The hottest Renewable Energy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

70% Renewable Energy By 2035? Physics Vs. Politics

Japan Economy Watch • 219 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Achieving 70% renewable energy in Japan by 2035 is technically and economically feasible.
  2. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) has a more pessimistic view on renewable energy due to geographical and physical challenges, suggesting the need for more modest goals and continued reliance on nuclear and fossil fuels.
  3. Regulations, business practices, and government policies are the main hurdles to faster adoption of renewable energy in Japan, not geographical limitations or costs.

Market price and solar: a simple model

GEM Energy Analytics • 219 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

How to build the future in place

The Raven • 216 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The world is facing a crisis of climate and ecosystem breakdown due to human activities.
  2. Building the future at the local and regional levels through strong communities can help address global challenges.
  3. Focusing on community-based solutions like social housing, sustainable materials, and governance can create a more resilient and cooperative society.
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Teachable Moments Require... Teaching

The Crucial Years • 1175 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

Low-carbon tech needs much fewer materials than it used to; this matters for resource extraction in the future

Sustainability by numbers • 364 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Low-carbon technology is using way fewer materials now than in the past. This means we can reduce the need for new resource extraction in the future.
  2. Many materials from old solar panels and batteries can be recycled more effectively, which could lead to a 'super-circular' economy. This is better than just making one new item from one old item.
  3. Improvements in material efficiency for solar panels and batteries mean that even if we don’t recycle everything perfectly, we can still have enough materials for more new products.

☢️ 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 Renewable Energy
  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.

Good trouble on the Bad River

The Crucial Years • 757 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The documentary 'Bad River' tells the story of an indigenous community fighting an oil company, highlighting the universal struggle for land rights and environmental protection.
  2. The legal and political battle between the Bad River band and Enbridge over Line 5 demonstrates the importance of building broad coalitions to address both environmental and climate crises.
  3. The documentary emphasizes the need for alliances and friendships to form to create successful movements, showcasing the power of collaboration in environmental activism.

Where to put solar for maximal emissions reduction?

GEM Energy Analytics • 199 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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 Renewable Energy
  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.

Don't let wind power be blown out

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

Will renewables lead to a consumption rebound?

GEM Energy Analytics • 259 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Electricity prices are changing a lot due to the rise of renewable energy sources. This fluctuation can create opportunities for consumers to save money by using power when it's cheapest.
  2. To make the most of these price changes, electricity tariffs should adjust in real-time, encouraging users to shift their power usage to times when energy is abundant and cheap.
  3. However, this adjustment in tariffs could lead to increased overall electricity consumption, as people might use more energy when the costs are low, which may go against goals for energy efficiency.

Volatility - a new normal in day-ahead markets

GEM Energy Analytics • 259 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

eXports eXports eXports

The Crucial Years • 777 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

Putting Southeast Asia on the Climate Tech Map

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 157 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Southeast Asia is a region with significant potential for climate tech innovation and investment.
  2. There is a need for highly scalable, decentralized solutions in Southeast Asia's climate tech landscape.
  3. Opportunities in Southeast Asia include addressing emissions from land use change and agriculture, and focusing on growth tailwinds for high-growth climate tech companies.

Fostering Flexibility Through Electricity Tariff

GEM Energy Analytics • 159 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Electricity prices can vary a lot, especially with more wind and solar power. This means we need to be flexible about when we use electricity.
  2. Better tariff structures can encourage people to use electricity when it's cheaper and more abundant, like during sunny or windy times.
  3. A new tariff system should charge people based on their electricity usage in real-time and how much they can use, rather than having a flat rate. This helps balance energy use with available resources.

The Mercury is Off the Charts

The Crucial Years • 946 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

Specialized thinking leads to ineffectual actions

Technology, Environment, and Art • 59 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Specialized thinking can lead to actions that may not be effective or truly sustainable.
  2. Efforts focused on finding the most environmentally friendly solutions may just be a minimization exercise within the existing industrial system.
  3. To truly move towards sustainability, we should focus on reducing industrial production, global trade, energy and material usage, and emphasize local dependence.

The man who invented a time machine

The Crucial Years • 876 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

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.

