The hottest Energy Efficiency Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The Cleantech Revolution

Renewable Revolution • 799 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Sustainability Fossil fuels Electrification Energy Efficiency
  1. The energy system is changing fast because of renewables, electrification, and efficiency. These changes are happening more quickly than many people think.
  2. Clean technology is getting cheaper and more popular, outpacing fossil fuels. Over the last decade, costs have dropped significantly and energy generation from sources like solar has grown a lot.
  3. Fossil fuels are on the decline. Renewables are set to take over energy generation, making it clear that we need to accelerate our shift to clean energy technologies.

The Incredible Inefficiency of the Fossil Energy System

Renewable Revolution • 339 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Efficiency Fossil fuels Renewable Energy Sustainability Environmental Policy
  1. Fossil fuel energy systems are really inefficient, wasting about two-thirds of energy before it even provides any benefit. This waste amounts to around $4.6 trillion every year.
  2. The main reason for this inefficiency is fossil fuels themselves, particularly in power plants and gas engines, which are responsible for almost half of the total energy waste globally.
  3. New technologies like renewables, local energy sources, and electric vehicles are becoming more efficient. They're replacing fossil fuels because they’re cost-effective and significantly reduce energy waste.

Running Neural Networks on Meshes of Light

The Asianometry Newsletter • 1522 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Neural Networks Energy Efficiency Implementation Challenges
  1. Human brain uses less energy than computers for similar tasks like running neural networks
  2. Silicon photonics can improve energy efficiency in running neural networks by replacing electrical connections with light-based ones
  3. Photonic meshes have potential for great power efficiency, but face challenges in accuracy and scalability

Hybrid Technology is better than ICE

TP’s Substack • 26 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles Aerospace Defense technology Energy Efficiency
  1. Hybrid technology, like plug-in hybrids, is better for many situations than traditional gasoline engines because they can be more efficient and provide longer ranges.
  2. Electrical systems in hybrid vehicles are more compact and can react faster, making them easier to integrate with advanced technology.
  3. There is growing interest in hybrid technology for various applications, including air travel and military vehicles, as they are seen as more efficient compared to fully battery electric options.
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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.

Strategies to Boost Heat Pump Adoption [Part II]

Volted: Electrify your Life • 98 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Sustainability Climate Policy Green Technology
  1. Installing high-efficiency heat pumps can lead to significant cost savings on heating bills.
  2. Engaging HVAC contractors and providing them with incentives and training is crucial for boosting heat pump adoption.
  3. Streamlining financing options through instant rebates and zero-interest loans can help make heat pumps more accessible to consumers.

The future of low-carbon heating is heat pumps

Sustainability by numbers • 261 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency Carbon Emissions Green Technology Government Policy
  1. Heat pumps are around 4 times more efficient than gas boilers, reducing heating emissions close to zero.
  2. Switching to heat pumps reduces gas demand even if all electricity comes from gas, making them effective in cutting emissions.
  3. Heat pumps are much more efficient than hydrogen for heating, requiring far less electricity to operate.

How much does aviation contribute to climate change? How will this change in the future?

Sustainability by numbers • 208 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Aviation Global Emissions Energy Efficiency Future Trends
  1. Aviation contributes around 3% of global emissions and is a challenging sector to decarbonize.
  2. Global passenger demand for flying has quadrupled since 1990.
  3. Future aviation emissions will depend on changes in demand, energy efficiency improvements, and adoption of low-carbon technologies.

How much more electricity will the UK need to switch to electric vehicles?

Sustainability by numbers • 188 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Electric Vehicles Energy consumption Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency
  1. Fully switching to electric cars in the UK would increase electricity demand by around one-quarter.
  2. Transitioning all road transport to electric would lead to a 40% increase in electricity demand in the UK.
  3. Shifting to electric transport significantly reduces overall energy demand due to the higher efficiency of electric vehicles compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.

Home Electrification Fights Climate Change

Warming Up to Climate Tech • 58 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy Efficiency
  1. Home electrification can help reduce carbon emissions by switching to electric-powered appliances and adopting cleaner energy sources.
  2. Electric appliances are more energy-efficient and cost-effective compared to fossil fuel appliances, saving money and reducing carbon emissions.
  3. Government incentives, like rebates and tax credits, encourage home electrification and promote the adoption of clean energy technologies.

Wen Babelfish? feat. Aron of SEMRON who is making an analog AI chip

State of the Future • 7 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Computing Semiconductors Energy Efficiency
  1. Edge AI needs efficient computing because it's important for energy conservation. The best designs will combine processing and storage to save power.
  2. CapRAM is a promising technology since it uses standard materials, making it easier and cheaper to produce. This could help it succeed where other technologies struggle.
  3. CapRAM could lead to smaller, more powerful edge devices by minimizing data movement and energy use. This means devices can perform better without overheating.

Steering Towards a Low Heat Economy

Anima Mundi • 20 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Efficiency Circular Economy Education & Policy
  1. Steering towards a Low Heat Economy involves understanding the impact of heat emissions from industries and cities on the environment.
  2. To build a Low Heat Economy, we need to focus on using alternative energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce heat emissions.
  3. Adopting circular economy principles and sustainable practices in agriculture are essential steps towards achieving a Low Heat Economy.

