No Petroleum, No Problem? - Dr. Simon Michaux, Geological Survey of Finland # 259
Jun 23, 2024
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Dr. Simon Michaux, a professor of geometallurgy and former organic farmer, shares compelling insights on the future of energy. He critiques traditional renewable solutions, proposing a 'purple transition' that utilizes innovative technologies like molten salt thorium reactors. Michaux discusses the complexities of the green transition, the geopolitical implications of oil dependency, and his visionary Prometheus Project for a self-sustaining city. His perspective challenges listeners to rethink energy solutions while considering the finite nature of resources.
The podcast challenges the notion that corporate culture and money are immutable constructs, suggesting they can be redefined for a sustainable future.
Dr. Simon Michaux advocates for a 'purple transition' that incorporates diverse energy solutions beyond just wind and solar to address future energy needs.
Resource limitations for renewable technologies, particularly metals like copper and lithium, highlight the impracticality of relying solely on a green transition.
Innovative approaches like iron powder combustion and thorium molten salt reactors present viable pathways for cleaner industrial processes and sustainable nuclear energy.
Building supportive communities for energy transitions is essential, as local engagement can drive acceptance and innovation in adopting new energy systems.
Deep dives
The Nature of Corporate Culture and Money
Corporate culture is often viewed as a fixed aspect of society, yet the podcast highlights that it is not a law of nature. Instead, it is a construct created by the current society, implying that it can be dismantled and reformed. Money, too, is addressed as a social construct whose use and purpose can be redefined. This perspective encourages listeners to rethink their understanding of both corporate culture and monetary systems.
The Shift from the Green to Purple Transition
The focus shifts from a green transition primarily reliant on wind and solar energy to a proposed 'purple transition' that integrates more diverse energy solutions. The purple transition emphasizes using molten salt thorium reactors, combustion of iron powders, and ammonia-powered internal combustion engines. Discussions elaborating on the limitations of wind and solar show that their raw material needs far exceed Earth's available resources, thereby necessitating alternative energy sources. These insights promote a more sustainable and practical approach to future energy needs.
Resource Limitations for Renewable Energy
The podcast outlines a significant concern regarding the resource requirements for renewable technologies, particularly focusing on metals like copper, nickel, lithium, and cobalt. It indicates that the materials needed to support a green transition vastly outnumber what is available on the planet. Accordingly, if the shift to wind and solar is based on insufficient resources, the implied feasibility is challenged. This realization forces a reconsideration of how society addresses energy solutions.
Innovative Energy Solutions
One of the proposed solutions includes the combustion of iron powders, which could serve as a clean alternative to coal in industrial processes. Iron powder generates high temperatures, making it suitable for manufacturing needs like cement and steel production, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Moreover, the ability to recycle iron oxide back to iron powder effectively forms a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and resource consumption. This approach offers promising potential for a more sustainable industrial sector.
Thorium Reactors As a Game-Changer
The podcast presents thorium molten salt reactors as a revolutionary advancement in nuclear energy technology. Thorium can be used more efficiently than uranium, generating significant amounts of energy with less waste produced. Compared to traditional nuclear systems, thorium reactors are safer, have a reduced environmental impact, and can utilize existing spent nuclear fuel. This technology not only positions itself as an alternative energy source but also as a means of addressing current nuclear waste issues.
The Ammonia-Fueled Future
The discussion on ammonia-fueled internal combustion engines outlines a practical solution for heavy transport and shipping industries transitioning away from petroleum products. Ammonia can be produced from hydrogen, which can be generated in multiple sustainable ways, including through the iron combustion process. Although ammonia has challenges related to toxicity and emissions, innovative catalytic converters could mitigate these effects. This means ammonia engines could pave the way for reduced dependency on oil in the transportation sector.
