The hottest Renewable Energy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Climate & Environment Topics

The rise of vertical solar

GEM Energy Analytics • 459 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The cost of solar panels has dropped a lot, making it cheaper to install solar energy systems. This means other costs like labor become more important to consider.
  2. Vertical solar panels can be helpful because they can generate energy at different times of the day. This helps capture more value from solar energy by producing power when it's needed most.
  3. Using vertical solar opens up new possibilities, like installing them as fences or along roads. This can save space and also provide benefits beyond just energy generation.

Chartbook 347 The trouble with transitioning: putting energy history back on its feet.

Chartbook • 1759 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Traditional views say that moving away from fossil fuels will solve climate issues and that renewable energy will become cheaper. But this view may not be correct.
  2. An analysis of energy use shows that instead of switching from one energy source to another, we tend to use more energy from different sources at the same time.
  3. Decarbonizing our energy systems is a complicated task that is influenced by history and requires new approaches, especially as countries like China play a significant role in renewable energy technologies.

The Grid, Part IV: The Hard and Soft Paths of Energy Strategy

Construction Physics • 8142 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The US electrical grid is a massive machine supplying over 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
  2. Challenges face the grid like the introduction of variable electricity sources and decreasing reliability.
  3. Future energy strategies may involve a mix of large-scale infrastructure development and innovative, decentralized solutions.

Hits and Misses

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1599 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. IEA scenarios are not predictions but imaginative sequences that help envision possible futures. They aim to guide policy but vary in how closely they match reality.
  2. Outlook scenarios from the IEA have performed better than normative ones, showing a steady rise in global energy demand instead of a decline.
  3. There are big gaps between IEA projections for solar and nuclear energy and real-world outcomes, highlighting the need for better understanding and scenario evaluation.
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Germany Celebrates Fealty To Depopulation Lobby With Shut Down Of Nuclear Energy Sector

Matt Ehret's Insights • 1316 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Renewable Energy
  1. Germany and other European nations are shutting down nuclear energy sectors, citing concerns of sustainability and green energy production.
  2. Low dose radiation has been found to have positive health effects, despite common fears of radioactivity.
  3. Transitioning solely to solar and wind energy may not be as sustainable as expected, as it leads to toxic waste and high energy costs.

An America-sized hole in the world

The Crucial Years • 2172 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. America may not lead the fight against climate change anymore, but individuals can still make a difference through global action. Local efforts matter, especially in places with strong clean energy initiatives.
  2. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are becoming more affordable, and there's potential to rapidly increase their use. If we can double solar installations, we can make a real impact on climate goals.
  3. While the U.S. government may not prioritize clean energy, states and communities still recognize its economic benefits. This means there's a significant opportunity for grassroots movements and local investments to push for change.

Blight of the Plebs

Doomberg • 7718 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Living near wind farms can have negative impacts like noise pollution and disruption to farming.
  2. There can be aggressive legal tactics in the wind industry to collect tax credits, leading to conflicts with rural communities.
  3. There is a divide between urban and rural areas on climate change, with rural areas more skeptical and urban areas more supportive of climate action.

Youth First

Doomberg • 8128 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The World Snooker Championship requires skill, tradition, and endurance to produce a deserving winner.
  2. Protest disruptions in events like these highlight concerns about the spread of climate alarmism among the youth.
  3. There is a call for action to address the indoctrination of the younger generation and implement needed policy changes.

Batteries light the way to renewable energy but the IEA is missing it

aukehoekstra • 139 implied HN points • 20 Jun 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Stationary batteries are becoming increasingly affordable, paving the way for a smooth transition to solar and wind energy while enhancing grid resilience.
  2. There's a disconnect between current grid management practices and the shift towards decentralized, renewables-powered grids with the aid of batteries.
  3. The International Energy Agency's predictions for battery growth and usage seem vastly inadequate and fail to align with historical data and future energy needs.

