The hottest Energy Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Solar capture price in Germany: details on 2023 and prospects for 2024

GEM Energy Analytics • 339 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Solar energy in Germany shows strong seasonal patterns, with the best month generating up to 12 times more power than the worst month. This means energy production is not consistent throughout the year.
  2. The average solar capture price in 2023 is 72 €/MWh, which is a capture rate of 75%. However, this rate is expected to decline in 2024 due to the increase in solar capacity.
  3. Germany is rapidly expanding its solar capacity, aiming for 215 GW by 2030. This increased capacity can lead to lower energy prices, especially during times of high solar generation.

X-Change: Batteries

Renewable Revolution • 299 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Battery demand is rising rapidly. Sales are doubling every few years, and this growth will help reduce fossil fuel use significantly.
  2. As battery production increases, costs go down and quality improves. This creates a cycle where more sectors start using batteries, from cars to energy storage.
  3. The push for battery technology is a global effort. Countries around the world are adopting and investing in batteries, which is crucial for reaching climate goals.

🌞☁️ Pro-growthers are having a moment. But so are degrowthers

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. There is a growing movement called 'Up Wing' that focuses on progress and abundance. This movement includes people from both sides of the political spectrum who want to see technological advancements.
  2. Factors like AI, nuclear energy acceptance, and competition with China are helping this movement gain strength. These elements create a push for new tech and policies that encourage innovation.
  3. However, there are still strong opposing views known as 'Down Wing', which challenge the focus on growth and progress. This resistance shows that not everyone agrees on how to approach the future.

Who Blew Up Putin's Pipelines?

Diane Francis • 719 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. Several countries, including the U.S., Norway, and Ukraine, are being investigated for their possible roles in the explosions that destroyed Russian pipelines under the Baltic Sea. Each of these countries has denied involvement but also had reasons to benefit from the pipelines' destruction.
  2. Seymour Hersh, an investigative journalist, suggested that U.S. Navy divers planted explosives during a NATO exercise. The allegations sparked a debate, with various parties pointing fingers at each other, but no definitive proof has surfaced yet.
  3. The issue of insurance for the pipelines plays a significant role in this mystery. Depending on who is found responsible for the explosions, it could impact financial claims, potentially benefiting or hurting Russia's Gazprom.

⚡ What will power the future US economy?

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. Encouraging clean energy is important for the future economy. A good way to support this is through a carbon tax and removing unnecessary regulations.
  2. There's a proposal to end some subsidies for alternative fuels, while introducing a carbon tax that would go up over time. This could help make cleaner energy more competitive.
  3. It's tough to predict the best mix of energy sources years into the future. Relying on experts to decide specific energy goals may not be the best approach.
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Baseload price and the support to renewables

GEM Energy Analytics • 259 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Germany's energy market has seen a shift where renewable energy support is now funded by the federal budget instead of consumers. This change eases the financial burden on consumers.
  2. The price for electricity from renewables is influenced by baseload prices. Lower baseload prices can increase the financial needs for funding renewable projects.
  3. Support mechanisms like feed-in tariffs and market premiums help renewable producers when market prices drop. However, these systems also mean that funding needs can fluctuate with market prices.

The IEA's World Energy Outlook 2023

Renewable Revolution • 339 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Renewable energy is quickly growing and could supply half of all power by 2030. Electric vehicles are also set to increase significantly on the roads.
  2. China's demand for energy is slowing down, which is important because it has been a major factor in global energy growth. This could change where energy demand comes from.
  3. By 2030, we are likely to see big changes in the energy system. The transition to clean energy is already happening, and more investment is needed to reach climate goals.

Energy policy, politics, facts and narratives

Jérôme à Paris • 461 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. People often join groups that share their ideas, which can limit their understanding of complex topics like energy policy. It's easy to get stuck in a mindset when everyone around you thinks the same way.
  2. The energy sector is changing rapidly, leading to fear and uncertainty. Many are used to traditional energy sources and don't know how to adapt to newer options like electric vehicles, which can create hesitation.
  3. The ongoing debate about energy often reflects larger issues of fairness and efficiency. Some believe new solutions will benefit everyone, while others worry about being left behind or losing out.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #22

Faster, Please! • 639 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. A semiconductor plant in Arizona is performing better than one in Taiwan, which is good news for US manufacturing growth. This means the US is making strides in producing important tech products domestically.
  2. Construction productivity is struggling, showing negative growth for decades. Long approval times and strict regulations are hurting the industry's efficiency.
  3. More Democrats are starting to support nuclear power as a cleaner energy source. This shift is important for addressing climate change and meeting energy demands, as even major tech companies back nuclear projects.

