The hottest Energy Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Putin's Two Chernobyls

Diane Francis • 619 implied HN points • 05 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Nuclear Issues International relations Energy Policy
  1. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine is at risk of a meltdown due to war tensions. This could lead to widespread radioactive contamination in Europe, similar to the Chernobyl disaster.
  2. Putin's actions are seen as a form of terrorism, using the nuclear plant as a weapon against Europe. By controlling the plant, he threatens European nations to gain leverage in negotiations.
  3. The global community is very concerned about the safety of nuclear plants in Ukraine. Countries like Japan and the US have called for Russia to return control of these facilities to Ukraine to avoid further disaster.

Don't let wind power be blown out

GEM Energy Analytics • 179 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar Power Energy Policy Sustainability
  1. Wind and solar energy work well together, especially because they produce power at different times of the year. This balance is important for a reliable energy system.
  2. The wind energy industry is facing challenges like rising costs and lower investor confidence, making it harder to reach energy goals in the EU.
  3. Solar energy is booming, but if we lean too much towards it, we might mess up the balance with wind energy. Both are needed for creating green hydrogen and meeting heating demands effectively.

Volatility - a new normal in day-ahead markets

GEM Energy Analytics • 259 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Electricity Markets Sustainability Energy Policy
  1. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are rapidly increasing in Europe, with goals set to nearly double their capacity by 2030. This is important because it shows a big shift towards cleaner energy.
  2. The electricity market is experiencing more volatility, making it harder to balance supply and demand. This means that energy prices can change a lot, sometimes going negative when there's too much renewable energy and not enough demand.
  3. To deal with these changes, strategies like energy storage, demand-side response, and dynamic pricing are becoming increasingly important. These can help manage when and how energy is used to keep the power system stable.

EU-topia, Wake Up

Diane Francis • 559 implied HN points • 28 Jul 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International Affairs Military Strategy Energy Policy Foreign Relations
  1. Putin has been using gas supply issues as a weapon against Europe, causing a crisis. Europe is now working on plans to save energy and lessen reliance on Russian gas.
  2. European leaders are starting to understand the serious threat from Putin and are taking steps to unify against him. They are acknowledging the need for a coordinated response to support Ukraine.
  3. There is a growing military presence in Europe, with NATO increasing troops to deter further Russian aggression. The situation in Ukraine is critical for Europe's security, and unity is essential to prevent a wider conflict.

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.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Grid Upgrade - Part 2: what lies ahead

GEM Energy Analytics • 139 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Renewable Energy Infrastructure Environmental Impact
  1. The electricity grid is growing slowly and facing congestion. This means it may get overcrowded and not work as well as it should.
  2. Local opposition can delay grid projects, making them take longer and cost more. People sometimes do not want new lines near their homes, which leads to complications.
  3. Grid fees are likely to increase as upgrades are needed. As more money is spent on improving the grid, utility bills may go up for everyone.

The energy transition in five charts

Renewable Revolution • 219 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Sustainability Climate change Energy Policy Environmental Impact
  1. The switch to renewable energy is all about using better technology. Renewables like solar and wind are cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient than fossil fuels.
  2. Renewable energy growth isn’t slow and steady; it’s growing quickly in an exponential way. This means countries and companies need to move fast to keep up.
  3. China is leading the way in renewable energy technology. Their advancements are setting the pace for other countries like the U.S. and those in Europe.

X-change: Electricity

Renewable Revolution • 159 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Climate change Sustainability Energy Policy Environmental Economics
  1. Solar and wind energy are growing really fast, but we need to speed up even more to hit climate goals. Continuous growth is happening, and it's pretty exciting!
  2. Even though there are obstacles, the reasons for switching to renewable energy are stronger. Solutions are everywhere, and they're outpacing the barriers we're facing.
  3. The fossil fuel era is coming to an end. By 2030, renewable energy could produce a lot more electricity than fossil fuels, and it’s crucial we keep pushing for change.

Frogs, liverwurst & spaghetti

Diane Francis • 439 implied HN points • 20 Jun 22
🌍 World Politics Energy Policy European Union Military Strategy Food security Economic Sanctions
  1. Europe is facing serious problems with energy, food, and cost of living due to the war in Ukraine. Countries like France, Germany, and Italy are realizing they must work together to support Ukraine and their citizens.
  2. Rising prices and energy shortages are causing anger among voters across Europe. These issues are becoming important topics in upcoming elections and are making it harder for leaders to govern.
  3. To solve their problems, European countries need to find alternative energy sources and help Ukraine more. It's crucial for them to increase military support to fight back against Russian aggression.

Germany's Folly

Diane Francis • 539 implied HN points • 27 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics International relations Energy Policy Nuclear Energy European Politics Geopolitics
  1. Germany is shutting down its nuclear plants, which is risky. This decision has made them rely more on energy from Russia.
  2. The move away from nuclear energy could harm Germany and Europe in the long run. It's raising concerns about energy security.
  3. This situation highlights the challenges of energy policy and its consequences on a country's independence and safety.

Solar and market prices: focus on Southeast Europe

GEM Energy Analytics • 139 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar Power Market Analysis Energy Policy
  1. Southeast Europe has a lot of potential for solar energy, especially in Greece, which could become a major supplier of green electricity to Europe.
  2. Solar energy production is expected to grow rapidly in the region, leading to high price fluctuations in day-ahead markets due to varying solar output.
  3. Greece is pushing for better electricity connections with neighboring countries to export its excess solar energy and support the transition away from fossil fuels.