Causal Effects

Doomberg • 7407 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The article discusses the rising trend of power outages in the US due to extreme weather and how it affects different socio-economic groups.
  2. It questions the narrative that blames climate change solely for power grid instability, highlighting the role of policy decisions like investing in intermittent energy sources.
  3. The text also critiques the German approach to energy policy, emphasizing the potential consequences of their shift towards renewable energy sources.

Got Milk?

Doomberg • 6819 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Energy efficiency advances often lead to increased demand for resources.
  2. The Jevons Paradox states that improved energy efficiency may not reduce carbon emissions as expected.
  3. Efforts to restrict energy consumption in one area may simply shift consumption to another location.

Stuck in the Middle With You

Doomberg • 6650 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Norway has a successful energy policy with a focus on clean electricity and oil reserve management.
  2. Norway's oil consumption defies expectations despite high renewable energy usage and electric vehicle sales.
  3. The International Energy Agency predicts a peak in global oil demand within six years, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

Impact of solar on electricity prices: focus on Germany and Spain

GEM Energy Analytics • 619 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Solar power is growing quickly in Europe and is expected to double by 2027. This means more solar energy will be available to meet demand.
  2. In markets like Germany and Spain, solar energy lowers electricity prices because it has very low costs compared to fossil fuels. This creates a connection between the amount of solar energy produced and the price of electricity.
  3. Solar generation varies by season and day, impacting prices differently. For example, prices can drop significantly on sunny Sundays when demand is low and solar output is high.

Solar and the need for more flexibility

GEM Energy Analytics • 219 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Solar energy is growing fast and becoming a main part of our energy systems. This growth is due to lower costs, a global effort to cut emissions, and how easy it is to set up solar technology.
  2. As solar power becomes more popular, we need to be more flexible with how we use and produce energy. This flexibility is important to handle times when there's too much solar energy or not enough.
  3. The rising use of solar power is changing energy prices and increasing the value of flexible energy sources, like batteries and demand response systems, which can help balance supply and demand.

Wheels Up

Doomberg • 6819 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Tires are complex products involving multiple components like rubber, steel, and nylon, crucial for driving performance and safety.
  2. End-of-life tires present a significant pollution issue due to difficulty in recycling and burning, leading to emissions of pollutants like zinc.
  3. Government policies can redefine sustainability, such as classifying spent tires as 'biomass,' raising concerns about environmental impact and green energy definitions.

⤴⤵ Up Wing/Down Wing #32

Faster, Please! • 1279 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Renewable Energy
  1. China has introduced a new AI model, DeepSeek, which could challenge the U.S.'s lead in AI technology. It's created with fewer resources and is making waves in the AI landscape.
  2. The U.S. is launching a major AI project called Stargate, promising to build advanced data centers to enhance tech development. This move aims to keep the U.S. at the forefront of AI innovations.
  3. Researchers are developing robots for farming and pollination that could change agriculture. These robots could help increase crop yields and make farming more sustainable.

Um, I think we all just won

The Crucial Years • 3816 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Biden's decision to halt the biggest fossil fuel expansion on earth is a major win in standing up to the fossil fuel industry.
  2. Exporting natural gas can raise prices for American consumers, and Biden's stance could help in reducing inflation.
  3. The decision is seen as both brave and strategic, aiming to gain support from young climate-conscious voters and addressing concerns about future impacts on greenhouse gas emissions.

Some data and thoughts on the complementarity between wind and solar

GEM Energy Analytics • 419 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The combination of wind and solar power works better in different places. For example, Germany benefits more from wind, while southern countries like Greece get more from solar energy because of their climate.
  2. Wind and solar energy do not produce electricity at the same rate all the time. There are many hours when either one is low, so we need good storage solutions like batteries to keep the lights on.
  3. Geographical differences matter a lot in how we can balance renewable energy. Countries with rivers can store energy easily, but places like Germany and France have a hard time sharing power because their wind and solar outputs are similar.

The Most Hopeful Chart in the World

Material World • 1400 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Solar energy is growing rapidly, despite predictions that it would plateau. This shows that technology can indeed provide solutions to energy challenges.
  2. On the flip side, coal consumption in China is still increasing, contradicting expectations that it would decline. This highlights a serious issue in the global energy transition.
  3. The production of solar panels and batteries relies heavily on coal, which makes the transition to greener energy more complex than it appears. We need to be aware of how these products are made and the hidden costs involved.

