The hottest Renewable Energy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Climate & Environment Topics

The Renewable Revolution Continues

Renewable Revolution • 459 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Environmental Policy Sustainability Climate change
  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.

Two Wins, a Loss, and a Disaster

The Crucial Years • 1225 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Environmental Activism Renewable Energy Climate Impacts Sustainability
  1. California passed a significant climate law to force big companies to disclose their carbon emissions
  2. Activism led to New York University finally divesting from fossil fuels after a decade-long battle
  3. Record rainfall in Libya resulted in a tragic loss of life, signaling the urgent need to address climate change

No Human Has Ever Seen it Hotter

The Crucial Years • 1514 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Environmental Impact Clean Energy Climate Crisis
  1. Recently recorded extreme heat events are unprecedented and have significant impacts on the planet.
  2. The rise in solar power generation is proving to be a vital and reliable alternative to traditional energy sources during heatwaves.
  3. Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar power is crucial in mitigating climate change impacts and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Limits to growth: solar edition

GEM Energy Analytics • 599 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar energy Sustainability Environmental Policy
  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.
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Teachable Moments Require... Teaching

The Crucial Years • 1175 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Crisis Renewable Energy Environmental Impact
  1. Teachable moments about climate change should be taught in schools to make the subject more immediate and engaging for students.
  2. It's concerning that misleading information and denial of climate change are being promoted in education, hindering students' understanding of the urgent issue.
  3. Educators and experts, like weatherman Jeff Berardelli, play a crucial role in providing accurate information and promoting climate education.

Greece’s electric car moment?

The Greek Analyst • 279 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Tech startups Research
  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 Sustainability Renewable Energy Circular Economy
  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.

eXports eXports eXports

The Crucial Years • 777 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Fossil fuels Renewable Energy Wildfires Environmental Activism
  1. In 2015, the US Congress repealed the ban on exporting US oil, contradicting climate change goals.
  2. America has become the largest exporter of gas and oil globally, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
  3. There is a need for the Biden administration to halt licensing new LNG facilities to prevent further climate damage.

California’s electricity conundrum

Klement on Investing • 4 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Natural resources Environmental Policy Climate change
  1. California has some of the highest electricity prices in the US, even though it's using more renewable energy. In 2023, its prices were about 70% higher than the national average.
  2. Several factors contribute to the high electricity costs in California, including expensive natural gas, wildfire-related expenses, and increased demand for power due to climate change.
  3. The shift to renewable energy is not the main reason for California's high prices. Other states with a lot of renewable energy actually pay less for electricity on average.

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

GEM Energy Analytics • 339 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Solar energy Renewable Energy Energy Policy Sustainability
  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 Renewable Energy Sustainability Battery technology 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.

How China solves the renewable intermittency issue

TP’s Substack • 35 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy Storage Nuclear power Sustainability
  1. China is investing heavily in renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which have been growing rapidly. These types of energy are faster and cheaper to set up compared to nuclear power.
  2. To tackle the issue of renewable energy not being available at all times, China is using advanced battery storage systems and smart grids. These technologies help store energy when production is high and release it when demand peaks.
  3. Electric vehicles (EVs) in cities like Shenzhen are being used to help manage energy supply. During busy times, these EVs can return power to the grid, making the entire energy system more resilient.

Financial Contract-for-Differences

GEM Energy Analytics • 319 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
💰 Finance Renewable Energy Investment Strategies
  1. The EU is making Contract-for-Differences the main way to support new renewable and nuclear energy projects. This will help create stable financial conditions for these investments.
  2. A traditional CfD can remove market price incentives for energy producers, leading them to produce electricity regardless of demand. This is not ideal because it can flood the market and reduce overall value.
  3. The new idea of a financial CfD separates payments from actual production, giving producers a goal to increase the value of their electricity instead of just maximizing how much they produce. This could lead to better management of resources.

The Mercury is Off the Charts

The Crucial Years • 946 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Wildfires Environmental Activism Climate Policy
  1. Global warming is rapidly increasing sea surface temperatures, with 2023 likely to be the hottest year yet.
  2. Despite the alarming climate situation, the fossil fuel industry is not making significant changes to reduce their impact.
  3. There is a call for urgent action to transition away from fossil fuels and support clean energy initiatives to combat the climate crisis.

Baseload price and the support to renewables

GEM Energy Analytics • 259 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy Policy Electricity Markets Environmental Economics Sustainability
  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 Renewable Energy Fossil fuels Energy Policy Environmental Economics Global Warming
  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.

Capture price of renewables: miscellaneous

GEM Energy Analytics • 319 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy markets Solar Power
  1. The capture price of renewables, especially solar and wind, is decreasing as their output increases. This means that more solar and wind power leads to lower market prices for electricity.
  2. In specific regions like Spain and Germany, capture prices can drop significantly during peak production months. It shows that when there's a lot of solar energy, prices can actually fall below expectations.
  3. New financial tools are emerging to help manage the risks associated with capturing renewable energy prices. These tools aim to provide more stability for energy producers as renewable energy becomes more common.

