The hottest Energy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The energy cost of AI, visually explained ⚡️💧

Year 2049 • 13 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Energy Sustainability Data Trends
  1. AI requires a lot of energy to function, and this is becoming a bigger concern as it grows. People are curious about why AI even uses water in its processes.
  2. There are new trends and solutions emerging to address the high energy costs associated with AI. It's important to stay informed about these developments.
  3. Understanding the impact of AI on energy consumption can help us find ways to make it more sustainable and efficient in the future. Being aware of these issues is crucial as technology advances.

3.3 Potentials, Energy, & Fields

Fields & Energy • 239 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🔬 Science Physics Mathematics Theory Electricity Energy
  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.

A win win opening for a president who badly needs one?

The Crucial Years • 1066 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Climate Environment Energy Policy Activism
  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.

Heat maps on Germany: renewables and prices

GEM Energy Analytics • 239 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewables Energy Data Visualization Sustainability
  1. Germany's renewable energy sources like solar and wind are working well together, especially during the winter. This means Germany can rely on both types of energy to help meet their needs.
  2. Heat maps show that solar energy has a big impact on electricity prices, especially during sunny afternoons in the spring and summer. When there's lots of solar power, prices can drop.
  3. Comparing Germany with France on energy prices, we see Germany benefits from more solar energy during the day. This can lead to lower prices in Germany, especially in the afternoon.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Investing in Energy

Doomberg • 267 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💰 Finance Investing Markets Energy Economics Analysis
  1. Energy markets are influenced by fundamental rules that help predict their behavior. Understanding these rules is key to making smart investments.
  2. The energy sector is currently undergoing significant changes. It's important to stay updated on these shifts to find good investment opportunities.
  3. There are four main ways to invest in energy. Each method has different risks and rewards, so it’s crucial to evaluate them carefully before deciding.

wind and rain and sun and data

Dan Davies - "Back of Mind" • 334 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Energy Data Trading Algorithms Regulation
  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

Saudi, Islam, Russia

Diane Francis • 799 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East Geopolitics Energy Diplomacy Conflict
  1. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince MBS is a powerful player in global politics. He manages relationships with many major countries while balancing conflicts and alliances.
  2. MBS invited Ukraine's President Zelensky to speak about the struggles of Muslims under Russian control. This could change how Arab nations view their ties with Russia.
  3. MBS has increased Saudi wealth due to rising oil prices from the Ukraine conflict. His ambitious projects and power make him a key figure to watch in international affairs.

Lump of Coal

Doomberg • 151 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Sustainability Pollution Natural resources Climate Policy
  1. Coal is a controversial fuel, and many people don't fully understand its value. It's important to look at its role in energy and society.
  2. As we'll explore, coal has had a significant impact on industries and economies. Understanding its importance can change how we see this resource.
  3. The goal is to dive deeper into coal's complexities and recognize its potential benefits alongside its challenges. This perspective can lead to better discussions about energy sources.

Europe pays more for banned Russian oil, resold by India - as EU wages fall

Geopolitical Economy Report • 538 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Sanctions Energy Inflation Wages
  1. Europe is indirectly purchasing Russian oil through India at higher prices despite sanctions, contributing to de-dollarization and falling wages.
  2. Russian oil exports to Asia, particularly China and India, have increased significantly due to Western sanctions, shifting away from Europe.
  3. Real wages in the EU have fallen by 6.5% from 2020 to 2022 due to rising energy costs and a severe cost-of-living crisis, impacting poorer households the most.

How is Gaza offshore gas development tied to the Israeli invasion?

The Raven • 275 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict Economics Energy Negotiations Resources
  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.

453: Anthropic, Microsoft Athena AI Chip, Nvidia Strikes Back, Antitrust Catch-22, China vs Wind Power, Nobel Immigrants, EV, and JS Bach

Liberty’s Highlights • 491 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Antitrust Energy Immigration
  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.

US blew up Nord Stream pipelines connecting Russia to Germany, journalist Seymour Hersh reports

Geopolitical Economy Report • 558 implied HN points • 11 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Energy Warfare Alliances Diplomacy
  1. The US government, with the help of CIA, Navy divers, and NATO member Norway, reportedly destroyed the Nord Stream pipelines connecting Russia to Germany.
  2. There were denial from the White House and CIA about the covert operation, illustrating how they can legally lie to the public about such actions.
  3. US's planning to destroy Nord Stream began before Russia invaded Ukraine, with the operation executed by US Navy divers placing explosives on the pipelines during NATO exercises.

