Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 64 | Ramez Naam on Renewable Energy and an Optimistic Future
Sep 16, 2019
In this discussion, Ramez Naam, a renowned technologist and science fiction author, shares his insights on renewable energy and an optimistic vision for our future. He highlights the remarkable decline in costs for solar and wind energy, making them strong contenders against traditional fossil fuels. The conversation delves into the transformative journey of solar technology, the impact of industrial emissions, and the role of policy in fostering a sustainable energy landscape. Naam also touches on the potential of brain-computer interfaces and the narrative power of science fiction in shaping public perception.
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Economics of Clean Energy
- Clean energy is becoming cheaper due to falling production costs, not necessarily better technology.
- Solar and wind power are becoming so affordable that building new plants is cheaper than running existing fossil fuel plants.
Why Solar is Getting Cheaper
- Solar panel cost reductions are primarily driven by manufacturing process improvements, not fundamental tech changes.
- These improvements include higher labor productivity, larger machines, automation, and thinner silicon wafers.
Solar Farm vs. Rooftop
- Large-scale solar farms currently provide the most value to the grid due to economies of scale.
- Rooftop solar combined with distributed storage, like home batteries, increases its value at the grid edge.
