Redefining Energy - TECH

Michael Barnard
undefined
Feb 5, 2025 • 53min

45. China’s Balancing Act: Coal, Renewables and Nuclear (1/2)

In Episode 45 of the *Redefining Energy TECH* series, host Michael Barnard invites David Fishman, a senior manager at Lantau Group. David delves into the intricacies of China's energy landscape, highlighting the country's efforts to balance growth and decarbonization. Despite coal's continued dominance, constituting 55-60% of the energy mix, Fishman discusses measures aimed at limiting its growth. While projections suggest a slight increase in coal consumption due to weaker hydropower performance, China is making strides to shut down smaller, less efficient coal plants. Efforts to grow electricity consumption without proportionally increasing coal usage remain a priority, with current coal plant utilization rates around 48-49%.Natural gas plays a minor role in China’s power generation, primarily confined to coastal regions where LNG imports supplement energy needs. LNG is an emerging trend in transportation, with 8% of heavy long-distance trucks now powered by LNG, offering an alternative to diesel. The rise of electric vehicles is also noteworthy, as Tesla sales in China grew by 8.8%, bucking the trend of global sales declines.China’s nuclear sector, once envisioned as a central pillar of its energy strategy, has faced delays but is now regaining momentum. The development of domestic nuclear technology, particularly the Hualong 1 reactor, has enabled the approval of ten new reactors annually since 2022. Although nuclear energy’s role has shifted from a backbone solution to a niche yet critical component, Fishman underscores its potential importance in achieving the final stages of grid decarbonization.The episode also explores China’s robust progress in renewable energy. Wind and solar power, which began scaling up in the late 2000s, are now adding an impressive 300 gigawatts annually, consistently exceeding targets. While nuclear remains behind on its ambitious goals, renewables continue to lead the charge in transforming China’s energy system. Fishman reflects on the unique scalability of China’s nuclear program, noting the challenges other countries may face in replicating its rapid progress. With renewables, nuclear, and a shifting transportation landscape, China’s energy future presents both challenges and opportunities for decarbonization.
undefined
Jan 22, 2025 • 48min

44. Critical Minerals: the new Gold Rush (2/2)

In this second part, Gavin Mudd, director of the Critical Minerals Intelligence Center at the British Geological Survey, shares insights into the pivotal role of minerals in the energy transition. While Australia boasts abundant resources, Mudd highlights significant gaps in expertise and labor to extract these materials efficiently. He underscores the urgency of restructuring the iron ore sector to enable green steel production, pointing out that Australia exports four times more energy through coal and natural gas than it consumes domestically. Although lithium mining has surged from $50 million to billions in exports over a decade, Mudd notes it is unlikely to rival coal and LNG in economic impact.The discussion also tackles the challenges of recycling critical minerals, especially lithium batteries. Unlike lead-acid batteries, which benefit from established regulations and high recycling rates, lithium batteries pose difficulties due to evolving chemistries. Mudd calls for improved regulations, better product design, and increased consumer education to address these recycling hurdles. He also raises concerns about dwindling supplies of antimony and its dissipative use, highlighting the broader need for sustainable management of critical minerals.A crucial distinction between mineral resources and reserves forms another part of the conversation. While resources represent known quantities of materials, reserves refer to what is currently profitable to extract—a difference often misunderstood. Mudd emphasizes the importance of robust data collection and analysis, noting that many critical minerals lack reserve estimates due to their byproduct status.Despite these challenges, Mudd remains optimistic. He dispels fears of resource shortages, highlighting increasing global availability of critical minerals and the potential of recycling to reduce environmental impact. By advocating for innovative approaches like reprocessing mine tailings and improving supply chain data, he envisions a future where technological ingenuity overcomes current barriers to sustainability.This episode calls for bold action, from restructuring Australia’s iron ore sector to enhancing data strategies for byproduct minerals, offering a roadmap for advancing the energy transition sustainably and effectively.
undefined
Jan 8, 2025 • 48min

43. Critical Minerals: the new Gold Rush (1/2)

In the latest episode of *Redefining Energy Tech*, host Michael Barnard is joined by Gavin Mudd, director of the Critical Minerals Intelligence Center at the British Geological Survey, for an insightful discussion on critical minerals, their supply risks, and the environmental challenges posed by mining practices. Mudd, an environmental engineer with extensive expertise in assessing the ecological impacts of the mining sector, shares his perspective on the growing demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, emphasizing their importance in the transition to renewable energy technologies.The conversation delves into the global supply risks associated with critical minerals, highlighting factors such as production concentration, trade dependencies, recycling, and the economic and national security implications of shortages. Lithium and cobalt emerge as key materials for battery technologies, with a noted shift toward lithium iron phosphate batteries in China. Mudd also discusses the substitutability of certain materials, such as aluminum replacing copper in wiring, as a potential mitigation strategy.The episode sheds light on rare earth elements, which, despite being found globally, are overwhelmingly processed and refined in China. This dominance raises environmental concerns, particularly regarding radioactive residues like thorium and uranium associated with rare earth minerals. Mudd notes that while China is improving its environmental management practices, the rest of the world must also address these challenges by developing better systems for managing radioactive waste.A key theme is the expertise gap between China and Western countries in mining and processing. Mudd highlights the decline in mining and geology programs in Western universities, driven by negative perceptions of the industry. This expertise gap exacerbates the challenges of securing sustainable mineral supplies and addressing environmental impacts. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need to attract new talent to the sector, improve the industry's image, and address the critical shortage of geologists and mining engineers.The discussion concludes with a forward-looking proposal for a Global Mining Legacy Fund, aimed at addressing environmental damage from legacy mines. Mudd calls for greater government intervention to secure critical mineral supplies and balance the benefits of globalization with the risks to supply chains. Actionable recommendations include researching better management practices for radioactive residues, enhancing the perception of the mining industry to attract students, and implementing initiatives like the Global Mining Legacy Fund as outlined in the UN Secretary General's report.
undefined
Dec 18, 2024 • 53min

