The hottest Electricity Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Will Africa still be energy-poor in 2050?

Sustainability by numbers • 349 implied HN points • 17 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Electricity
  1. Under mainstream energy scenarios, electricity use per person in Africa will still be very low by 2050, leaving many people unable to power basic appliances or cool their homes.
  2. The key reason is weak economic growth — without stronger GDP and industrial development, electricity demand and access won’t rise much.
  3. Cheaper solar and storage can help lower costs, but they won’t close the gap by themselves; affordable power plus broad economic development are both needed to lift billions out of deep energy poverty.

The Shrinking Economic Weight of Energy

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1177 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Electricity
  1. Since 1970 the physical energy intensity of major fossil fuels has fallen sharply—about 70% for gasoline, 64% for natural gas, and 84% for coal—driven by 1970s price shocks, policy, technology, and a shift toward services.
  2. The 1970s were a turning point: economic growth began to decouple from rising fuel use so GDP could grow while physical fuel consumption fell, but the share of GDP spent on energy still swings with volatile global commodity prices.
  3. Coal now represents a vanishingly small share of the economy (around 0.1% of GDP) despite high political attention, while electricity’s intensity has declined less because the economy is electrifying and could rise again if EVs and AI data centers boost demand.

Does China have a huge electricity advantage over the United States?

Sustainability by numbers • 502 implied HN points • 05 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Electricity
  1. China uses most of its electricity for industry, while the US uses most of its electricity in homes and commercial services.
  2. China’s total electricity generation has grown rapidly and is much larger in absolute terms than the US, though the US still leads on overall per-person electricity use.
  3. Because China concentrates so much power in industry, its industrial electricity per person is similar to or slightly higher than the US, which points to real industrial capacity that simple per-capita comparisons can hide.

But good sir, what is electricity?

lcamtuf’s thing • 18977 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. Electricity is about how electrons interact with atoms. Electrons can move from one place to another, creating electric current in conductive materials like metals.
  2. Conductors, like metals, allow electrons to flow freely, while insulators hold onto their electrons tightly. This difference determines how well materials conduct electricity.
  3. The movement of electrons in a wire is what allows us to use electricity for various tasks. It can be quick, but individual electrons move slowly compared to the speed at which electrical signals travel.

4.4.2 The Catt Question

Fields & Energy • 319 implied HN points • 21 Aug 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. When a voltage is applied to a transmission line, it creates a net positive charge in the top wire and a net negative charge in the bottom wire. This happens as electrons move under the influence of the electric field set by the voltage.
  2. While it seems like charge must move quickly with the wavefront, it is actually the density of charges that changes. The actual movement of electrons is slow compared to the speed of light.
  3. Understanding how charges interact with electric fields helps explain electrical conductivity and related effects. Electromagnetic phenomena involve more than just moving charges; the interaction of fields and energy is also crucial.
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What happened on energy and climate in China this year?

Sustainability by numbers • 475 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Electricity
  1. China’s total CO2 emissions were basically flat this year, showing almost no growth despite rising energy demand.
  2. A huge buildout of renewables and nuclear pushed electricity emissions down and rapid EV adoption cut oil use in transport, backed by a massive rollout of chargers.
  3. Industrial emissions rose and new coal plants are still being built, which offsets some gains and makes the timing of an emissions peak uncertain.

What's the deal with magnetic fields?

lcamtuf’s thing • 4897 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. Electric fields are easy to understand because they involve the forces between charged particles, like how magnets attract or repel each other. This basic concept helps explain how electricity works in circuits.
  2. Magnetic fields can be confusing because they seem separate from electric fields, but they are connected through the concept of relativity. When things move, their distances and timings can change, affecting how we see electric and magnetic effects.
  3. Understanding that moving charges create magnetic fields helps simplify the whole idea. It's all about how motion changes our perspective on distance and forces between charges.