Putin-flation

Diane Francis • 359 implied HN points • 07 Jul 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics International relations Economic Policy War Politics Energy Policy
  1. Russia's actions have led to severe inflation in many countries, impacting economies worldwide. This inflation is more harmful than some sanctions against Russia.
  2. Germany is particularly affected due to its heavy reliance on Russian energy. This dependence has harmed its economy and could lead to significant challenges this winter.
  3. While many countries face economic downturns, the U.S. is less impacted due to its resources. Still, experts predict that the U.S. may enter a recession soon.

Gulf and Golf Wars

Diane Francis • 339 implied HN points • 13 Jun 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Geopolitics Human Rights Energy Policy International relations
  1. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is influencing global politics and sports, using his power and money to gain respect and support from the U.S.
  2. President Biden is in a tough position, needing Saudi Arabia's help to lower gas prices and secure oil, especially as tensions rise with Russia and China.
  3. Phil Mickelson's involvement in a Saudi-backed golf tour highlights how sports can be used to improve a country's image, despite serious human rights issues.

Taiwan’s Power Crunch vs AI Ambitions

Taipology • 22 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Data Centers Energy Policy Nuclear power Infrastructure
  1. Taiwan aims to develop its own AI called 'Sovereign AI,' but it faces challenges in powering the necessary data centers.
  2. Currently, Taiwan struggles with electricity supply, limiting its ability to support large data centers needed for AI development.
  3. The government could restart mothballed nuclear reactors to increase power supply, which may be crucial for Taiwan to keep up with global AI advancements.

Nyhetsbrev steigan.no 04.11.2024

steigan.no • 7 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Health Policy Elections Military Affairs Energy Policy
  1. Mossad was reportedly spying on Italy's Prime Minister Meloni, raising serious concerns about national security and privacy. This has led to calls for an investigation by Italian authorities.
  2. Idaho has decided to stop offering COVID-19 vaccines in its health clinics, which is seen as a historical move reflecting growing skepticism about vaccine safety. This could signal a shift in public health policy across the U.S.
  3. A Ukrainian veteran warned that Ukraine needs to mobilize a significant number of troops soon or face potential defeat. This highlights the urgent and dire situation facing the Ukrainian military in the ongoing conflict.

Biden Blinks

Diane Francis • 359 implied HN points • 08 Jul 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Biden administration Energy Policy
  1. Biden's decision to waive sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been criticized as a major mistake, as it benefits Russia and threatens Ukraine's security.
  2. Putin has taken aggressive actions against Ukraine and the U.S. in response to perceived weakness from Biden, which has raised concerns in both countries.
  3. There are discussions about how to prevent Russia from using energy as a tool for coercion, but many believe these measures won't be effective against a determined Putin.

Monthly captured values of solar in selected EU countries

GEM Energy Analytics • 79 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar Power Market Analysis Energy Policy
  1. Spain is rapidly increasing its solar energy capacity, expecting to reach over 77 GW by 2026. However, it faces challenges in exporting excess energy due to its limited connections to other countries.
  2. Greece is also expanding its solar capacity, aiming for 15.9 GW by 2026. It is better connected to neighboring countries than Spain, but rising solar energy shares are affecting local prices.
  3. The 'cannibalization factor' shows how much solar energy prices are pressured down by increased solar generation. In both Spain and Greece, this factor has been decreasing over time.

What was the French-German spat on energy really about?

Jérôme à Paris • 72 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Energy Policy International Agreements Nuclear Energy Renewable Energy
  1. France and Germany found a compromise on energy issues that balanced symbolic and practical aspects.
  2. The debate between the two countries involved elements like energy prices and nuclear energy.
  3. The disagreement between France and Germany highlighted cultural and policy differences in energy strategies.

Two Climate Change Stories to Read This Week

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Greenwashing Health Effects Energy Policy Environmental Impact
  1. Greenwashing is when companies pretend to be environmentally friendly, while still harming the planet. Recently, Shell's ads were banned because they didn't show their actual impact on the environment.
  2. The EU is cracking down on misleading claims about products' environmental friendliness. Many companies have been caught giving vague or false information about how green their products really are.
  3. Extreme heat is becoming a serious health problem, especially for pregnant women and newborns. High temperatures can cause various health issues and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.

NEM 3.0 is good, actually

cleanenergyreview • 0 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar Power Energy Policy Environmental Impact
  1. The transition to NEM 3.0 in California initially caused short-term decline in solar installations, but aims for a healthier market in the long term.
  2. NEM 3.0 shifts towards an 'Avoided Cost Calculator' for new solar installations, aiming to better reflect underlying energy costs and values, especially for peak times.
  3. While NEM 3.0 impacts the value of PV-only systems, the installation of PV + BESS systems can still hold significant value and be beneficial, leading to the next phase of distributed energy management growth in California.

How to fund and launch your renewable energy project

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Sustainability Energy Policy Investment Trends
  1. Renewable energy is growing fast due to high fuel costs and government support. This creates good opportunities for investments and projects in this sector.
  2. To successfully launch a renewable project, focus on reducing risks, securing land and permits, and proving energy resources. Having these ready makes it easier to attract investors.
  3. Clear communication is key. Present your project simply and acknowledge your weaknesses so investors can see you are trustworthy and realistic.