The man who invented a time machine

The Crucial Years • 876 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Sustainability Climate Science Conservation Global impact
  1. John Goodenough, who invented a powerful lithium-ion battery, helped keep the Texas power grid run smoothly during a heatwave.
  2. Batteries like the ones Goodenough invented are crucial for storing solar power and preventing energy crises.
  3. The use of batteries is growing worldwide to support renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The kids are alright

The Crucial Years • 856 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Environmental Activism
  1. 16 Montana youth are taking legal action to fight for a clean and healthful environment for future generations in a historic trial in the state.
  2. Climate change impacts on children are profound, highlighting the urgency for action and the need to address intergenerational injustices.
  3. The fight for climate justice extends beyond local trials, with efforts to hold the federal government accountable for its role in the climate crisis gaining support.

Green Lights Jan. 12: Top stories this week

Callaway Climate Insights • 196 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Green Technology Environmental Policy Sustainable Practices
  1. 2024 will be a challenging year for the climate with ominous reports predicting financial repercussions.
  2. California's efforts to address climate change face a temporary setback due to a budget crisis.
  3. ESG investing may see a resurgence as negative attention attracts investors towards renewable energy shares.

Biomass Overview

Climateer • 907 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Biomass is a diverse energy source, but be cautious as it may not be as clean as expected.
  2. Different types of biomass have varying pros, cons, and environmental impacts.
  3. Biomass energy may look good on paper, but in practice, it can face challenges like supply limitations and negative environmental impacts.

Two Really Dumb Things We Might Be Able to Stop

The Crucial Years • 886 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Climate Impact Environmental Policy
  1. Massachusetts is a liberal Democratic state with leaders pushing for green initiatives like divesting from fossil fuels and protesting against harmful projects like the MVP pipeline.
  2. The MVP pipeline project, a fracked gas pipeline running through Appalachia, is facing mass protests due to environmental concerns and the decreasing demand for fracked gas.
  3. There is a global movement towards renewable energy advocacy to address climate change and transition away from fossil fuels.

Comparing the Pace of Solar and Batteries

GEM Energy Analytics • 319 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Market Trends Sustainability
  1. Solar energy is growing really fast, and it's changing the way we think about energy costs. Europe is seeing a huge increase in solar capacity, with Germany leading the way.
  2. Batteries, especially large-scale ones and home batteries, are important for storing solar energy, but they still can't keep up with solar growth. More batteries are coming, but their impact is still limited right now.
  3. Electric vehicles (EVs) can help with energy storage too, but we need better support and smart systems for them to work effectively. Right now, we face challenges in making the most of EVs to store solar energy.

CEOs get real about the coming cost of climate change

Callaway Climate Insights • 176 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
💼 Business Climate change Sustainability Investment Renewable Energy Corporate Accountability
  1. Some CEOs are willing to accept lower returns on investment to make progress in fighting climate change.
  2. The focus on sustainability in business includes decarbonization and energy efficiency.
  3. Climate investing is more about long-term impact and sustainability than just financial returns.

Solar cannibalization: more details

GEM Energy Analytics • 399 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar energy Market Dynamics Energy Policy Sustainability
  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.

The Last Crusade or the Temple of Doom?

Logging the World • 398 implied HN points • 14 Jan 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Impact Renewable Energy
  1. The COVID-19 pandemic led to extreme groupings on each side of the argument, mimicking past experiences in climate change discussions
  2. Centrist views, acknowledging real problems but also the progress being made, are important in addressing climate change
  3. Promoting centrist voices and avoiding extreme rhetoric can be effective in fostering positive action and moving away from a sense of hopelessness

Major Questions

The Crucial Years • 747 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Legislation Climate Renewable Energy Environmental Impact Global relations
  1. The Supreme Court decisions are attempting to prevent the politics of an earlier era from interfering with the current bought-and-paid-for nihilism.
  2. The Supreme Court's decisions on student debt and Clean Air Act show a trend of erasing history and dismantling earlier legislation put in place by effective Congresses.
  3. The Supreme Court's recent rulings on anti-gay bigotry and affirmative action indicate an effort to erase progress and surrender ground previously gained in social issues.

A few basic truths about offshore wind

Jérôme à Paris • 510 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Offshore Wind Decarbonization Energy transition Supply Chain
  1. Offshore wind was meant to be more expensive and a side show in the energy transition.
  2. Banks took construction risks initially, leading to offshore wind being almost as cheap as onshore wind in some regions.
  3. Offshore wind is necessary in some places due to geographical constraints and can provide diversification in renewable energy systems.

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

Japan Economy Watch • 279 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Electric Vehicles Emissions Reduction Energy Policy Climate 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.

The imperfect LCOE and CfD

GEM Energy Analytics • 439 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Renewable Energy Electricity Markets Cost Analysis Sustainability
  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.