Green energy: Which sources are the most sustainable?

Fossil fuels still supply about 80% of the world’s power. How can energy be produced and used more sustainably to meet climate targets? We answer your questions. film supported by @Infosys

00:00 - Why energy needs to become more sustainable
00:33 - How much energy should come from renewables?
01:19 - Why isn’t nuclear power used more widely?
02:19 - How can solar power be made more efficient?
03:34 - Will biofuels become widely used?
04:30 - Do electric vehicles make a difference?
05:10 - How heating and air conditioning can be more sustainable

[maxwellvandenberg]

Zoning is a big issue here, but isn't usually brought up in this context. A lot of city space being zoned for single family housing results in low population density, which makes it more difficult for busses to be run efficiently and hence increases car dependence and emissions associated with that.

[michelem.]

Excellent points covered here. No perfect solutions but here's my suggestions:

* Stop ignoring the basic's (extremely efficient insulation). We need to reduce the costs of VIPs & VIGs (Vacuum insulated Panels & Vacuum insulated Glass). Wide scale use of these (cars, houses, refrigerators etc) would significantly reduce power demands.
* Overbuild off-shore wind farms and rooftop solar. Any surplus energy could be stored (batteries, pumped hydro, etc)--and when these are "full", dump the excess into H2 production. This H2 would be essentially free--since the surplus power would otherwise be wasted.
* Get rid of ALL fossil fuel 'base load' power plants. Add small/modular nuclear plants (preferably Thorium) as needed to supplement battery storage.
* All EV's should have V2X (vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-house, vehicle-to-vehicle) capability. This way every EV (car, bus, truck etc.) is dual use--and thus, a potential mini power plant.

[benbrown]

I'm pretty amazed that so far every accident that's happened in my state has not been covered by the company but by the ratepayers. If you're a shareholder you are scot-free whatever accident happens

[ekegvpw]

One of the most truthful reports and least politically biased reports on sustainability! Well done!😊

[mrkokolore]

Very reasonable view on things. Keep it up. Like to see more of those.

[christophvonpezold]

I think the point about nuclear is really important. It is one of our best options for sustainable baseload energy and we need to use _all_ of our options, and we can't let politics get in the way of saving the planet

[aaronvallejo]

I agree. Super high insulation in all buildings. Then high efficiency appliances and lighting. Then mini split heat pumps for heating and cooling requiring 25% of electricity. On site solar PV recharging electric vehicles with regional wind and solar PV facilities along with grid batteries at all substations.

[atenas]

To have an all EV fleet:
Li mining goes up 2, 800%
Co mining goes up 2, 000%
Rare Earth metals mining goes up 655%
Graphite, Ni, Mn and Al has to go up
Cu has to increase at least 18%

[PF_Health]

Nuclear is the largest source of clean energy (over 50%). Nuclear fuel is extremely energy dense: 1 uranium pellet = 17, 000 CF of natural gas = 1 ton of coal = 120 gallons oil

[wesleybest]

I wish there were more about Hydrogen here. Hydrogen electrolyzer and Fuel Cell technology is likely to have some breakthroughs in the future. Plug Power just made a giant factory in New York. And there are new more sustainable technologies on the horizon with AEM electrolyzer tech being developed by Enapter and Alchemr.

[climatehero]

Harnessing ocean wave energy has yet to be developed and that is a crucial part of the solution.

[steddyeddy]

love it! What happened with the 'To a lesser degree' podcast??

[shri]

I say this is very prudent and realistic assessment in the present scenario! 👍

[white_skinned_bitch]

It is been felt everywhere, can't you see?!

[ili]

NUCLEAR! I’m glad this is being discussed, because we have incredible ignorance and stupidity standing in our way. If you’re anti-nuclear, please challenge your assumptions and/or misinformation.. read and learn

[theoa]

Nuclear isn't economic. We would better off working on the problem of storing wind + solar and shipping it around the country as needed. This is the more sustainable way to go. Will work for Billions of years.

[kennethridesabike]

How about instead of only viewing EVs as a solution, we improve our cities to not be so car dependent (mainly US and Canada). If I don’t need a vehicle at all and only bus, walk, bike, or train, then that’ll definitely beat EVs in carbon emissions faster

[ivanc-s]

Well presented, with joined-up-thinking. Have shared around...

[gordonwiessner]

And what is the cost in environmental damage to manufacture, maintain, and dispose of this so-called friendly technologies? Lithium, plastics, chemical coatings, mined metals, and other components not recyclable or biodegradable?

[tokepanduro]

Biomass is likely to be part of an energy storage solution and EVs are always the better choice relative to fossil-fueled cars in terms of CO2 emissions - even if the electric grid is based on coal.