The Democrats finally come clean on gas

The Crucial Years • 1315 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The Democrats have finally acknowledged the negative impacts of natural gas and its exports on climate change. This honesty is an important step for addressing environmental issues moving forward.
  2. Past policies favored natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal, but high methane leak rates from fracking have shown that it's not a perfect solution for the climate crisis.
  3. The shifting energy landscape is pushing for a focus on renewable sources like wind and solar, instead of relying on natural gas exports, which could harm national and global climate efforts.

Expanding liquefied natural gas: A bad, short-sighted strategy

The Climate Brink • 412 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Expanding LNG infrastructure may reduce emissions short-term by displacing coal, but it locks in higher emissions in the long run.
  2. U.S. consumers now pay global prices for natural gas due to increased LNG exports, exposing them to international price fluctuations.
  3. Exporting LNG compromises U.S. energy security, as global pricing allows foreign powers to influence prices and threaten economic stability.

On incentives for rooftop and utility-scale solar

GEM Energy Analytics • 299 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Rooftop solar and utility-scale solar are quite different, even though they both use the same technology. Rooftop solar is small and connected to homes, while utility-scale solar is large and functions like a power plant.
  2. Incentives play a big role in how these solar systems behave in the market. Rooftop solar often lacks good incentives to respond to price changes, whereas utility-scale solar can better react to market prices.
  3. Both types of solar can be improved by better support schemes and incentives. It's important not just to generate energy but also to maximize its value in the market, ensuring more efficient and responsive use of solar power.

Capture price of imports/exports in Germany

GEM Energy Analytics • 719 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
💰 Finance Renewable Energy
  1. Germany often exports electricity during winter and imports more in summer. This pattern is changing due to the retirement of nuclear power and other factors.
  2. The prices for exported electricity are usually low because they happen when there’s lots of renewable energy like wind or solar, which can lead to negative prices.
  3. As renewable energy grows, Germany is importing electricity when prices are high, while exporting when prices are low. This is making it hard to measure the value of electricity trades in traditional ways.

A Thing to Think About That Isn't That Thing

The Crucial Years • 1275 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Balcony solar panels are a convenient and popular way for apartment dwellers to harness solar energy in Germany. These small solar setups are easy to install and can power small appliances, promoting energy independence.
  2. The U.S. has stricter regulations regarding solar installations, making it difficult for similar plug-and-play systems to thrive. This contrasts with Europe, where regulations are often more relaxed, leading to faster adoption of such technologies.
  3. Balcony solar systems are a part of a larger trend in renewable energy. This small yet meaningful step represents a growing movement toward sustainable living and empowerment in combating climate change.

My new book — Clearing the Air — is coming out in September!

Sustainability by numbers • 369 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. A new book titled 'Clearing the Air' will be released in September, focusing on climate change solutions through 50 questions and answers. It's designed to help readers understand how to tackle environmental issues more clearly.
  2. The book aims to provide straightforward answers to common doubts and questions about climate change, such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and more.
  3. An audiobook version will be available, read by the author, allowing listeners to engage with the material in a personal way.

Renewable Milestones: Scotland's Excess Energy and China's Solar Surge in 2023

The Planet • 353 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Scotland's renewable energy sector surpassed 100% of electricity demand, a 26% increase from the previous year
  2. The fossil fuel industry funded early climate science, including the development of the iconic 'Keeling curve'
  3. China installed a record-breaking 216.9 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2023, surpassing any other nation

The Renewable Revolution Continues

Renewable Revolution • 459 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Clean technology prices have dropped, making solar and wind energy cheaper than before. This is great news for renewable energy as it becomes more accessible.
  2. The global demand for fossil fuels is leveling off, which means they might be losing their place in the energy market. More renewable energy sources like solar and wind are now providing most of the new electricity.
  3. Governments are stepping up their support for clean energy through new policies. As countries commit to increasing renewable energy production, it shows that the push for sustainability is stronger than ever.