"Deep Learning is Rubbish" - Karl Friston & Yann LeCun Face Off at Davos 2024 World Economic Forum

Spatial Web AI by Denise Holt • 1 HN point • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Science Energy Efficiency
  1. Deep Learning has limitations that need to be addressed, according to experts at Davos 2024. AI systems need to enhance world models and prioritize energy efficiency.
  2. Friston and LeCun differ in their approaches to AI, highlighting the need for progress in developing human-like intelligence in machines.
  3. Real learning requires agency, active inference, and a focus on world models. VERSES AI presents a pathway to scalable, intelligent systems with sustainable energy use.

AI is contributing to a rise in energy demand; your child’s next toy could be powered by ChatGPT; AI will be a powerful tool for the future of work; will AI ever outsmart us?

Computerspeak by Alexandru Voica • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Renewable Energy Generative models Energy Efficiency AI Applications
  1. AI is contributing to a rise in energy demand, leading to challenges like increased electricity consumption and the unexpected need to delay closing coal-fired power plants in some areas.
  2. Investments in renewable energy are on the rise, with more funds now going into clean energy projects compared to traditional fossil fuels, showcasing a positive shift towards sustainability.
  3. Researchers are exploring spiking neural networks inspired by the brain's efficiency to reduce the energy footprint of AI, potentially opening doors to new applications like long-range search and rescue, prosthetics, and edge computing.

Two approaches to hydrogen electrolysis

cleanenergyreview • 0 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🔬 Science Renewable Energy Cost Analysis Energy Efficiency Green Technology
  1. Lower upfront costs for an efficient electrolysis system may not always lead to overall cost-effectiveness compared to a more expensive system that is cheaper to run over time.
  2. The choice between efficient yet expensive electrolysis systems and cheaper but less energy-efficient ones is influenced by factors like energy costs, utilization rates, and capital investments.
  3. The growing focus on green hydrogen production, powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar, is reshaping the energy landscape by making low-cost electrolysis approaches increasingly competitive.

Sadiq Khan's Third Term: Transforming London into a Zero-Carbon Capital

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 08 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Urban Development Sustainability Public Health Energy Efficiency
  1. Sadiq Khan wants to make London a zero-carbon city by 2030. This means cutting pollution and making the city cleaner for everyone.
  2. The plan includes building more affordable homes and providing free meals for young children. These steps aim to create a fairer city for all residents.
  3. London is part of a global movement to reduce emissions and improve air quality. This collaboration encourages cities to share ideas and work together for a healthier planet.

[in case you missed it] Data Science Weekly - Issue 238

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 18
🕹 Technology Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Data science Energy Efficiency Software Development
  1. Neural networks can struggle with humor if they don't have enough examples to learn from. More data might help them learn to tell better jokes.
  2. Machine learning is expected to become more effective on smaller devices, like smartphones, thanks to energy-efficient technologies. This could solve many current problems.
  3. Data cleaning is a big part of data science, often taking up to 80% of a person's time. Using tools like Python and Pandas can help make this process easier.

Ears to the ground: climate tech entrepreneurs and investors debate key drivers of sustainable business

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Tech Investing Startups Energy Efficiency
  1. Small companies are key drivers of climate innovation, leading with new technologies and ideas.
  2. Consumer preference and regulatory pressure are pushing large organizations towards sustainability and ESG impact.
  3. Investors are increasingly focused on environmental metrics and seeking sustainable investment opportunities.

Revolutionary AI Whitepaper Validated by New Neuroscience Breakthrough

Spatial Web AI by Denise Holt • 0 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Neuroscience Energy Efficiency Artificial General Intelligence Explainable AI
  1. The future of AI is moving towards shared, distributed intelligence where diverse nodes contribute to a collective system.
  2. Active Inference AI, based on the Free Energy Principle, mimics biological intelligence by updating internal models to minimize surprise and uncertainty, enabling more efficient learning.
  3. The VERSES AI whitepaper proposes a revolutionary approach to AI focusing on explainable, energy-efficient, and scalable intelligence, validated by recent neuroscience breakthroughs.

Becky Lane: "​In 2050, every home in the UK will be as energy efficient as possible"​

2050 • 0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Efficiency Sustainability Market Growth
  1. By 2050, every home in the UK should be as energy efficient as possible by minimizing energy usage for heating.
  2. Not every home may reach the highest energy efficiency ratings due to factors like age and build design, so focus on incremental improvements.
  3. To advance energy efficiency, consider policy requirements tied to housing tenures to drive investments and increase market demand.

Modular Peptide Nanotechnology

Splitting Infinity • 0 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🔬 Science Nanotechnology Proteins Energy Efficiency
  1. Proteins can be used in nanotechnology for various functions like constructing structures and manipulating light.
  2. Designing peptides separately for specific roles can speed up the protein design process by reducing costs and enhancing iteration capabilities.
  3. Combining specialized peptides into modular proteins offers new functionalities like staining cancer cells or filtering specific molecules from wastewater.

Equal Ventures Focus Area: Energy & Sustainability

Equal Ventures • 0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
💼 Business Investment Market Trends ESG Energy Efficiency Digital innovation
  1. Consumer consciousness around sustainable consumption is increasing, with some willing to pay more for green energy.
  2. State and municipal policies are driving regulatory changes focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
  3. There is growing interest and funding in environmental, social, and governance initiatives in the capital markets, particularly in ESG-focused funds.