42. The HVDC Grid Revolution (2/2)

Michael Barnard concludes his conversation with John Fitzgerald, CEO of Supernode. They explore the game-changing potential of superconducting transmission technology. Superconductors, capable of carrying electricity with zero resistance at extremely low temperatures, are already used in applications like MRI machines and are now poised to revolutionize urban power distribution.Fitzgerald highlights advances in cryogenic systems, such as smooth bore cryostats, which allow cables to run three times longer between cooling stations, reducing infrastructure needs and enhancing efficiency. The episode spotlights projects like Munich’s upcoming 12-15 km superconducting power cable, which will transfer more power using less space, offering a cost-competitive solution for urban energy demands. Fitzgerald also underscores the importance of developing a European super grid and anticipatory investments in high-capacity power corridors to address growing renewable energy integration and reduce curtailment. He contrasts Europe’s efforts with rapid grid advancements in India and China, emphasizing the need for proactive planning and investment.Looking ahead, Supernode aims to commercialize its technology by the end of the decade. Fitzgerald calls on policymakers, utilities, and system operators to bridge gaps in energy infrastructure, establish partnerships, and secure funding to promote innovative transmission solutions for a sustainable future.
undefined
Dec 4, 2024 • 44min

41. The HVDC Grid Revolution (1/2)

Michael Barnard invites John Fitzgerald, the CEO of Supernode. John delves into the transformative potential of energy transmission technologies and the critical role of interconnectors in shaping the future of renewable energy. Drawing from his extensive background in engineering and utility management, Fitzgerald recounts his journey in the energy sector, which includes developing power stations, trading over interconnectors, and spearheading the East West Interconnector project between Ireland and the UK. His leadership at Supernode reflects his commitment to advancing superconducting transmission technology as a solution to modern energy challenges.Fitzgerald discusses the inherent limitations of alternating current (AC) transmission, particularly for underground and underwater cables, and highlights the advantages of direct current (DC) technology for long-distance energy distribution. He explains the technical intricacies of DC systems, including their capacity to manage inertia and integrate non-synchronous renewable energy. Throughout the episode, Fitzgerald emphasizes the need to address public consultation challenges in infrastructure projects to ensure the successful deployment of energy transmission networks.A central theme of the conversation is the evolving role of interconnectors. Once primarily used to exploit price differences between energy markets, interconnectors are now crucial for balancing variable renewable energy across regions. Fitzgerald explores the immense potential of continental-scale grids in Europe and advocates for tripling grid capacity to meet future energy demands. He also highlights groundbreaking projects like Sun Cable, which aims to connect Australia to Singapore, and the NATO-L project, which envisions transatlantic power transmission, underscoring the benefits of intercontinental energy connectivity for enhancing energy security.The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the energy transition. Fitzgerald calls for greater investment in HVDC technology, praises China's advancements in this area, and urges listeners to stay informed about opportunities to integrate renewables through interconnectors. By fostering interconnected grids, he argues, the global energy landscape can achieve greater efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.
undefined
Nov 20, 2024 • 54min

40: Buses - Hydrogen vs Batteries (2/2)

In this second part of the episode, Michael Raynor and Michael Barnard offer an in-depth analysis of the comparison between hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric buses, focusing on key findings and discrepancies in a recent CUTRIC study. Barnard critically examines issues related to replacement cycles, carbon pricing, refuelling facilities and individual bus complexity. He highlights the study’s failure to account for technological advancements in batteries, such as decreasing costs and improving lifespans, which position battery electric buses as a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.  Raynor digs into financial projections and the challenges of managing multiple bus technologies in transit systems like Brampton’s. He applies his expertise related to scenario-based planning, gained in his Harvard DBA and published in his 2007 book, The Strategy Paradox, pointing out flaws in CUTRIC’s use of point estimates without error bars. Raynor notes the complexity involved in maintaining hydrogen buses, both in terms of infrastructure and organizational demands, compared to simpler battery systems. He raises concerns about Brampton’s decision to move forward with a potentially expensive and inefficient hydrogen pilot, citing a $1.1 billion discrepancy caused by timing assumptions in hydrogen bus deployment.  Raynor also explores how the study’s reliance on discounting future costs skews financial comparisons between the two technologies. He discusses the need for carbon emissions to be integrated into transit planning decisions and contrasts CUTRIC’s analysis with the EU’s more sophisticated approach to carbon pricing.  The episode concludes with Raynor’s personal reflection on the difficulties of tackling climate challenges while underscoring the importance of rigorous evaluation processes in transit planning. Raynor and Barnard call for Brampton’s transit proposals to undergo third-party reviews and improved quality control to ensure transparency and better decision-making.
undefined
Nov 6, 2024 • 45min

