The hottest Energy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Irina Slav on energy β€’ 982 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 24
  1. Tanker traffic in the Red Sea is being disrupted due to missile strikes between the Houthis and the Combined Military Forces, leading to rerouted vessels and rising prices.
  2. Container freight rates for vessels traveling to Europe from Asia have reached a 15-month high, with fears of the situation worsening.
  3. Higher shipping prices and emissions are a consequence of vessels avoiding the Red Sea route, affecting the cost of various goods and causing some companies to switch from ships to planes.
The Crucial Years β€’ 906 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jan 24
  1. Protest outside the Department of Energy in early February against permitting new LNG export terminals
  2. Arguments against granting new export licenses include high greenhouse gas emissions and negative impact on local communities
  3. Participate in peaceful civil disobedience or support rallies, with options for training sessions and online nonviolence training
Sustainability by numbers β€’ 284 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 24
  1. Low-carbon energy is more secure compared to fossil fuels due to different risk factors.
  2. Fossil fuel supplies pose an energy security risk due to being fuels that can be cut off or become expensive, impacting a country's energy security.
  3. Mineral inequities for clean energy transition are a separate issue, as expensive minerals may slow down the transition but do not impact the operation of existing technologies.
Sustainability by numbers β€’ 301 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
  1. Many people are unaware that nuclear power is a low-carbon source of energy, leading to confusion between renewables and nuclear power.
  2. Surveys show that there is a lack of understanding regarding the low-carbon nature of nuclear energy, with less than half of the public recognizing it as such.
  3. Demographics play a role in this confusion, with older individuals and men more likely to correctly identify nuclear power as low-carbon compared to younger individuals and women.
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The Crucial Years β€’ 966 implied HN points β€’ 22 Dec 23
  1. There is a potential victory on pausing LNG exports, which could impact Biden's campaign and the planet positively.
  2. Campaigners and new data have highlighted the detrimental impact of LNG exports on the climate and American consumers.
  3. The administration's decision on LNG exports can be a crucial win for climate action and Biden's re-election efforts.
The Crucial Years β€’ 1295 implied HN points β€’ 24 Oct 23
  1. False information spreads quickly, like rumors about electric vehicle fires, aided by social media and anti-environmental amplifiers.
  2. Compared to fossil fuel vehicles, electric vehicles are significantly less likely to catch on fire.
  3. It's important to consider the larger picture and relative impacts when evaluating new technologies or risks, like the benefits of windmills in reducing fossil fuel use.
Gordian Knot News β€’ 124 implied HN points β€’ 16 Mar 24
  1. Regulation of hazardous activities requires finding a balance between safety and economy to prevent both excessive harm and economic burden.
  2. Certification Societies, like those for ocean transportation and high-pressure steam, play a crucial role in setting industry standards, inspecting compliance, and ensuring safety.
  3. Underwriter Certification for nuclear power leverages market competition, government oversight, and insurance to provide a feasible and safe regulatory system for nuclear energy.
The Crucial Years β€’ 1066 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 23
  1. Environmental campaign is rapidly emerging in the Gulf of Mexico to halt LNG exports, influencing political and environmental grounds.
  2. Biden has the opportunity to show leadership by denying new LNG export licenses, which could cut costs for American consumers and address inflation concerns.
  3. Taking action against LNG exports can help Biden address his polling challenges, appeal to young voters concerned about climate change, and demonstrate commitment to clean energy initiatives.
Everything is Light β€’ 373 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. Energy security is a global concern and nuclear energy is crucial for societal progress.
  2. Many countries are investing in expanding nuclear energy generation, with significant projects underway in Asia, Europe, and North America.
  3. Despite past reservations, some nations like Japan and Italy are reconsidering nuclear power, while others like Denmark and Singapore are exploring options.
The Land Desk β€’ 432 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
  1. Biden has made some questionable decisions regarding public lands and energy, but he has also protected certain lands from fossil fuel energy development.
  2. Biden did not fulfill his promise to end oil and gas drilling on public lands, but he has taken significant actions to protect certain federal lands and reduce emissions.
  3. Judging politicians solely on promises kept or broken may not be productive; evaluating their policies and actions is more important.
Dan Davies - "Back of Mind" β€’ 334 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 24
  1. Supply and demand for electricity become more unpredictable with an increasing proportion of wind and solar energy
  2. The profit motive drives the application of information processing power and bandwidth to solve energy planning problems
  3. Market trading and the profit motive are ways to match the variety of the energy problem with the regulatory system
Gordian Knot News β€’ 183 implied HN points β€’ 18 Feb 24
  1. Fusion faces difficult technical challenges like damage to the first wall, intense heat transfer, and high maintenance due to activation of materials.
  2. Achieving economic viability in fusion is a major hurdle, with immense parasitic loads and a fusion gain ratio that can be a significant challenge to achieve.
  3. Standard fusion processes like using deuterium and tritium result in energy losses due to the need for high quality energy input, which makes fusion less self-sustaining than fission.
