·
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:
- Condemn Russian aggression and help impose sanctions regime
- 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.’)
- Continue shutting down baseload power-generating nuclear reactors
- Turn to alternative energy sources like…natural gas, coal, and intermittent wind and solar
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
Renewables
Oil, gas, coal (hydrocarbons)
- Russia supplies around 70% of European Coal
- 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/