Just how much battery is needed by China alone?

TP’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Energy Automotive Sustainability Manufacturing Electronics
  1. China needs a huge amount of batteries for electric cars, with estimates suggesting around 1.3 terawatt-hours just for passenger vehicles. This shows a big shift towards electric cars in the country.
  2. The demand for batteries isn't just from cars; commercial vehicles also need a lot, with predictions of roughly 1 terawatt-hour for all types of trucks and other commercial vehicles. This means a lot of growth in the electric vehicle sector.
  3. To support a greener energy grid, China might need around 10 terawatt-hours of battery storage for renewable energy. This highlights that as they move to renewable energy, battery production has to increase significantly to meet these needs.

↩ Flashback Friday: A Quick Q&A on nuclear energy risk with ... economist Matthew Neidell

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🔬 Science Energy Policy AI Health Space
  1. The Fukushima nuclear meltdown in 2011 led to Japan shutting down nuclear reactors, resulting in unforeseen consequences like higher energy prices, reduced consumption, and increased mortality during cold temperatures.
  2. Following the shutdown, research by economist Matthew Neidell showed how Japan's shift to fossil fuels after the Fukushima incident led to higher bills, reduced energy use, and ultimately increased mortality in cold weather due to lack of climate control.
  3. The debate on nuclear energy often focuses on visible risks like accidents, while downplaying the benefits and comparative safety of nuclear power when weighed against other energy sources like coal or gas.

In case you missed my mitochondrial energy talk...

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 459 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Metabolism Nutrition Genetics Energy Health
  1. The Mitochondrial Energy Summit is hosting an 'Encore Weekend' event starting at 6 PM eastern time tonight, allowing those who missed the original airing to catch up.
  2. Attendees have praised the talk for its valuable insights on energy metabolism and nutrition, sparking discussions on lifestyle changes like consuming superfoods more regularly.
  3. Chris Masterjohn's talk has received glowing reviews, with attendees expressing appreciation for his knowledge, dedication, and balanced approach to discussing the intersection of genetics and nutrition.

It's the economic growth, stupid

¡Do Not Panic! • 452 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Sustainability Renewables Degrowth
  1. Continued energy growth, irrespective of the source, could lead to catastrophic levels of waste heat.
  2. Global economic growth at 2.3% annually may hit a saturation point in 200 years due to resource constraints.
  3. Physical limits to growth, driven by raw physics, will eventually necessitate radical changes to current economic, political, and social systems.

Growing Energy Concerns

Vietnam Weekly • 255 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Energy Aviation Vietnam Economic Implications
  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.

Russia's Suicide

Diane Francis • 1518 implied HN points • 04 Aug 22
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Energy Economics Conflict Diplomacy
  1. Putin underestimated Europe's ability to find new energy sources after his invasion of Ukraine. He thought Europe would rely on Russia, but they quickly adapted and diversified their energy supply.
  2. Russia's economic future looks bleak as it can't easily replace the European market for its oil and gas. Without strong customers, the country faces economic isolation and declines.
  3. Putin's strategies have alienated Europe and lost trust globally. His flawed plans only strengthened NATO and made the world more united against his aggressive actions.

Online resources on electricity and energy

GEM Energy Analytics • 339 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Sustainability Policy Research Data Tools
  1. There are many websites that provide valuable data on electricity generation and energy prices, especially in Europe. These resources can help understand the energy market better.
  2. Tools like Ember Climate and Electricity Maps offer useful visualizations to track emissions and power generation in various regions.
  3. The International Energy Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration are great sources for reliable energy data and insights globally.

An introduction to (green) Hydrogen

GEM Energy Analytics • 299 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Sustainability Decarbonization Renewables
  1. Hydrogen is seen as important for reducing carbon emissions, but it's not a complete solution. It can help in specific tough areas but isn't the only answer.
  2. Producing hydrogen currently causes pollution because most of it is made from natural gas or coal. Only a tiny bit comes from clean methods like renewable energy.
  3. Green hydrogen is expensive to produce, and its high costs mean it will be limited. It's better used in areas where alternatives like electricity don't fit, not for everyday home heating or personal cars.

