Britain’s industrial revolution: what happened to energy demand?
…per person. For example, coal supplies rose 40x from 1660 to 1860, but per-capita end use of coal energy only rose c6.5x, because the prime movers of the early industrial…
Onshore wind: the economics?
The levelized cost of onshore wind is estimated in this economic model, at 5-7c/kWh to generate 5-10% levered IRRs on new wind project costing $1,000-3,000/kW. The model also contains a…
Cryogenic air separation: costs and energy economics?
This data-file calculates the costs of cryogenic air separation units, which are important in the production of industrial gases, ammonia, metals, materials, medical applications and new energy technologies such as…
Nuclear power: what role in the energy transition?
…have held back nuclear growth in the West, as heavy investments and devastating delays can kill IRRs and require 16c/kWh levelized costs (pages 6-7). China is different, constructing new reactors…
Carbon accounting: philosophical investigations?
…accounting (below). https://thundersaidenergy.com/2021/03/25/renewable-energy-certificates-offset-versus-offset/ Scope 1 emissions are also debatable, for example, where Scope 1 emissions sources are only inferred, not measured directly. For example, we estimate that 2% of all…
Energy economics: an overview?
…data-file model provides summary economic ratios from our different economic models across conventional fuels, conventional power, renewables, lower-carbon fuels, manufacturing processes, infrastructure, transportation and nature-based solutions. For example, EBIT margins…
Ethanol: hangover cures?
Could new technologies reinvigorate corn-based ethanol? This 12-page note assesses three options. We are constructive on combining CCS or CO2-EOR with an ethanol plant, which yields a carbon-negative fuel. But…
Energy transition: conclusions from 6-months on the road?
…and I have been working ‘nomadically’, moving to a new location week-after-week. I made it to 44 US States in total, before returning permanently to Europe. https://vimeo.com/557590605 I hope the…
Power cables: carrying capacity and loss rates?
…of CO2. A new wind or solar project might require 100 tons of aluminium, costing $260k, emitting 1,000 tons of CO2. But numbers vary… Power capacity and loss rates vary…
Energy transition: top commodities?
…lithium ion batteries, electric vehicles – calls for advanced materials that confer higher performance and longevity. This is our new age of materials thesis. Leading examples are tabulated in the…