The Unthinkable Becomes Inevitable

Anima Mundi • 82 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Economic systems can change quickly and unexpectedly. Slavery, once seen as essential, became morally wrong in a short time due to various factors like economic shifts and the resistance of enslaved people.
  2. Today's society faces a similar situation with climate change and inequality. Current systems are proving unsustainable, but many individuals and countries are hesitant to change because it might mean losing out in a competitive world.
  3. Younger generations are more open to alternative economic models because they haven't built their lives around the current unsustainable practices. If we act now to create and share new ways of living, we might be able to make positive changes before time runs out.

An odd silence

The Crucial Years • 2630 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The global climate crisis is not receiving the attention it deserves in mainstream media.
  2. Record-high temperatures and other alarming climate events are being overshadowed by more 'headline-friendly' news stories.
  3. The urgency and scale of the climate crisis require swift and unprecedented action, even though these changes may not fit into traditional news narratives.

Limits to growth: solar edition

GEM Energy Analytics • 599 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Solar energy is growing quickly, but it has limits. Even though many people are excited about its future, there are economic reasons that might slow its growth.
  2. The value of solar electricity is decreasing as more solar power is added to the system. This means that while solar may be cheap to produce, its market value might drop, making it less profitable.
  3. Government support, like subsidies, could help solar energy continue to grow despite these challenges. However, it's unclear how committed governments will be to supporting solar if its market value drops significantly.

How utilities and big oil broke the economic model of offshore wind

Jérôme à Paris • 1069 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Offshore wind is struggling right now because many companies are trying to sell their projects but are facing lower prices and high costs. Competition has dropped as big companies pushed out smaller players.
  2. Big utilities tried to regain control of the market through lobbying and moving into new areas, but this led to financial misjudgments and a bubble that has now burst, causing many to exit offshore wind.
  3. Despite the current challenges, offshore wind can still be a viable energy source especially in Europe, as countries look to create fair competition and avoid barriers that exclude smaller developers.

Greece’s electric car moment?

The Greek Analyst • 279 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Renewable Energy
  1. The number of electric cars in Greece is rapidly increasing, with more battery electric vehicles sold in the last year than in the previous four years combined.
  2. The country has seen a significant rise in the number of EV charging stations, with the infrastructure growing from less than 50 stations in 2018 to about 5,000 by the end of 2023, expected to reach over 100,000 by 2030.
  3. Greece's surge in electric vehicle adoption is supported by various incentives and subsidies provided by the government to promote alternative-fuel vehicles and infrastructure, with investments totaling nearly €240M since 2020.

The Future Looks Green: Hemp, Algae, and Ideas for Ecovillages and Cooperative Life

Sunshine and Seedlings: A Newsletter by HydroponicTrash • 511 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Plants like hemp and algae have a wide range of uses and can help in creating sustainable communities.
  2. Circular systems can help in stopping waste and regenerating the ecosystem for a better future.
  3. Exploring alternative energy sources like biogas from hemp and algae can provide sustainable solutions to our energy needs.

Friction is growing

The Crucial Years • 2062 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The global economy is facing increasing friction due to the impacts of the climate crisis.
  2. The insurance industry is experiencing challenges in modeling risks and providing coverage due to climate change.
  3. Renewable energy capacity is growing rapidly, but there are significant challenges in transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Real political courage

The Crucial Years • 1913 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Some politicians are demonstrating real political courage by taking a stand against expanding fossil fuel production
  2. The UK's decision to open the North Sea to new oil and gas drilling is being challenged by a Conservative MP's resignation
  3. There is growing pressure for countries to halt the expansion of fossil fuel production to combat the climate crisis

'I told you so'

The Crucial Years • 2551 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. 'I told you so' can be the four least satisfying words in English.
  2. The climate crisis is escalating with record-breaking temperatures leading to devastating consequences.
  3. Collective action is crucial to combating climate change by breaking the political power of the fossil fuel industry.

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

GEM Energy Analytics • 339 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.