4.3 Actions at a Distance: Fluids or Fields?

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 10 Jul 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. Electricity can't really be thought of as a fluid. It has unique properties that can't be explained by the fluid model, especially in AC systems.
  2. Capacitors and inductors operate using electric and magnetic fields rather than fluids. This makes it easier to understand how they work.
  3. Transformers also rely on these fields. Their functionality shows that electric effects can occur at a distance, which a fluid model fails to explain.

4.2.1 Ancient Views

Fields & Energy • 319 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. Ancient civilizations had early insights about magnets and electricity. For example, Thales discovered static electricity from amber and believed magnets had a 'soul' because they moved metal.
  2. The compass became crucial for navigation by the sixteenth century. Mariners relied on it heavily, and misdirecting a ship was seriously punished, reflecting the compass's importance.
  3. William Gilbert made significant contributions to the understanding of magnetism and electricity. He proposed that the Earth is like a giant magnet and identified various materials that produce electric effects.

4.2.2 Fluid Theories of Electricity

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 03 Jul 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. Electricity was thought to behave like a fluid that could flow through conductors, which helped scientists understand how it could be transmitted over distances.
  2. Benjamin Franklin proposed a one-fluid theory of electricity, categorizing electricity into 'positive' and 'negative' charges, which laid the groundwork for future electrical theories.
  3. Alessandro Volta created the first battery, making it possible to study electricity as a continuous flow, leading to advancements in electrical science and technology.

The grid part II - the golden age of the power industry

Construction Physics • 11274 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. In the 1930s, federal projects like the Hoover Dam increased electrification and capacity, but growth slowed due to the Great Depression.
  2. Post-World War II saw the Golden Age of the electric power industry with massive growth in electricity generation, consumption, and industry assets.
  3. The end of the Golden Age came in the late 1960s due to factors like environmental concerns, technical challenges, and the 1973 energy crisis, leading to rising costs and stagnation.

4.2 Early Models of Electricity

Fields & Energy • 179 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. Electricity can be understood in two ways: as a fluid traveling through wires or as fields in the space around electric charges. This is still a big question in physics.
  2. Different cultures have unique approaches to explaining scientific concepts. For example, English physicists use hands-on models, while French scientists prefer abstract theories.
  3. Benjamin Franklin was key in shaping the idea that electricity is a single fluid. This foundational concept helps us still today in understanding electricity and electronics.

"On Action At a Distance"

Fields & Energy • 219 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. There are debates about how forces act over distances. Some people think there's a hidden connection, while others believe that objects can directly affect each other without any medium.
  2. Here’s a fun example: when you ring a bell using a wire, the movement happens gradually, showing that actions often involve a series of connections, not just instant forces.
  3. Scientists like Faraday introduced the idea of 'lines of force' to visualize these actions. Instead of just thinking about pushes and pulls, we can now understand force as stretching and pressing through a medium.

476: Boring Success, Microsoft CapEx, LVMH, Nvidia, Data Center Electricity, Spotify & Joe Rogan, Tesla Model 3 Refresh, and Dragon Prince

Liberty’s Highlights • 412 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Electricity
  1. Compete in life with kindness, creativity, and resilience, not just success.
  2. Success in one area can enable you to take risks and be more adventurous in other aspects of life.
  3. Electricity consumption from data centers, AI, and crypto is expected to double by 2026, impacting energy needs significantly.

3.3 Potentials, Energy, & Fields

Fields & Energy • 239 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. There's a debate in science about how we understand forces, like whether they act at a distance or through fields in space. Two main theories exist: one says forces happen instantly, while the other suggests they spread out gradually.
  2. George Green, a self-taught baker turned mathematician, made important contributions to the math behind electromagnetism. His work, which included ideas about electric potential and field theory, changed how we study these forces.
  3. Fields and potentials are two simple ways to describe how electricity and magnetism work. They help us understand how energy moves and behaves in different situations, like around charges or between capacitor plates.

