-
14 votes
-
The EU Grids Package: A blueprint for Europe’s future energy infrastructure
11 votes -
As a reindeer herder, I am watching Norwegian renewable energy projects threaten our land, livelihoods and an Indigenous way of life the state once tried to erase
26 votes -
How sewage can be used to heat and cool buildings
13 votes -
Norway's national oil company facing £53m penalty for oil spills and gas leaks – Equinor accused of extensive and long-term pollution caused by years of inadequate maintenance
7 votes -
For Americans: You can check out your local electric options!
I'm not sure where exactly to post this, but most folks in the US and Canada can check out where their power is coming from. I work in the power generation industry, and I feel there are many...
I'm not sure where exactly to post this, but most folks in the US and Canada can check out where their power is coming from. I work in the power generation industry, and I feel there are many aspects that people just do not understand when it comes to generation and what we need to go fully renewable and/or carbon free.
"Independent system operators" (better known as ISOs) can provide you with your local power information. A nice overview can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_transmission_organization_(North_America)#Independent_system_operators_(ISOs)
I live in New England, so my local info can be seen here: https://www.iso-ne.com/isoexpress/
I can see the projected MW load, how much was scheduled to cover it, the cost per MW, where the power is coming from (at the moment, 5% is oil, 6% is hydro, 12% is "renewables"... as burning trash is considered renewable as much as solar and wind lulz, 19% is nuclear, and 52% is natural gas [NG]), and I can also see the CO2 outputs (which before you make a judgement call to state that yes, NG is the highest producer of CO2, if you look at the MW produced per ton of CO2, it's WAY better than the others!).If you're in Texas and were there in early '21 during the Uri storm, I'm sure you've heard of ERCOT (https://www.ercot.com/gridmktinfo/dashboards). That region has a much higher demand for power in general, and I do find it amusing (yet not at all surprising) that no CO2 info is offered.
In the California area (which is where I hail from), it's displayed here: https://www.caiso.com/supply. I have, at times, found that their imported MW actually were the main supplier, which let's just be honest: they buy power from NV and AZ and that power isn't "clean", but they tote that they're so good to the environment! (Please also note, CA is a huge supplier of CO2 courtesy of all the forest fires.) Also, note that my company literally owns two "peakers" (that's a term for an engine you can turn on and get power out of quickly, without all the slow startup times or shutdown issues that typical power plants have - think of it as a jet engine you just turn on for quick power with really high emissions compared to most plants) that put out more emissions than were typically allowed on permits when they were commissioned, but glorious Newsome realized that balancing the ability to charge your Tesla and having rolling blackouts was a bit precarious. Also alsø: if you look at the CaISO page, the geothermal output is all my company. That range of plants takes the grey water from SF and reincorporates it into the geysers to keep up the 100% clean output.
So, after the fact, I'll state that I'm a little biased: I grew up in CA, and I'm very conscious about emissions and climate change (and yes, I believe that has been playing into effect for a while). But I also am a realist living near California's little red-headed stepsibling Massachusetts that is trying to shoot their foot for carbon emissions and the like.
But, I wanted to put this out there because I hope that folks (who aren't in the industry) might appreciate the insight, and also learn how to figure out what is going on when you plug your <insert power demand item here>. :)
13 votes -
Poland to launch construction of first nuclear plant after EU approves €14bn in state aid
12 votes -
Tweaks to state laws mean many Americans will be able to benefit from small, simple plug-in solar panels
32 votes -
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant appears set to begin restart
11 votes -
As US-based company Lyten prepares to restart battery production, Northvolt's downfall has cast a chill over Sweden's ambitions to reindustrialize around clean technology
9 votes -
How to brew solar powered coffee
17 votes -
Finland’s big idea: turning data center heat into power
10 votes -
MIT researchers develop polymer film that could prevent solar panel corrosion
11 votes -
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past eighteen months, analysis finds
41 votes -
Britain gives go-ahead to smaller nuclear reactor in Wales
10 votes -
Swedish parliament votes to allow uranium mining – now classed as a concession mineral, especially useful for society
12 votes -
How nuclear power ambitions aim to wean Finland off Russian energy – nuclear share in electricity production went from 28% in 2022 to 39% in 2025
15 votes -
Study suggests that the Universe's expansion 'is now slowing, not speeding up'
51 votes -
Australia has so much solar that it's offering everyone free electricity
32 votes -
Nuclear’s big mistake - linear no-threshold
14 votes -
There’s a reason US electricity prices are rising. And it’s not data centers.
24 votes -
Curtailment - the wind industry’s $1 billion problem (and how to fix it)
5 votes