Top Links 588 The looming oil glut of 2025. The railroad on the wrong side of Trump's tariff plans. The Christmas tree disaster in N Carolina.

Chartbook • 500 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💰 Finance Energy Policy
  1. There might be a big oversupply of oil by 2025. This is because OPEC+ is having trouble managing production limits.
  2. Some railroads are struggling due to tariffs from Trump. This could impact their business in the long run.
  3. North Carolina is facing a disaster with its Christmas tree production. This situation could affect both local farmers and holiday traditions.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #25

Faster, Please! • 548 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. AI is creating a big boom in US construction, especially for data centers. Spending on these centers has grown a lot since the launch of ChatGPT.
  2. The US government has plans to triple its nuclear power by 2050. This is to keep up with the demand for clean energy as AI and industries grow.
  3. There is a push for a new research initiative to support advanced science fields like quantum computing. This aims to keep the US ahead in technology against competitive countries.

Suggestions to reform the German electricity market

Jérôme à Paris • 534 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. Germany needs to redesign its electricity market to make it more efficient and environmentally friendly. This means achieving reliable power delivery at the lowest cost while reducing carbon emissions.
  2. Renewable energy sources should not get special treatment, as they can already produce power at low costs. Instead, the focus should be on balancing supply and demand effectively without unnecessary subsidies.
  3. Smart meters must be rolled out faster to help households adjust their energy use and production. This would allow them to save money and contribute to a more stable electricity system.

The Solar Buildout

Syncretica • 314 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🔬 Science Energy Policy
  1. Building solar power in regions with high sun hours is more economical and efficient.
  2. Solar power can be strategically placed based on demand, like in coastal regions with high air conditioning demand.
  3. Transitioning to solar power impacts traditional energy sources like gas and coal, potentially leading to energy independence.

Solar cannibalization: more details

GEM Energy Analytics • 399 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Solar energy is growing rapidly, but it faces a challenge called solar cannibalization, where high production leads to lower market prices. This means that when solar output is high, producers earn less money.
  2. The effect of solar cannibalization is expected to increase as more solar capacity comes online, especially during sunny months when energy supply exceeds demand. This could result in financial strain for solar power projects.
  3. Solutions that help manage electricity demand, like flexible uses of power and smart technology, may not be enough to balance the market. Policymakers need to better understand these dynamics as solar capacity expands.

Japan and Climate, Not As Bad As It Looks, Part II

Japan Economy Watch • 279 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Japan played a significant role in pioneering solar energy and electric vehicles, contributing to the fight against climate change.
  2. The 2010 Strategic Energy Plan in Japan aimed to increase low-carbon electricity, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and promote renewable energy and nuclear power.
  3. The Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan led to policy changes, shifts in energy sources, and a new political focus on climate-friendly initiatives.

Top Links 577 Smuggling oil. Bolivia's mounting crisis. Digging deeper for copper & art prices in the long run.

Chartbook • 429 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Energy Policy
  1. There is an ongoing issue of oil smuggling, especially involving imports to China from Iran and Venezuela, where they are labeled as coming from Malaysia.
  2. Bolivia is experiencing a significant crisis that is impacting its stability and economy.
  3. There's a trend of exploring deeper insights into the long-term pricing of copper and art, indicating a shift in how these markets might evolve.

The "Cost" of LNT

Gordian Knot News • 131 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🔬 Science Energy Policy
  1. The cost of LNT (Linear No-Threshold) is hard to determine because it's a complicated question with many possible answers. Different views on what LNT means can lead to wildly different conclusions.
  2. Replacing LNT with a different radiation harm model could lead to lower costs for nuclear power. If we understand how our bodies can heal from radiation, it might make nuclear energy safer and more affordable.
  3. If we improve the regulatory and insurance systems for nuclear power, we might lower costs significantly. This could make nuclear energy a cheaper and more reliable option for everyone.