How does geothermal energy work, and why don’t we use it more?

Sustainability by numbers • 294 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Electricity
  1. Geothermal energy is mostly untapped, even though there's a lot of heat under the Earth's surface. It only provides about 0.3% of the world's electricity, which is quite low considering its potential.
  2. There are different types of geothermal energy like shallow heat for home heating and deep heat for electricity generation. However, to produce electricity, we need very high temperatures which are only found in certain areas of the world.
  3. Despite being cost-effective in the long run, geothermal projects have high initial costs and risks, making investment less appealing. Government support for geothermal energy is also not as strong as for other renewable sources.

End the Week with THB

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 873 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💰 Finance Electricity
  1. Transmission line deployments in the US may not meet expected levels, urging a need for spreadsheet updates.
  2. Anticipate a significant rise in energy demand globally based on current trends.
  3. China's energy consumption growth demonstrates the country's significant stake in the global energy landscape.

State-by-state electricity mixes and prices in the United States

Sustainability by numbers • 279 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Electricity
  1. There are interactive slide decks available that show how electricity sources and prices vary across different states in the US. This makes it easy for people to understand where their electricity comes from.
  2. The slide decks get updated with new data to reflect changes in energy policy and the electricity market over time. It's helpful for anyone interested in seeing the latest trends and figures.
  3. Users can freely explore the data on electricity mixes and prices without needing permission, promoting accessibility and awareness about energy consumption.

Foundations of Physical Theory: Function of Models

Fields & Energy • 3 HN points • 02 Sep 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. Models in physics help us understand complex ideas by simplifying them into more relatable forms. They allow us to reason about things we can't observe directly.
  2. It's important to consider the medium through which forces act, rather than just thinking of actions at a distance. This helps explain phenomena like electricity and magnetism more clearly.
  3. Using analogies can be helpful in learning new concepts, but we must be careful not to confuse them with the actual properties of the things we are studying.

The Electricity Transmission Challenge

Climateer • 907 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. Moving electricity around is challenging because we need capacity at every location always.
  2. US needs more transmission capacity due to increasing electricity demands and changing energy sources.
  3. Building new transmission lines in the US is difficult due to a messy planning system and lack of coordination.

What We Can Know About This Winter

Think Future • 79 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Electricity
  1. Government shutdowns are looming as the GOP hardliners are pushing for their own agenda, potentially leading to legislative hurdles.
  2. Trump's legal battles might significantly impact his future, with his civil fraud case being a key factor to watch out for.
  3. The winter forecast indicates a snowier season, which could pose challenges to the power grid, so it's important to be prepared.

The Breakthrough in Fusion We've All Been Waiting For

Gordian Knot News • 190 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🔬 Science Electricity
  1. 90 odd power plants in the country are n-U fusion reactors, creating electricity with an engineering gain of about 18.
  2. Operators of these fusion plants are advised to apply for a Section 30 license from the NRC quickly or contact their state regulatory agency if in an Agreement State.
  3. The breakthrough in fusion we've been waiting for involves the significant engineering gains of n-U fusion reactors, surpassing other fusion concepts in terms of proven efficiency.

Regulation's Role in Stifling Innovation

Knowledge Problem • 39 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Electricity
  1. Regulation based on cost recovery stifles innovation by not focusing on value creation
  2. Traditional economic regulation in the electricity industry is static and not adaptive to dynamic environments
  3. Regulatory institutions need to evolve towards promoting competition and consumer information for innovation and value creation

The world has enough minerals for low-carbon electricity

Sustainability by numbers • 178 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Electricity
  1. There are enough minerals for low-carbon electricity systems, but issues may arise with mine construction and geopolitical risks.
  2. Most materials needed for decarbonization are available, with demand being a small fraction of global reserves for the majority of minerals.
  3. Building low-carbon electricity infrastructure will require some increase in global production, but the embedded carbon emissions are relatively low compared to using fossil fuels.