Circular Economy vs. Resource Balanced Economy
A new framework termed the 'resource balanced economy' is suggested as a refined evolution of the circular economy concept. This model recognizes the interconnectedness of resources, energy, and economic decision-making within a sustainable framework. While the circular economy aims to reduce waste by recycling materials, a resource balanced economy focuses on adjusting the entire system to operate efficiently within the constraints of available resources. This allows for enhanced sustainability in various sectors, ultimately leading to more viable long-term solutions.
Decentralization of Power Systems
The podcast emphasizes the need for decentralized energy systems that can operate independently and with greater resilience. This decentralization can reduce the vulnerabilities associated with large-scale energy production and long-distance transmission. By employing multiple local energy solutions, such as thorium reactors and iron combustion systems, communities can foster energy independence while minimizing their environmental footprint. This commitment to small-scale, local systems can ultimately contribute to a more robust energy landscape.
Cohesion Between Technologies
An essential aspect of the proposed energy solution is the cohesive integration of various technologies, including thorium reactors, iron combustion, and ammonia fuels. The innovative synergy of these elements is set to create a comprehensive energy system capable of addressing multiple needs, from electricity to heavy industry. This interconnectedness promotes efficiency and sustainability while significantly lowering the ecological impact. Each component supports one another, serving to enhance the overall functionality of the energy matrix.
The Role of Community in Transition
The podcast strongly suggests that building supportive communities is critical for the practical implementation of these new energy systems. Engaging local populations and fostering awareness of the transitional possibilities promote acceptance and encourage grassroots innovation. As society grapples with the challenges of energy transition, public support and participation can facilitate experimental ventures that lead to successful models. A collective approach can contribute to reshaping the energy future toward a more sustainable direction.
Dr. Simon Michaux is a professor of geometallurgy at the Geological Survey of Finland. After having spent several years in private industry, he was laid off during one of the regular busts that inevitably accompany booms in the mining sector. In that period, Simon found a new appreciation for the material basis of civilization while taking temporary work as an organic farmer. When he returned to intellectual work as a professor, he brought this real-world understanding to geopolitical assessments, presenting his analyses to everyone from economists to UN delegations. Ultimately, what separates Simon from his peers is his ability to suggest a realistic solution set to the difficulty of planning a technologically accelerating future within the confines of a fundamentally finite material ecosystem. He lays out a set of alternative approaches to nuclear power, combustion power, and engines that will absolutely make you stop and reconsider the possibilities. His presentation begins with the idea that we may be running out of petroleum, but that doesn't mean we have to be running out of fuel. A subsequent podcast will explore Simon's ongoing work to demonstrate his principles in an idealized city-of-the future in the desert of Peru. More on his Prometheus Project to come, very soon.
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00:00 Go!
00:07:41 How I got here and what's the problem
00:15:19 Why the green revolution will fail
00:24:27 Getting involved in government work
00:31:23 An endless war for oil
00:34:59 Are we past peak oil?
00:44:26 an explosion in volatility across the board
00:53:05 Is debt spiraling out of control?
01:02:56 What does joining BRICS look like?
01:09:38 An argument for moving away from oil that has nothing to do with supply or pollution
01:19:56 Productivity and post-oil economies
01:28:53 Resourcing the transition
01:37:41 What are the alternatives?
01:51:42 The Purple Transition
01:56:25 Thorium Molten Salt Reactor
02:14:06 Where does anti-nuclear come from?
02:21:14 Combustion of Iron Powder
02:32:50 Novel battery tech
02:35:46 Ammonia internal combustion engines
02:45:03 Closing thoughts
#sciencepodcast #longformpodcast #Geometallurgy, #SimonMichaux, #GeologicalSurvey, #OrganicFarming, #MaterialBasis, #Civilization, #GeopoliticalAssessments, #SustainableEnergy, #TechnologicalFuture, #FiniteResources, #NuclearPower, #AlternativeEnergy, #Petroleum, #FuelAlternatives, #MiningIndustry, #EnergySolutions, #RenewableEnergy, #EcoInnovation, #PrometheusProject, #FutureCities, #Prometheusproject #venusproject
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PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities.
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