The imperfect LCOE and CfD

GEM Energy Analytics • 439 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. LCOE is not a reliable measure for wind and solar energy. It can mislead comparisons and decisions about energy costs.
  2. The value of electricity changes over time, especially for renewables. When the sun is shining or the wind is blowing, electricity prices can drop, making more generation less valuable.
  3. Support programs like Contract-for-Difference (CfD) might help producers but can hurt the overall system. They do not encourage efficient energy production based on market prices.

EU Needs 205 Billion Euros for 11 GW's of Nukes

Gordian Knot News • 161 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. The EU plans to spend 205 billion Euros to add 11 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2050. This huge expense raises questions about the cost-effectiveness of nuclear power.
  2. A European Commissioner believes nuclear energy is crucial for a clean energy system, but there are doubts about whether this investment will actually benefit the EU's energy costs and competitiveness.
  3. The high prices for building nuclear plants could make it hard for industries to operate in Europe, especially when other countries offer much cheaper energy options.

The Two Lies that killed Nuclear Power 2.0

Gordian Knot News • 300 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🔬 Science Energy Policy
  1. Nuclear power has been hurt by two major misconceptions: that major accidents are unlikely and any release of radiation would be disastrous. Both ideas oversimplify complex realities.
  2. The belief that all radiation exposure is harmful has led to expensive safety measures in nuclear plants, making them less competitive against cheaper energy sources like oil and coal.
  3. Evidence shows that our bodies can repair some damage from radiation and that low-level exposure doesn't necessarily lead to serious health issues, challenging common fears about nuclear safety.

Toxic Avengers

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. The administration is rolling back chemical and environmental safeguards and reallowing toxic substances like paraquat, chlorpyrifos, and PFAS, which will raise cancer, neurological, and developmental harms.
  2. These policy changes will hit farmworkers, low-income and minority communities hardest and contaminate water and food for millions, creating huge long-term health and cleanup costs other countries are trying to avoid.
  3. The drive to deregulate is driven by prioritizing corporate profit and political power over public health, treating harm as an acceptable externality and sustained by misinformation and loyalist support rather than rational self-interest.

Fortress North America

Diane Francis • 679 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. Germany's move to stop using nuclear power made it depend on Russian energy, highlighting how important energy independence is for countries. Now, many are reconsidering their energy policies.
  2. North America could work better together to manage its energy resources and reduce reliance on OPEC countries. By teaming up, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico could supply energy to themselves and help allies like Europe.
  3. Fossil fuels will still be necessary for a long time, and using a mix of energy sources, including renewables and nuclear, is realistic. Proper planning can help reduce emissions while still meeting energy needs.

Market price and solar: a simple model

GEM Energy Analytics • 219 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. As solar energy grows, market prices for electricity tend to drop. This happens because more solar energy can lead to overproduction, causing prices to fall.
  2. There's a limit to how much solar energy can be valuable. If too many solar panels are added, the overall market value can actually go down, which means the captured value for producers diminishes.
  3. The way consumers use electricity will change, but it's not easy. They might shift their usage to match solar energy production, but many obstacles could prevent this from happening.

the teutonic tragedy

bad cattitude • 251 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. Germany's energy prices have skyrocketed, mainly due to heavy reliance on renewable resources that are unreliable. This is causing significant challenges for industries that need stable electricity.
  2. The EU's economy is struggling overall, with German GDP stagnating since 2017. This highlights a larger issue within the EU's economic framework.
  3. There's a growing discontent with government policies in Germany, leading to support for populist parties that promise to restore cheaper energy and address immigration issues.

☢️ Germany’s lost nuclear decade: A Quick Q&A with … energy researcher Jan Emblemsvåg

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Germany's decision to move away from nuclear power has resulted in significant financial losses and missed opportunities for cleaner energy. They could have saved a lot of money while maintaining their energy production.
  2. Public fear from past nuclear disasters, like Chernobyl and Fukushima, greatly influenced Germany's reluctance to rely on nuclear energy. This created strong political pressure against it over the years.
  3. Recently, there are signs that Germany might reconsider its stance on nuclear power due to rising energy costs and the diminishing influence of anti-nuclear political parties. Changes could happen in future elections.

