now we've got SnoMo 2.
Ian Brookman, Kingsville