The kids are alright

The Crucial Years • 856 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

Grid Upgrade - Part 1: the reasons

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

Strategies to Boost Heat Pump Adoption [Part II]

Volted: Electrify your Life • 98 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Installing high-efficiency heat pumps can lead to significant cost savings on heating bills.
  2. Engaging HVAC contractors and providing them with incentives and training is crucial for boosting heat pump adoption.
  3. Streamlining financing options through instant rebates and zero-interest loans can help make heat pumps more accessible to consumers.

Two Really Dumb Things We Might Be Able to Stop

The Crucial Years • 886 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

The energy transition in five charts

Renewable Revolution • 219 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  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.

The Space Energy Industry: will it give us an emissions-free future?

Space Ambition • 399 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
🔬 Science Renewable Energy
  1. The space energy industry is growing rapidly and could help provide clean energy to Earth, reducing carbon emissions.
  2. Solar and nuclear power are the main options for providing energy in space, with solar being more effective for missions near Earth and Mars, while nuclear is better for farther distances.
  3. China is leading in developing space-based solar power, which could deliver a large amount of energy back to Earth, making it a feasible option for our future energy needs.

Thoughts on the contract-for-differences (CfD)

GEM Energy Analytics • 179 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💰 Finance Renewable Energy
  1. A contract-for-difference (CfD) helps energy producers by giving them a stable price. This way, they won't lose money if market prices drop.
  2. CfDs can reduce the risk of high profits during energy crises, aiming to keep electricity prices lower for consumers. They're designed to share some of the financial risks between producers and the government.
  3. The success of CfDs depends on accurately predicting future energy prices, which is really hard. If prices drop too low, it could hurt new energy projects and make it tougher for power producers to plan.

X-change: Electricity

Renewable Revolution • 159 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Solar and wind energy are growing really fast, but we need to speed up even more to hit climate goals. Continuous growth is happening, and it's pretty exciting!
  2. Even though there are obstacles, the reasons for switching to renewable energy are stronger. Solutions are everywhere, and they're outpacing the barriers we're facing.
  3. The fossil fuel era is coming to an end. By 2030, renewable energy could produce a lot more electricity than fossil fuels, and it’s crucial we keep pushing for change.

How cheap will solar projects get?

GEM Energy Analytics • 159 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. The cost of solar projects has gone down a lot over the last decade, but it is expected to decrease by only about a third in the next decade. This is still good, but not as impressive as before.
  2. Solar module prices were dropping fast, but that trend is slowing down. Improvements in manufacturing are now changing more slowly and the costs of projects could squeeze profits for developers.
  3. Oversizing solar projects, where the installed capacity is greater than the inverter capacity, might become common. This is partly because transmission costs aren’t increasing as quickly as module prices.

Major Questions

The Crucial Years • 747 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Renewable Energy
  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.

Climate Impulse

Surfing the Future • 59 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Bertrand Piccard plans to fly around the world in a hydrogen-powered airplane in 2028.
  2. The challenge lies in maintaining liquid hydrogen at extremely low temperatures during the long flight.
  3. Piccard aims to inspire hope and action with innovative, sustainable solutions for a better future.

The bright future of solar

GEM Energy Analytics • 119 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Solar energy is growing fast around the world, especially with China leading in solar panel installation. Countries like Australia and Germany still produce more solar energy per person.
  2. Investment in solar power is booming, with a significant chunk of renewable investments going into solar projects. This trend shows that people are serious about switching to cleaner energy.
  3. The future looks bright for solar installations, with expectations for rapid growth in capacity. However, challenges like grid limitations and dependence on imports from China could affect this growth.

Can electric vehicles provide some flexibility to the grid?

GEM Energy Analytics • 139 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy
  1. Electric vehicles (EVs) could help us use renewable energy better by shifting when we consume power. This means charging EVs when there's a lot of renewable energy available.
  2. The amount of energy EVs can store is significant, but it's not enough to fully cover all renewable energy peaks. We still need other ways to manage energy demand.
  3. To make EV charging more effective and encourage cheaper energy use, we need smart meters and dynamic pricing. This way, people can charge their cars when electricity prices are low.