A Possible Solution To The Energy Storage Problem?

"As we look to transition to our electric future, researchers are still stumped about how to store the electricity generated by inconsistent renewable power sources like solar and wind. Now, scientists report progress in storing energy by shifting the shapes of molecules, a solution that could be directly combined with photovoltaics. This idea makes a lot of sense — at least to me. Let’s take a look."

Click on the link below for the details from a noted physicist:

This New Energy Storage Idea Makes A Lot Of Sense

Deep-Sea Mining

"John Oliver discusses deep-sea mining, whether or not it’s worth doing, and which undersea creature he most wants to eat."

Click on this link for a critique of the practice of Deep-Sea Mining.

The Future Of Energy And Climate Is On The Line

"We’re back with another episode of our WITHpod 2024: The Stakes series, in which we choose specific areas of policy and talk to an expert about Trump and Biden’s records on the topic. This week, we’re discussing what’s at stake for an area of top salience: climate and energy. There’s a lot to unpack. David Roberts is the founder of the Volts podcast, newsletter, and community. He joins WITHpod to discuss the Biden administration’s record action on climate, rollbacks that would be likely during a second Trump term, why this moment is such an inflection point, and more."

Click on the link below for another podcast in a series analyzing the risks of another Trump presidency: 

The Stakes for Climate and Energy

Another Look At Geothermal Energy

"Geothermal energy is everywhere, just right under our feet. So could it be the solution to climate change? I used to think it was just too difficult and expensive to make much sense in most places, but some recent advances have made me rethink. Let’s have a look."

Click on the link below for another video from Sabine Hossenfelder regarding geothermal energy. She appears to be giving it a positive look now (see prior posts):

Geothermal Power Everywhere: Tech Advances Rapidly

Green Technology And Regulated Capitalism: An Optimistic Outlook

"Nuclear power contributes to nearly 20 percent of the electricity generated in America, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Enormous growth has occurred since the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, which allocated more money towards climate, and green energy subsidies than any piece of legislation in American history. But a lot of work still remains. Jigar Shah is director of the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, a role in which he oversees investing and scaling carbon free energy. Before this position, he was a clean tech investor. He joins WITHpod to discuss recent inflection points, the future of nuclear, the importance of remembering that 'big things' can be done and why he’s more hopeful now about the space more than ever."

Click on the link below for an understanding of how rapidly the conversion to Green Energy is happening within regulated capitalism:

The Explosion in Green Tech

Is Nuclear Waste Really That Bad?

"Nuclear waste is scary. Maybe you’ve seen it as glowing green goop in The Simpsons, or as a radioactive threat on the news. Either way, you likely know it has been a major block to the use and improvement of nuclear power. Over the last few decades, experts, politicians, and the public have had heated debates over what to do with this radioactive material created by nuclear power plants. 

"But what if there were a way to not just store nuclear waste, but actually USE it? "This video is about the effort to make electricity out of nuclear waste. Really. It turns out, we developed the tools to do this decades ago. This story is about a technology we left behind and the people who want to bring it back. 

"For this video, I had the privilege of visiting one of the largest and oldest research centers in the US, the Argonne National Laboratory. I’m incredibly grateful to the researchers and staff I met there and for their time in showing me their work. I also had the opportunity to speak with representatives from Oklo, a company working on new forms of nuclear power, including recycling nuclear waste as fuel. One of the best parts of making Huge If True is meeting and learning from people pushing what we can do in the hopes of improving the world for everyone else."

Click on the link below for the details:

The Big Lie About Nuclear Waste

Lithium Batteries: The Disposal Problem

"Currently, lithium (Li) ion batteries are those typically used in EVs and the mega batteries used to store energy from renewables, and Li batteries are hard to recycle.

"One reason is that the most widely used methods of recycling more traditional batteries, like lead-acid batteries, don't work well with Li batteries. The latter are typically larger, heavier, more complex, and even dangerous if taken apart incorrectly."

Click on the link below for details:

Lithium batteries’ big unanswered question

Entropy 101

 Click on the link below for a video presenting a clear way to understand energy and entropy:

The Most Misunderstood Concept in Physics

If You Are Against Nuclear Energy, Why?

"Experts say nuclear power is one of our safest sources of energy and has saved millions of lives.

"If you’re new to learning about nuclear power then that might sound a bit surprising! What about Fukushima? What about Chernobyl? Shouldn’t we worry about all that toxic green gloop on The Simpsons?

"Well, let’s start by seeing how different energy sources compare in terms of their overall death rates per unit of energy created."

Click on the link below for the details:

Nuclear and safety: the surprising truth

Geothermal Energy: A Little-Talked-About Alternative To Fossil Fuels

"There is a lot of energy right under our feet, a relic from Earth's hot past as a ball of plasma. But how much can geothermal energy realistically do for us? What technologies are currently being pursued, what are the risks, and is it even carbon neutral? In this video, we have collected all the relevant facts and numbers for you." 

Click on the link below for another excellent "Science Without The Gobbledegook" video by Sabine Hossenfelder:

Geothermal Energy How Big is the Potential?

Nuclear Power And Its Waste

"How much nuclear waste is there, how dangerous is it, and what can we do with it? Today we look into nuclear waste disposal and nuclear waste recycling."

There is little doubt that nuclear energy without the perceived dangers would be a major replacement for fossil fuels. However, with the dangers of a meltdown, explosion, and radiation from nuclear waste, much needs to be considered before accepting it. Click on the link below for an analysis of the last danger:

Nuclear Waste: What Do We Do With It?

The Ancients Have Something To Teach Us

"Heat pumps are all the rage these days, and for good reason, but it turns out that ancient Persians had ways of making and storing ice, long before refrigeration existed. Today, engineers are taking from that ancient knowledge to design homes that cool without the need for electricity. And it could be the future of building design."

Click on the link below for examples of more efficient ways of using energy not only for cooling but for heating:

Forget Heat Pumps: This House Cools Itself With NO Electricity!

The Latest On Nuclear Energy

"Is nuclear power good or bad? In this much-asked-for episode I will summarize the most up-to-date numbers on the status of nuclear power and break down its pros and cons. We will also look at what the new technological developments have to offer: molten salt reactors, thorium reactors, and small modular reactors. I learned a lot while working on this video and I hope you find this summary useful."

Click on the link below for the details:

Is Nuclear Power Green

Another Future Energy Source?

Several days ago I posted on the possibilities of nuclear fusion as a source of energy in the future. Hydrogen is another potential source. Click on the link below for more:

Hydrogen: fuel of the future?

Potentially Good News Regarding Energy For The Future?

"'This is a giant step toward the holy grail of energy research,” said Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at the City College and City University of New York. 'To hit break-even, to extract more energy than you put in, and this could eventually become a game-changer.'”

Click on the link below for more:

A Giant Step Toward The Holy Grail Of Energy Research

UPDATE: not so fast, there is some miscommunication going on in the field. (link)