Myth busting the politics of renewable energy: Do conservatives really oppose renewable energy?
This is the second in our series. See part 1 here: Myth busting the crazy politics of clean energy: Is Solyndra proof that the US shouldn’t fund clean energy? Myth: Republicans dislike clean energy and don’t believe in climate change Let’s start by reviewing the Democratic party platform on clean energy and climate change. Addressing Climate […]
An interview with Dr. Markus Fischer on the declining costs of solar energy
Bill traveled to Germany to meet with Dr. Markus Fischer, one of the world’s foremost experts on the costs and economics of solar power. Dr. Markus shares the four main reasons that costs will continue to decline for many years to come.
Podcast #032: Expert tips – what you can do to help get to a clean energy future faster
Anya Schoolman, Dr. Jeff Chamberlain, Andy Klump, Roy Torbert and other experts share advice on how each of us can help accelerate the transition to a renewable energy future
January 2020 Clean Energy Headlines
* US research teams aim for long-duration storage at $0.05/kWh
* Microgrids up and running despite earthquake and massive power outage in Puerto Rico
* New electric generating capacity in 2020 will come primarily from wind and solar
* Plus articles and podcasts from the Freeing Energy team
Podcast #031: Nussey and Easterby – Innovation in the power industry is harder than you think, but that is about to change
In this episode of the Freeing Energy podcast, hosts Bill Nussey and Sam Easterby discuss innovation in the power industry, from its hurdles to its promising future.
Podcast #030: Dr. Greg Nemet: How solar became cheap and the lessons for other clean energy technologies
In this episode of the Freeing Energy podcast, Dr. Greg Nemet discusses the factors driving solar’s continued decline in price.
Podcast #029: Nussey and Easterby: Unpacking solar myths around land use, raw materials and agriculture
In this episode of the Freeing Energy podcast, hosts Bill Nussey and Sam Easterby break down some common misconceptions about solar energy.
What is a Megawatt-Hour?
A megawatt-hour is one of the most common measures of electricity. What is it, how does it relate to a megawatt, and how is it created?
December 2019 Clean Energy Headlines
* Goldman Sachs bails on coal
* Breakthrough research on a clean energy grid
* The first peer to peer energy trading market in the US
* Plus articles and podcasts from the Freeing Energy team
A decade of trends points to local solar + battery becoming the cheapest source of electricity
Nuclear and coal plants cost more to build. Transmission investments have grown 10x over the last decade. But somehow solar+battery manages to get cheaper every year.
Technology makes things cheaper… except for the grid
Thanks to technology, industries like transportation, food, and data processing are more affordable than ever before. But there is one technology-heavy industry where prices have been going up… electricity.
Podcast #028: Top Experts – The biggest local energy headlines in 2019 and what they are most excited about in 2020
Listen in as top experts share their views on the biggest local clean energy stories in 2019 and their biggest excitements about 2020.
November 2019 Clean Energy Headlines
* Global use of coal-fired electricity set for largest decline in history.
* Solar on track to become top energy resource by 2035
* Electric cars are lowering the cost of driving.
* Plus articles and podcasts from the Freeing Energy team
Podcast #027: Sunnova CEO John Berger – Will a rapidly evolving residential solar + battery story reshape energy markets?
Host Bill Nussey talks with Sunnova CEO John Berger about his entrepreneurial journey, the origin story of Sunnova, and the future of residential solar+battery systems.
Will the growth of solar power crowd out farmland?
As solar power continues its rapid growth, will its large land requirements crowd out land otherwise needed for agriculture, farms, and pastures?
Podcast 026: Ana Sophia Mifsud – Her story from ground zero – Shaping the energy future of Puerto Rico with microgrids
Listen in or read the transcript as Ana Sophia Mifsud of the Rocky Mountain Institute takes host Bill Nussey on a tour of a microgrid in a rural school in Puerto Rico.
Do we have enough silver, copper, and other materials to keep up with the growth of solar?
Will growing demand for solar panels put pressure on commodity supply chains, driving up costs, and even disrupting other industries? Not even close.
Podcast 025: Roy Torbert – Can tapping people power shape a local energy revolution in Puerto Rico?
Listen in or read the transcript as host Bill Nussey interviews Roy Torbert of RMI about their work to bring together communities and help build resilient local energy for the rural schools in the mountains of Puerto Rico.
Freeing Energy Founder, Bill Nussey, interviewed on Jason Jacobs’ podcast
Successful startup CEO turned climate entrepreneur, Jason Jacobs interviews Bill Nussey on his podcast, My Climate Journey. Bill shares his own journey from the software business to clean energy author and entrepreneur.
Podcast 024: After Maria – How microgrids are helping schools in Puerto Rico stay open during outages
Listen in or read the transcript as host Bill Nussey travels to Puerto Rico to talk with teachers, local leaders, and a team of energy experts to learn how solar microgrids are making schools in rural Puerto Rico more resilient.