The Queensland energy market, explained.
What’s Watt aims to answer every question about how we keep the lights on in Queensland.
The Queensland Government has committed $145 million to establishing three Queensland Renewable Energy Zones (QREZ). Here’s what you need to know about what they are, where they are, and how they will aid the evolution of Queensland’s energy system. What…
The global energy crisis is making headlines around the world, as prices for coal, gas and oil skyrocket throughout the northern hemisphere. Here’s your straightforward guide to what’s happening in China, the US, the UK and Europe – and how…
The world is racing to reduce its carbon emissions, and even coal has a role to play. Here’s how HELE plants are helping to reduce the environmental impact of coal-fired power generation. What is a HELE plant? HELE stands for…
How much do you know about solar energy? Do you know your solar panels from your solar plexus? Take our quiz and find out how much of a bright spark you really are!
As our energy market transitions to a renewable future, it’s clear that solar and wind generation will have an increasingly large role to play – but what’s less clear is what should happen to all those solar panels and wind…
The National Electricity Market is making a major change to how it operates on October 1. Here’s what you need to know about this fundamental change, and how it’s expected to impact the grid. What’s happening? The National Electricity Market…
When electricity flows across power lines, not all of it makes it to our homes and businesses. Here’s what causes transmission losses – and why it’s becoming a bigger problem as more and more sources of generation connect to the…
Today’s energy consumers are looking for more sustainable options, and most energy retailers are happy to oblige. Here’s a guide to your options for going green, and how they work to reduce the impact your household or business has on…
There are more than 10 million electric vehicles on the road around the world, and now they’re starting to take off in Australia. But how much do you really know about EVs? Take our quiz to find out!
Nobody likes getting a bill they can’t afford, but if it happens to you, the most important thing is that you don’t just ignore it and hope the problem goes away. (Spoiler alert: It won’t.) If you address the problem…
Australians are switching on to solar power – but there are five questions you should ask yourself before you bite the bullet. If you’re thinking about installing solar panels, you’re not alone. Australia has the highest penetration of rooftop solar…
We already use batteries to power our phones, laptops and electric cars – and as Australia’s energy generation mix continues to evolve, we’re turning to them to help power our electricity grid, too. Australia has been blessed with abundant wind and…
The recent failure of a generating unit at Callide Power Station caused a blackout in South East Queensland and sent wholesale electricity prices soaring. Here’s what you need to know to understand the true impact on the National Electricity Market…
If you haven’t shopped around for a new energy provider recently, you could be hurting your bottom line. Business energy is big business – here’s what you need to know. Electricity is a significant overhead cost for small businesses. In…
Governments around the world are aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and Australia could be set to join them. Here’s what ‘net zero emissions’ actually means – and what it will take to achieve it without sending energy…
In late 2020, the Queensland government appointed its first dedicated Minister for Hydrogen, providing an indication of the key role the government expects hydrogen to play in both the local economy and as a major new export opportunity for Queensland. …
We've all heard about solar and wind energy – but how much do you really know about low-carbon power generation? Take our renewable energy quiz to prove you’ve been paying attention and show off what a bright spark you are!
Late rebidding is a normal and essential part of the wholesale energy market. Most Australians get their electricity from the National Electricity Market (NEM), a highly competitive and highly regulated market operating on one of the world’s longest interconnected electricity…
There are more than 10 million electric vehicles on the road throughout the world, with the global pace of sales accelerating rapidly. But what separates electric vehicles from the pack – and when will Australia catch up to the race…
If you haven’t reviewed your energy plan recently, there’s a good chance you’re paying too much for your electricity. Here’s what you need to know to correct that. Unless you enjoy paying more for utilities than you have to, it’s…
There are a number of things you can do to cut back on your energy usage at home. Learn more about measuring and managing your home power usage here first. Switch off, don’t stand by TVs, game consoles, dishwashers, microwaves, phone…
Wind power is on the rise in Australia, but it’s not simply a matter of waiting for a strong gale to charge your devices. To put it into extremely simple terms, wind energy is electricity generated by the power of…
Are you an energy expert? How much do you really know about the National Electricity Market (NEM)? Take our quiz to prove you’ve been paying attention and show how switched on you are!
Australia’s energy system is in transition, and a crucial turning point has been reached. For now, at least, it’s the role of the Energy Security Board to ensure a secure and reliable energy future in the midst of that transition.…
Knowledge is power, but a little knowledge can help you use a little less power, too. Here’s what you need to know to actively measure and manage your home electricity use and save money on your electricity bills. There are…
There was no one lightbulb moment that led to the creation of the lightbulb. From ancient texts to the wizards of the electrical age, the story of electricity has been unfolding for thousands of years – and it’s not finished…
If you enjoyed a hot shower this morning, odds are you probably have a decomposing organism from millions of years ago to thank for it. Natural gas is a fossil fuel formed from the layered remains of plants and animals…
The National Electricity Market is transitioning rapidly from a landscape dominated by large thermal generators towards low-carbon energy production – but fossil fuels still have a significant role to play. As a sustainable and relatively cheap fuel source, there are…
To understand what causes wholesale electricity prices to spike, it’s important to first understand how the market works. Most Australians get their power from the National Electricity Market (NEM), a wholesale market operating on one of the world’s longest interconnected…
When you grab a cold drink from the fridge, plug your phone into a charger or settle in for a Netflix binge session, it all just works like magic – but there’s a lot of work being done behind-the-scenes to…
Every hour, the sun generates enough energy to theoretically power the globe for a year – but there’s an art to capturing that energy and turning it into usable electricity. The sun is, essentially, a giant (and natural) nuclear reactor.…
Having trouble understanding your electricity bill? Here’s what you need to know to demystify the jargon and make sense of what you’re being charged. They say you get what you pay for, but when you don’t know exactly what you’re…
Energy is an essential service, which is why laws and safeguards are in place to make sure your access to it is reliable, secure and affordable. Before we get started, it’s important to note that there are a heap of…
The National Electricity Market is transforming rapidly, as renewable energy sources and changes in daily energy demand patterns make their mark on the industry. Here’s what you need to know about the market that determines the price you pay for…
How energy prices are set
and how the market works
of transmission lines and cables are incorporated by the NEM
is the highest NEM demand record, set on Friday 31 January 2020
of large-scale renewable energy is currently in operation in the NEM
businesses and customers are connected to the NEM
