The hottest Decarbonization Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

Energy Cheat Sheet

Construction Physics • 85601 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Systems Infrastructure Decarbonization Renewable Energy Efficiency
  1. Energy is the ability to do work, like moving or changing things. Everything we do requires energy, and we can't create or destroy it, only change its form.
  2. Most of the energy we use gets wasted, with many losses occurring during energy transformations. Only about a third of the energy consumed goes towards useful work.
  3. Hydrocarbons, like oil and gas, are easy to store and transport, but as we shift to electricity, we need better storage solutions to manage fluctuations in supply and demand.

Gaining Steam

Doomberg • 9401 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🌍 World Politics Energy Nuclear Decarbonization Climate Government
  1. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau expressed serious commitment to nuclear power for the country's future energy needs.
  2. Grassroots efforts led by groups like Canadians for Nuclear Energy have influenced political outcomes in favor of nuclear power.
  3. Support for nuclear energy is growing in the US as leaders recognize its necessity for significant decarbonization of the economy.

Revisiting the hot model problem

The Climate Brink • 845 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Global Warming Climate Impacts Decarbonization
  1. Recent developments and data do not support the idea that the climate is more sensitive to emissions than previously thought.
  2. Certain climate models have high sensitivity to CO2, but community reviews have suggested narrowing down the range of climate sensitivity.
  3. The exact climate sensitivity estimates can vary across studies, but regardless, the priority remains the urgent need to decarbonize our society.

Germany Celebrates Fealty To Depopulation Lobby With Shut Down Of Nuclear Energy Sector

Matt Ehret's Insights • 1316 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Nuclear Energy Renewable Energy Radiation Decarbonization
  1. Germany and other European nations are shutting down nuclear energy sectors, citing concerns of sustainability and green energy production.
  2. Low dose radiation has been found to have positive health effects, despite common fears of radioactivity.
  3. Transitioning solely to solar and wind energy may not be as sustainable as expected, as it leads to toxic waste and high energy costs.

Hydropower and seasonal electricity storage

GEM Energy Analytics • 339 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Storage Decarbonization
  1. Hydropower with large reservoirs can store energy for a long time, helping balance electricity supply when renewable sources like wind and solar are low.
  2. As we move towards renewable energy, seasonal storage will be essential. However, using hydrogen for storage can be very expensive.
  3. Countries with more hydropower can better manage their energy needs, especially during peak demands, giving them an advantage over those that rely on costly alternatives.
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An introduction to (green) Hydrogen

GEM Energy Analytics • 299 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Sustainability Decarbonization Renewables
  1. Hydrogen is seen as important for reducing carbon emissions, but it's not a complete solution. It can help in specific tough areas but isn't the only answer.
  2. Producing hydrogen currently causes pollution because most of it is made from natural gas or coal. Only a tiny bit comes from clean methods like renewable energy.
  3. Green hydrogen is expensive to produce, and its high costs mean it will be limited. It's better used in areas where alternatives like electricity don't fit, not for everyday home heating or personal cars.

A few basic truths about offshore wind

Jérôme à Paris • 510 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Offshore Wind Decarbonization Energy transition Supply Chain
  1. Offshore wind was meant to be more expensive and a side show in the energy transition.
  2. Banks took construction risks initially, leading to offshore wind being almost as cheap as onshore wind in some regions.
  3. Offshore wind is necessary in some places due to geographical constraints and can provide diversification in renewable energy systems.

The Climate Fix Book Club, Chapter 9 & Full Book

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 274 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Decarbonization Energy Efficiency Global Emissions
  1. Setting clear goals is crucial for progress, even if there are debates around the specifics. Policies should focus on addressing the root causes of issues, not just consequences.
  2. Decarbonization of the economy can happen through improving energy efficiency and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources. These are essential to meet atmospheric carbon dioxide targets.
  3. Efforts to reduce carbon emissions should consider the balance between economic growth and environmental impact. Decarbonizing energy supply is crucial for significant progress.

