Cambrian Explosion

Cambrian Explosion

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Cambrian Explosion episodes

  • Episode 2: Is it time to go nuclear?

    We discuss the energy crisis created by the Ukraine War.


    We talk about retrofitting and insulation.


    We talk about the nuclear option.

    _______________

    Show Notes:

    Context

    • Climate In a dramatic start to 2023, a winter heat wave smashed January records across Europe. (Washington Post)
    • War in Ukraine energy crisis for the west - Global impact of war in Ukraine: Energy crisis

      • Nuclear

      As Russia wages war on Ukraine, Europe has adopted a four-fold strategy:

      1. Condemn Russian aggression and help impose sanctions regime
      2. Continue importing Russian oil due to fears of high fuel prices: Shell and Vitol accused of prolonging Ukraine war with sanctions ‘loophole’ ('Europe continues to import about 250,000 barrels a day via pipeline from Russia as it attempts to balance hurting the Russian economy with concerns over supplies and fuel prices.')
      3. Continue shutting down baseload power-generating nuclear reactors
      4. Turn to alternative energy sources like…natural gas, coal, and intermittent wind and solar

        5. Rebuttals to usual anti-nuclear fearmongering rhetoric:  https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1580814439875776513.html

        Current Nuclear fuel comes from Russia, Kazakhstan and Niger: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Nuclear_energy_statistics#Uranium_supply_security

        Niger and Kazakstan are in Russian orbit: https://www.voaafrica.com/a/can-blinken-sway-niger-from-russia-china-influence-/7010365.html


        Canada working on small nuclear reactors: https://smractionplan.ca/


        Developments in Renewable techs:

        • Batteries - Why 2023 is a breakout year for batteries
          • solid-state batteries - smaller, better performance, safer
          • Sodium-ion batteries may not improve performance, but they could cut costs because they rely on cheaper, more widely available materials than lithium-ion chemistries do
          • iron-air battery that uses a water-based electrolyte and basically stores energy using reversible rusting
          • Solar - Chart: Which country dominates the solar supply chain?
            • Insulation -
              • https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/straw-bale-construction/
              • https://wildsight.ca/2022/03/07/home-retrofits/#:~:text=Retrofitting%20a%20home%20means%20updating,doors%2C%20and%20improving%20air%20sealing.
              • https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-grant/start-your-energy-efficient-retrofits/plan-document-and-complete-your-home-retrofits/eligible-grants-for-my-home-retrofit/23504
                • Lack of retrofit options for apartment and condos - typically these are the “renters” so the retrofit help rich get richer than drive down costs for renters
                • This helps owners and owners have no incentives to retrofit rented out homes
                  • Geothermal -

                      • https://www.dw.com/en/we-are-entering-the-golden-age-of-geothermal-energy/a-64127592

                      https://pemedianetwork.com/carbon-economist/articles/net-zero-strategies/2022/outlook-2023-the-geothermal-prize-in-tackling-the-energy-trilemma/

                      • RenewablesOil, gas, coal (hydrocarbons)
                        • Russia supplies around 70% of European Coal
                        • ⁠Factbox: Europe ramps up coal imports as energy supply fears grow⁠
                        • China brokers agreement between Saudi Arabia & Iran
                        • https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/europe-ramps-up-coal-imports-energy-supply-fears-grow-2022-07-26/
                          • 41 min

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