Plus: Change land use to avoid hungry future; Record gas use in US
Hi Everyone,
I’m taking a bit of a departure from my usual format. Take a look at my comments on the first article. While I do spend time thinking about what might accelerate the pace of the transition from a social expectation standpoint, I am also challenging myself to consider what it will take to achieve a desired future – and what actions are needed today to put us on a path that would realize that future sooner than later.
I will be taking a break next week, so watch for the next issue on August 25th.
As always, comments and ideas welcome. I want to thank both Paul on Vancouver Island and Bruce from Paris, Ontario for reaching out. I am learning from you both. Feel free to point out stories to me you think are worth highlighting. And do continue to forward on to others you think would be interested and encourage them to subscribe.
Thanks,
Peter
Wood Mackenzie claims world will still get 85% of its energy from fossil fuels in 2040 | Cleantech News
Comment: There were other articles covering Wood Mackenzie’s latest report predicting the energy mix in 2040, but I chose Steve Hanley’s take on it. I read his articles regularly for the window he provides into the perspective held by many about the urgency of transitioning away from/off of gas, oil and coal. It’ my way of being deliberate to listen to the perspectives held by others – something I encourage all of us to do. As for Wood Mackenzie report, it sits behind a pay wall and while I happen to have access, much of it repeats that said before by others: (see WE Forum from 2017) that the energy system is so big, has so much inertia, that will take decades to transition. And while I prefer not to post about forecasts, Steve’s reaction demonstrates how the ‘social contract’ (providing affordable energy) oil and gas have enjoyed for decades is beginning to fray. This is the classic representation of the gap between how fast it should happen (per Steve’s sentiments) vs how fast it can happen (per Wood Mackenzie’s forecast).
As an ‘oil and gas guy’, understanding how demand may change in the future is important to the livelihoods of many. So the social dimension of acceptance of the energy mix is something to which I pay a lot of attention. It is among the hardest things to predict. While a speedy alteration to the energy mix might not be projected easily using the usual tools of the trade, I can’t help wonder what would galvanize the global community to act faster. Got ideas and thoughts on this you want to share?
One last thing: to Steve – roughly 80% of product life cycle emissions are at the consumer. Changing consumer behavior, and therefore demand for fossil fuels – particularly for those in Asia where the biggest difference can be made for the climate by altering the energy mix there – is key. So you are pointing the finger at pretty well everyone for using the earth as a communal toilet. Not exactly a great way to enroll people.
Excerpt: So let’s stop feeling bad for polluters. It’s time to put people first, not those who use the Earth as a communal toilet. Anything else is just self-serving blather by those who believe they have a God given right to pollute. That kind of twisted thinking is one of the central tenets of the weaponized version of capitalism popular today, especially at the highest levels of the US government.
It’s time to change our thinking and stop apologizing for wanting to keep global temperatures from skyrocketing. We have a right to demand a clean environment, one that allows humans and all species to thrive. What could possibly be objectionable about that?
UN climate report: Change land use to avoid hungry future | AP News
Excerpt: Human-caused climate change is dramatically degrading the Earth’s land and the way people use the land is making global warming worse, a new United Nations scientific report says. That creates a vicious cycle which is already making food more expensive, scarcer and less nutritious.
US Installs 736 Megawatts Of New Wind As Pipeline Grows To Record Highs | CleanTechnica
Excerpt: In terms of actual new wind energy capacity installed in the second quarter, the sector saw 736 MW of wind power commissioned, bringing the country’s cumulative wind energy capacity to 97,960 MW with more than 57,000 wind turbines operating across 41 states and two US territories. Combined, US wind farms now provide enough electricity to power over 30 million average US homes, and is reliably providing more than 20% of the electricity in six US states.
Big Money Starts to Dump Stocks That Pose Climate Risks | BNN Bloomberg
Excerpt: The results confirmed his fears: Tiny tweaks to government policies could cause oil demand to halve or to almost double by 2050. The crude market could become exceptionally volatile, and investors would probably start fleeing within the next five years. The model helped LGIM rank companies most at risk to climate change. “Uncertainty around the level of demand growth creates massive instability in the way oil markets work, and that has all sorts of implications for investors,” says Stansbury, who’s now head of commodities research.
Ørsted earnings hold firm as utility on track for ‘ambitious green transformation’ | Current News
Excerpt: It achieved this, chief executive Henrik Poulsen said, undertaking “one of the most ambitious green transformations in the global energy industry”, triggered by a commitment to the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Its share of energy generation determined to be green rose from 71% to 82% in H1 2019, and Poulsen said the firm was on track to meets it target of achieving a 98% reduction in its carbon emission intensity from generation by 2025.
Canada’s Power Corporation Jumps Into US Community Solar With Nautilus Acquisition | Greentech Media
Comment: I hear this over and over about the strategic moves companies are making to get closer to the customer. Is there such a thing for an oil and gas exploration and production company?
Excerpt: “You need a bit more agility to operate in the community solar space, you need to have a strong local understanding [and] the financing is a bit more difficult because you’re smaller-scale,” Perras told Greentech Media. “But that comes with higher returns. We like that sector, and we feel it’s the future to be closer to the client.”
U.S. hit record gas consumption in July | Houston Chronicle
Excerpt: On July 19 the nation’s burned 44.5 billion cubic feet of gas, exceeding the previous record, which was set last summer, according to a report Monday by the Energy Information Administration.
“Higher-than-normal temperatures and relatively low natural gas prices contributed to increased natural gas consumption by electric generators,” the report read. “Higher electricity demand for air conditioning during a heat wave from July 15 through July 22 drove the increased power generation, especially from natural gas-fired generators.”
BP bolsters global EV charging footprint with new network deal | Current News
Excerpt: The new joint venture will see charging hubs installed across China, and a pilot site has already opened with ten chargers ranging in speeds from 60-120kW. Didi Chuxing is a multi-faceted transportation company, headquartered in Beijing, which has an extensive operations network include app-based taxi or car hailing, fleet operation services and electric vehicle charging.
A new type of engine for electric cars | Economist
Excerpt: Putting motors in wheels lightens vehicles and shrinks batteries
Comment: I’ve seen this on motorcylces, but not on cars…yet, at least.