The Raven β€’ 275 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
  1. Gas reserves off the Gaza coast have been a point of conflict between Israel and Palestinians.
  2. Palestinians have suffered economic losses due to the hindrance of gas exploitation in the region.
  3. Recent moves towards developing Gaza Marine seem tied to buying complicity, particularly with the PNA, while eliminating Hamas.
Sustainability by numbers β€’ 75 implied HN points β€’ 19 Mar 24
  1. American households primarily use electricity for heating, cooling, and controlling humidity.
  2. Future challenges in energy demand will revolve around balancing supply and demand, particularly for temperature control like heating and cooling.
  3. Electricity consumption is dominated by heating, cooling, and humidity control in households, highlighting the importance of efficient solutions in this area.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 1737 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jul 23
  1. The world still needs new sources of oil supply to meet demand, even with efforts to phase out oil consumption by 2050.
  2. Natural gas is expected to play a central role in future global energy consumption, with significant investment needed to meet demand.
  3. There are no scenarios suggesting it is possible to eliminate fossil fuel use within the next 8 years, leading to a global energy crisis if oil and gas were abruptly stopped.
Not Boring by Packy McCormick β€’ 97 implied HN points β€’ 08 Mar 24
  1. AWS made a significant move by acquiring a nuclear data center campus in Pennsylvania, signaling the company's first venture into nuclear energy to power its data centers.
  2. Advances in clean energy include Terraform Industries scaling technology to create cheap natural gas using solar energy, showcasing the potential for cleaner energy sources.
  3. The discovery of a massive helium deposit in Minnesota highlights how continuous resource findings like this play a crucial role in various industries like MRI machines, semiconductor manufacturing, and fusion reactors.
Syncretica β€’ 648 implied HN points β€’ 06 Nov 23
  1. China has the largest hydropower sector globally, with a significant impact on power generation worldwide.
  2. Hydropower output is heavily influenced by weather conditions, with recent rainfall improvements expected to boost Chinese hydropower production.
  3. The strong growth in Chinese hydropower output is likely to lead to a decrease in fossil fuel imports and a reduction in thermal power generation.
Vietnam Weekly β€’ 255 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
  1. Energy worries are mounting in Vietnam due to a possible electricity shortage from May through July.
  2. Vietnam is considering importing power from Laos and coal from neighboring countries to address energy challenges.
  3. Airlines in Vietnam are facing struggles with reduced routes, low demand, high airfares, and operational issues as the Lunar New Year approaches.
Sustainability by numbers β€’ 168 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 24
  1. Global energy demand in 2050 could be lower due to decarbonisation leading to efficiency gains
  2. Final energy use per person is projected to decrease with increased decarbonisation
  3. Electricity demand will rise significantly with the electrification of transport and heating
Building a New Economics β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
  1. Nate Hagens' podcast 'The Great Simplification' discusses the critical role of energy in human civilization and the potential for ecological overshoot to lead to major changes for humanity's survival.
  2. The concept of 'Energy Blindness' is explored in a conversation between Nate Hagens and Steve Keen, tracing back to Adam Smith, known as 'the Father of Economics'.
  3. The podcast conversation between Nate Hagens and Steve Keen is available both in audio and video formats for different preferences.
Erik Torenberg's Thoughts β€’ 455 implied HN points β€’ 14 Nov 23
  1. Nuclear energy is a cost-effective and clean solution for reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
  2. Modern nuclear energy plants are safe, produce minimal waste, and are more efficient than other renewable energy sources.
  3. Choosing nuclear energy is crucial for addressing climate change and has been successfully implemented in countries like France.
Liberty’s Highlights β€’ 491 implied HN points β€’ 11 Oct 23
  1. Be skeptical of misinformation during times of tragedy and beware of those who use geopolitical excuses to dehumanize situations.
  2. Don't get attached to beliefs and welcome constructive criticism to identify and correct blind spots over time.
  3. Electric vehicles are more energy-efficient compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, and smart planning is key to meet the increasing electricity demand for transportation needs.
chamathreads β€’ 1022 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 23
  1. The article discusses various topics like fertility rates, drug prices, and the presidential diet.
  2. There's a mention of Microsoft betting on fusion power, Andreessen Horowitz and the changing tech landscape, and the financial status of tech workers.
  3. Updates on AI predicting pancreatic cancer, America's high drug prices, corporate acquisitions of primary care practices, and more.
Age of Invention, by Anton Howes β€’ 736 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jun 23
  1. Transport infrastructure plays a key role in boosting economic growth by providing access to energy and markets.
  2. Historically, the primary focus of early transport infrastructure like canals and railways was to transport goods, especially coal and grain.
  3. While passenger transportation is beneficial for connecting cities and improving labor market efficiency, access to energy and markets are more crucial for economic growth.
Life in the 21st Century β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
  1. Organization is crucial in politics, but often overlooked in understanding how power is structured.
  2. Regulatory agencies created in response to past technologies may not easily adapt to new technologies like solar power.
  3. Transitioning to solar energy requires not just technological changes, but also social and political reorganization.