Will The Big Ugly Bill Crush Your Solarpunk Dreams?

OK Doomer • 111 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. The new bill in Congress is set to end a significant tax credit for rooftop solar, making it harder for people to invest in solar energy. Without this incentive, fewer homeowners might choose to install solar panels.
  2. Rising energy bills and energy dependence on utility companies are leaving people with tough choices about their energy future. Some may feel like giving up and looking for alternative ways to live off the grid.
  3. Even those who oppose green energy might be affected, as the attack on renewable energy could disrupt the power grid. This situation highlights the importance of paying attention to energy policies for everyone.

The solar cannibalization effect

GEM Energy Analytics • 359 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Solar energy is growing quickly in Europe, with expectations to reach significant capacity by 2030. This could lead to solar generation being a large part of the electricity supply.
  2. As more solar energy is produced, captured prices for electricity are decreasing because solar generates more when prices are lower. This is called the cannibalization effect.
  3. To deal with the challenges of lower prices and a high concentration of solar power, solutions like energy storage and flexible systems are needed, but the necessary regulations are still catching up.

Where to put solar for maximal emissions reduction?

GEM Energy Analytics • 199 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Solar panels help reduce carbon emissions, but the best place to put them matters a lot. Areas that rely heavily on coal or gas for power see bigger benefits when switching to solar.
  2. The amount of energy a solar panel can produce depends on where it is installed. For example, sunnier places generate more energy, meaning they can offset more emissions.
  3. The environmental impact also varies based on how solar panels are made and installed. In some cases, it can take just a few months to offset emissions, while in others, it might take many years.

Green Hydrogen, bidding zones, and the green grid exception

GEM Energy Analytics • 139 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  1. Green hydrogen production in Europe must meet strict rules to ensure it's sourced from renewable energy. These rules include standards for additionality, geographic, and temporal correlation to confirm the electricity is genuinely green.
  2. The 'green grid' exception allows hydrogen producers in certain high-renewable bidding zones to bypass some of these strict rules. This means they can count their hydrogen as renewable without developing additional renewable energy sources.
  3. As European countries consider increasing the number of bidding zones, there are concerns that this might lead to less efficient use of renewable electricity. It's important to ensure that the hydrogen production doesn’t divert green energy from more direct uses like heating or electric vehicles.

Putin's Two Chernobyls

Diane Francis • 619 implied HN points • 05 Sep 22
🌍 World Politics 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.

Top Links 542 King coal. How Europe is still buying Russian gas. Big money is not speaking up for Harris & the Empresa de China.

Chartbook • 329 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Energy Policy
  1. Europe is still buying Russian gas despite the ongoing conflict, showing a complicated relationship with energy sources.
  2. Global coal consumption has hit record highs due to rising electricity demand around the world.
  3. There seems to be a lack of support from major investors for politicians like Harris and companies like Empresa de China.

Links to Consider, 10/31/2024

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. There are concerns about universities becoming less helpful and more like madrassas, which could harm scientific progress. Some people think we need to seriously rethink how universities operate.
  2. A new app called SocialAI lets users interact with AI-generated comments, creating a fake social network experience. This raises concerns about loneliness and real connections in our increasingly digital lives.
  3. Many men today feel that dating is harder and that their identities are being criticized. Surveys show that while people support gender equality, some men are feeling unwanted and frustrated.

Don't let wind power be blown out

GEM Energy Analytics • 179 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  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 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 Energy Policy
  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.

Can Jeremy Corbyn save HS3?

Odds and Ends of History • 67 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Energy Policy
  1. Jeremy Corbyn and Zara Sultana are starting a new political party focused on housing and energy issues. They want to address the concerns of the populist left.
  2. The podcast discusses two housing projects in Peckham and Edgware, showing how affordable housing influences community decisions.
  3. Former nuclear minister Philip Hunt shares insights on energy projects like Sizewell C and the need for Britain's energy future.

Grid Upgrade - Part 1: the reasons

GEM Energy Analytics • 139 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  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.

Grid Upgrade - Part 2: what lies ahead

GEM Energy Analytics • 139 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy
  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 Energy Policy
  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.