The Fusion Energy Landscape

Ulysses • 359 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🔬 Science Energy Physics Technology Research Funding
  1. Fusion energy promises clean, pollution-free energy that can be built anywhere and lasts millions of years without geopolitical disputes over fuel reserves.
  2. Different fusion technologies like magnetic confinement, inertial confinement, and magneto-inertial confinement offer diverse approaches to achieving fusion reactions with varying benefits and challenges.
  3. Developing fusion energy requires extensive funding, traditional engineering solutions, and expertise underscoring a journey to harness limitless energy potential.

Peru's natural resources: CIA-linked US ambassador meets with mining and energy ministers to talk 'investments'

Geopolitical Economy Report • 398 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Natural resources Investments Mining Energy Coup
  1. Peru is rich in natural resources like copper, gold, zinc, silver, and natural gas, making it a hub for transnational corporations who heavily invest in the mining sector.
  2. President Pedro Castillo aimed to ensure that 70% of mining proceeds went to the state for social programs, but after a coup, the focus shifted back to foreign corporate investments, reversing progressive economic plans.
  3. Natural gas, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), plays a significant role in Peru's exports, with a notable shift towards Europe as a top importer following a boycott of Russian energy.

The impact of renewable energy on electricity costs

Klement on Investing • 4 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Renewables Economics Policy Sustainability
  1. Renewable energy, like wind and solar, generally helps to lower electricity prices rather than raise them. In Spain, for example, these sources cut prices by up to 58% compared to using only fossil fuels.
  2. The recent energy crisis was mainly due to rising natural gas prices, not the shift to renewable energy. Without renewables, the costs and inflation would have been even worse.
  3. While renewables can be less reliable at times, investing in energy storage and other clean sources can solve the supply issues. Stopping the shift to renewables will likely lead to higher electricity bills and inflation.

Many people don't know that nuclear power is low-carbon

Sustainability by numbers • 301 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🔬 Science Energy Public Opinion Demographics Communication
  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.

Build Nuclear. Frak. Drill.

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 455 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Renewables Emissions Policy
  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.

US now world's top LNG exporter, as Europe boycotts cheaper Russian gas

Geopolitical Economy Report • 398 implied HN points • 08 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Energy Europe Russia Trade Geopolitics
  1. The USA is now the top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) alongside Qatar.
  2. Europe has replaced Asia as the main market for US LNG due to boycotting cheaper Russian gas, causing energy prices in Europe to soar.
  3. Significant US LNG importers in Europe include France, Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, and Italy, resulting in economic chaos and geopolitical tensions.

Coking Coal: Its Over

Syncretica • 294 implied HN points • 14 May 23
💰 Finance Commodities Markets Investing Energy
  1. Predicted drop in coking coal prices due to Mongolia's coal imports displacing seaborne market imports.
  2. Issues with volume response from Australian, Canadian, and US coal producers to record high prices.
  3. Significant increase in Mongolian coking coal exports impacting market prices negatively.

Age of Invention: Freight Expectations

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 736 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Transportation Infrastructure Energy History Innovation
  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.

Low-carbon energy does not have the same energy security risks as fossil fuels

Sustainability by numbers • 284 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Minerals Transition Security Geopolitics
  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.

Steve Keen: "On the Origins of Energy Blindness”

Building a New Economics • 137 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🔬 Science Energy Ecology Economics
  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.

Oil, Climate, Oppenheimer, and Restructuring

Life in the 21st Century • 275 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Oil Climate Energy Renewables Institutions
  1. Transitioning away from oil use is crucial for addressing climate change and reducing energy waste
  2. Restructuring transportation infrastructure to be more efficient can help in cutting oil consumption
  3. There is a need to reevaluate and revalue daily human life to address the inadequacies and obsolescence of current institutions and values

AI’s Energy Crisis

Technically Optimistic • 39 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI Energy Data Centers Regulation Innovation
  1. AI's energy consumption is rapidly increasing due to the demand for machine learning models and data processing, raising concerns for the future sustainability of AI technology.
  2. Efforts are being made to address the environmental impact of AI, such as exploring alternative energy sources, water recycling techniques, and more efficient cooling systems for data centers.
  3. Regulators and innovators are seeking solutions to manage AI's energy use, including implementing baseload reliable energy, optimizing power usage during off-peak hours, and demanding transparency from AI developers.