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Since the 1990's, electricity demand has remained relatively flat despite the economic growth of the country. But as increased electrification and demand for new data centers intensifies, that demand for new power is changing. Utilities are having to adapt to market conditions that demand faster, more flexible additions of power capacity to the grid.

But changing existing utility processes and models is tougher than it looks. In this episode, Paul discusses how utilities may be underestimating the load growth in their areas, and the implications that this bottleneck may have on climate action and the energy transition.

For more research:

"Reality Check: Electricity Load Growth Does Not Have to Undermine Climate Goals" - RMI

"What’s the State of Utility Planning Halfway through 2024?" - RMI

"US utilities to face significant challenge as power demand surges for the first time in decades" - Wood Mackenzie

"Gridlock: the demand dilemma facing the US power industry" - Wood Mackenzie

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Lithium Ion batteries are the backbone of the EV revolution. And car manufacturers are constantly seeking new ways to remove cost and improve the range of these battery packs. Part of their solution has been to tweak the chemistry of these batteries - but added value in one area sometimes necessitates a trade off in another.

In this episode, Paul discusses the changing chemistry of lithium ion batteries in the EV market, the impact that this has on the economics of vehicles, and how consumers should be thinking about battery composition when considering their next EV purchase.

For more research:

"Exploring the Different Types of Lithium-Ion Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles" - Ioncore Technology

"Charted: Lithium-Ion Batteries Keep Getting Cheaper" - Visual Capitalist

"Battery cell prices fall to record low in September, says report" - Reuters

"A new generation of cheaper batteries is sweeping the EV industry" - Canary Media

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With millions of miles of gas distribution pipelines under our feet, the transition away from gas and toward electrification needs to account for that existing infrastructure somehow. And that comes with risks, not only to gas distribution companies but to their customers as well.

Understanding, anticipating and managing these risks is a vital part of a safe, equitable transition. To discuss this topic, Paul is joined by Jan Rosenow of Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP). They really dig into what is needed to decommission an entire industry.

For the full interview with Jan, visit our sister podcast, More Than Eight Minutes.

For further research:

Jan Rosenow

Regulatory Assistance Project

"The elephant in the room: How do we regulate gas transportation infrastructure as gas demand declines?" - Rosenow, Lowes & Kemfert

"Planning and regulating Europe’s gas networks: breaking up with fossil gas" - Regulatory Assistance Project

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In this episode, Paul steps back from the individual technologies and business processes that are driving the energy transition, and looks at the interconnected systems that need to be reimagined as well. For some systems, this may be intuitive, such as in the need to develop the ecosystem of supporting infrastructure for EVs. But other interconnected, dependent systems are more nuanced and reflect the challenges policy makers, utilities, and regulators have to manage a transition that is occurring at a different pace and scale across industries and across the globe.

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As the world launches into COP29 in Azerbaijan, this week, it may be useful for us to review some of the sustainability metrics that the world has agreed to as a foundation for peace, prosperity - and a world devoid of climate change.

There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) in total, though not all of them deal with climate. The ones that do, though, provide us a bit of a report card on how we're doing, as a globe, in combating climate change. In this episode, Paul explains a bit more as to what these SDGs represent - and highlights some of the findings from the UN's latest report card.

For further research:

"The 17 Goals" - United Nations

"2024 Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals" - United Nations

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The United Nations estimates that we lose about one third of our global food supply every year to waste and loss. And that organic matter contributes about 10% of our global emissions each year.

Getting a hold on our food waste is a big issue and a huge opportunity, not only for climate action but also in economic terms. In this episode, Paul breaks down the different points in the food value chain where spoilage and waste occurs - and discusses some of the innovative solutions that are emerging to address these issues.

For more research:

"The Enormous Scale Of Global Food Waste" - Stastita

"Food loss and waste account for 8-10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions; cost USD 1 trillion annually" - UNFCCC

"7 innovative solutions for fighting food waste" - World Economic Forum

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The DOE recently released a report outlining a pathway for the US to meet recent pledges of tripling of domestic nuclear capacity by 2050. Nuclear needs to play a role in a clean energy economy, but the industry may be fooling itself in thinking that learning curve cost decreases will help to make these advanced nuclear reactors more economically viable.

In this episode, Paul discusses the challenges facing the nuclear industry in reducing costs, including the need to customize between facilities, the challenge in translating workforce experience across construction firms, and the ongoing costs associated with the high regulatory hurdles associated with this technology.

How can the US support new nuclear, but in a way that ensures affordability for the energy transition?

For more research:

"Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Advanced Nuclear" - Department of Energy

"To meet US nuclear goals, big reactors need to get built today, DOE says" - Canary Media

"Historical construction costs of global nuclear power reactors" - Jessica Lovering, et al. (2016)

"The economics of nuclear power: Further evidence on learning, economies of scale, and regulatory effects" - Cantor, et al. (1988)

"EDF’s UK Hinkley Nuclear Costs Balloon as Plant Delayed Anew" - Bloomberg

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Paul reflects a bit on having just completed the second year of hosting Eight Minutes, and takes a moment to indulge in how the process of developing climate strategy needs to change if we are to keep up with the rapid advances in climate industries. Long term strategic planning may need to be replaced by "agile" strategic processes.

For more research:

"CCUS Market Outlook 2023: Announced Capacity Soars by 50%" - Bloomberg New Energy Finance

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After the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton over the past few weeks, it's a good time to review the science on why (and how) warming sea temperatures are affecting the intensity of these mega storms. Big, intense tropical cyclones are a part of our future and we should understand why today's storms are so much more powerful than those of just a few decades ago.

For further research:

"Are hurricanes getting worse? Here’s what you need to know" - NPR

"Yet another hurricane wetter, windier and more destructive because of climate change" - World Weather Attribution

"Why Hurricane Milton Got So Strong, So Fast" - NY Times (video)

"A Force of Nature: Hurricanes in a Changing Climate" - NASA

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For all of the economic advantages being created by the energy transition, some of that value isn't being fully captured by consumers who don't fully understand their utility bill. As energy prices are rising and these bills are becoming more complex and obtuse, maybe now is a good time to review how utilities are charging for not only the power that they provide, but also the policies that their state regulatory commissions are encouraging.

For further reference:

"The simple way to read your electric bill" - Energy Sage

"How Much Electricity Prices Increase Per Year in the U.S." - Solar Reviews

"Getting Answers: solar and EV charges on electric bills" - Western Mass News

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