39: Buses - Hydrogen vs Batteries (1/2)

In this episode, host Michael Barnard engages in an enlightening conversation with Michael Raynor, co-author of The Innovator’s Solution and an expert in carbon reduction strategies. Raynor shares his personal journey into sustainability, the evolution of his focus on decarbonization, and his current work developing innovative solutions for addressing corporate carbon challenges. A key topic in the discussion is the Raynor’s new firm, S3 Markets, which emphasizes the need to decarbonize upstream commodities to meet net zero commitments. Rayner highlights the difficulty corporations face in managing Scope 3 emissions and suggests shifting from traditional carbon offsets to “insets,” where companies pool small investments to make a meaningful impact. This approach targets the 80-90 high-emission commodities responsible for the bulk of industrial emissions, which make up 15% of global GDP.The conversation takes a practical turn as Raynor discusses Mississauga’s hydrogen bus pilot program. He recounts how he identified potential issues with the initiative and reached out directly to the city’s mayor and council. His insights led to an invitation to present his findings to the Mississauga City Council on October 30th. The conversation turns to Barnard’s dive into the CUTRIC (Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium) in advancing urban transit decarbonization through research and policy recommendations, as well as some red flags.Barnard and Raynor explore the financial and environmental trade-offs between hydrogen and battery-electric buses. Barnard provides a critical analysis of data from California and the EU’s JIVE program, showing that hydrogen buses come with significant costs for refuelling infrastructure and maintenance. Comparatively, for the cost of five hydrogen buses, municipalities could procure twelve battery-electric buses, making the latter more attractive both financially and environmentally.The episode wraps up with a closer look at CUTRIC’s recent report for Brampton, where Barnard identifies questionable assumptions about hydrogen system costs. One factor alone, the cost assumption for gray hydrogen could have a $200 million swing, dwarfing the $10 million variance called out justifying a blended hydrogen + battery electric fleet instead of a battery electric only fleet.Raynor examines the varying carbon costs of different hydrogen types—gray, blue, and green—and emphasizes the importance of carefully choosing technologies based on actual benefits. The battery-electric buses offer superior emissions reduction per dollar spent. 
undefined
Oct 23, 2024 • 53min

38. Methane crisis unveiled… and how to fix it (2/2)

Rob Jackson, Chair of the Global Carbon Project and author, dives into the methane crisis and its dire implications for climate change. He reveals that human activities contribute two-thirds of methane emissions, primarily from agriculture and fossil fuels. Jackson discusses innovative solutions such as transitioning to electric appliances and improving practices in oil and gas. He emphasizes the urgent need for regulatory changes and highlights promising strategies in agriculture, including reducing livestock methane through feed additives. The holistic approach links methane reduction to enhanced public health and climate benefits.
undefined
Oct 9, 2024 • 38min

37. Methane crisis unveiled… and how to fix it (1/2)

Rob Jackson, Chair of the Global Carbon Project and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute, tackles the urgent issue of methane emissions, revealing that it's 80-90 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in its early years. He uncovers health risks from gas stoves and discusses how methane leaks throughout the natural gas supply chain challenge its 'clean' label. Jackson also highlights the technological advancements in detecting methane super-emitters but warns of difficulties in identifying smaller leaks, stressing the need for immediate action.
undefined
Sep 25, 2024 • 43min

36. Climate Change, Gray Rhinos and Black Swans (2/2)

In Episode 36 of the "Redefining Energy" series, host Michael Barnard engages Michele Wucker in a nuanced discussion about the complex nature of risk, focusing on the distinction between risk profiles and risk fingerprints.These fingerprints, shaped by an individual's inherent traits, experiences, and environmental influences, are crucial in understanding how people and organizations perceive and manage risks.The conversation emphasizes climate change as a significant "gray rhino" that requires strategic, rather than merely tactical, responses. Wucker examines the fossil fuel industry's risk perceptions, considering the potential for these companies to transition into the clean energy sector and exploring the implications of peak oil demand.The episode also addresses the evolving risk landscape in the wake of COVID-19, highlighting the importance of shared responsibility between individuals and corporations in reducing carbon footprints and adopting sustainable practices. Wucker underscores the need for collaborative efforts and the role of governments in shaping behaviors through policies and incentives. In the final segment, the discussion turns to the equitable distribution of risks and benefits in policy-making, particularly concerning independent workers.The episode advocates for improved systems to support these workers and stresses the importance of understanding personal risk decisions and their broader impact on society.    

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app