Why the World is Watching Houston's Remarkable Energy Transition

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 176 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy transition Climate tech Decarbonization
  1. Houston's remarkable energy transition is being closely watched by the world due to its industrial prowess and diverse workforce.
  2. Perceptions of Houston as a city focused on preserving the energy status quo are changing as traditional energy companies are investing in clean technologies.
  3. Houston has the opportunity to become a leader in climate tech by leveraging its resources, attracting investment, and supporting climate-focused startups.

Putting Southeast Asia on the Climate Tech Map

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 157 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Decarbonization Emissions Reduction Environmental Impact
  1. Southeast Asia is a region with significant potential for climate tech innovation and investment.
  2. There is a need for highly scalable, decentralized solutions in Southeast Asia's climate tech landscape.
  3. Opportunities in Southeast Asia include addressing emissions from land use change and agriculture, and focusing on growth tailwinds for high-growth climate tech companies.

Grid Upgrade - Part 1: the reasons

GEM Energy Analytics • 139 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Sustainability Renewable Energy Infrastructure Decarbonization
  1. We need to upgrade our electricity grid because electricity use is rising with new technology and applications. This includes electric cars and heating, which all require more power.
  2. The grid must handle a lot more energy generation from renewable sources like wind and solar. This means we need to build more infrastructure to support the increased output.
  3. Many new energy projects are located far from where the electricity is needed. To solve this, we must improve connections and cooperation between regions to reliably deliver energy where it’s required.

Micromobility: An Urban Transportation Revolution

Need to Know by Stephen Leahy • 58 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Transportation Electric Vehicles Urban living Sustainability Decarbonization
  1. Nearly 300 million electric two- and three-wheelers are in use today, showing a global shift towards micromobility.
  2. Micromobility has the potential to significantly reduce oil demand and improve air quality in cities.
  3. Micromobility addresses traffic congestion by providing low-cost, sustainable transportation options for short urban trips.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #79

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 94 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🔬 Science Nuclear Decarbonization Neuralink Drug Development Artificial Intelligence
  1. Biden administration to offer a $1.5 billion loan to restart a Michigan nuclear power plant, signaling support for the nuclear industry.
  2. Nat Bullard's Decarbonization presentation highlights climate change challenges, renewable energy growth, and investment opportunities in clean tech.
  3. Elon Musk's Neuralink achieves a milestone by implanting a brain interface, potentially advancing cognitive abilities and treating neurological disorders.

AI’s climate footprint, a nuclear renaissance, and the new climate subsidy wars 🔥

Climate Money • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment AI Nuclear Data Centers Decarbonization Climate change
  1. Global electricity demand from data centers is set to double in the next two years due to AI's growth.
  2. Nuclear industry is experiencing a significant moment with uranium prices reaching a 16-year high.
  3. There is a new competitive landscape in the global climate technology space with Europe's entry leading to climate subsidy wars.

Can Energy Security Trump Politics in Taiwan?

Taipology • 5 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Energy Taiwan Nuclear Decarbonization Security
  1. There are signs that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party is internally aware of the country's need for atomic energy despite their anti-nuclear legacy.
  2. Taiwan's energy policy may soon shift towards extending the operation of existing nuclear power plants to address short-term energy needs, but a long-term solution will require new nuclear builds.
  3. Leadership, consensus, and a shift in policy are needed to elevate the conversation around nuclear energy in Taiwan as a national security and economic issue rather than a political one.

New Business Lobby Pushes Japan Decarbonization

Japan Economy Watch • 0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Decarbonization Japan Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  1. Japan has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a significant shift from its previous timeline of 2050-2100.
  2. Japan's current reliance on coal for electricity and low carbon tax highlight the need for urgent action to address climate change.
  3. The Japan Climate Initiative, comprising 400 leading companies, is advocating for increased use of renewables to meet global business standards, putting pressure on Japan for real change.