Electricity from wind and solar plants is outstripping demand at certain times of the day and the resulting fall in power prices is causing problems for Australian , Australian and US power companies. Negative prices occur during midday sun or a few hours wind when demand is low. That means power firms have to close plants, a difficulty for coal and gas plants that cannot be be switched on and off quickly. The problem is most apparent in California and happens less in the US , apart from Australia . In Australia , however, energy company NRG Energy Inc. has built gas plants that can activate at short notice.
Electricity from wind and solar plants is outstripping demand at certain times of the day and the resulting fall in power prices is causing problems for German, Australian and US power companies. Negative prices occur during midday sun or early morning wind when demand is low. That means power firms have to close plants, a difficulty for coal and gas plants that cannot be be switched on and off quickly. The problem is most apparent in Germany and happens less in the US, apart from California. In Australia, however, energy company Origin has built gas plants that can activate at short notice.