Myths – Energy Transition https://energytransition.org The Global Energiewende Fri, 20 Oct 2017 12:32:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 The state of auctions in Germany https://energytransition.org/2017/10/the-state-of-auctions-in-germany/ https://energytransition.org/2017/10/the-state-of-auctions-in-germany/#comments Mon, 09 Oct 2017 13:00:17 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=15821 Germany has now conducted auctions for wind, solar, and biomass. But if the headlines are optimistic, the outcome is massively oversold. Craig Morris takes a closer look. Will the switch to auctions endanger the Energiewende’s success? (Photo by High Contrast, modified, CC BY 3.0 DE) Numerous commentators continue to praise Germany for switching from feed-in tariffs to auctions.

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/10/the-state-of-auctions-in-germany/feed/ 5 What do deniers get out of their denial? https://energytransition.org/2017/10/what-do-deniers-get-out-of-their-denial/ https://energytransition.org/2017/10/what-do-deniers-get-out-of-their-denial/#comments Wed, 04 Oct 2017 13:00:13 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=15801 Climate change deniers include small number of influential professional doubters, and masses of laypeople. Why does this large group remain skeptical? Craig Morris says team spirit will help more than facts. The US hasn’t always been so divided on science – so what happened? (Photo by Steve Rapport, edited, CC BY 2.0) These days, “tribalism” is frequently cited as the cause of the social rift in...

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/10/what-do-deniers-get-out-of-their-denial/feed/ 5 How to make nuclear look cheap: use sloppy economics https://energytransition.org/2017/09/how-to-make-nuclear-look-cheap-use-sloppy-economics/ https://energytransition.org/2017/09/how-to-make-nuclear-look-cheap-use-sloppy-economics/#comments Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:00:36 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=15665 Various studies on future low-carbon electricity mixes suggest that the least expensive option is one with nuclear along with solar and wind mixed in. But the economists overlook the cost impact of ramping. Craig Morris takes a look. Can solar and nuclear co-exist? The data says nuclear plants aren’t flexible enough. (Public Domain) In 2016, PwC produced a 41-page study for the Belgian Nuclear...

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/09/how-to-make-nuclear-look-cheap-use-sloppy-economics/feed/ 2 4 Reasons Nuclear and Fossil Fuel Supporters Criticizing 100% Renewable Energy Plan Are Wrong https://energytransition.org/2017/08/4-reasons-nuclear-and-fossil-fuel-supporters-criticizing-100-renewable-energy-plan-are-wrong/ https://energytransition.org/2017/08/4-reasons-nuclear-and-fossil-fuel-supporters-criticizing-100-renewable-energy-plan-are-wrong/#comments Tue, 08 Aug 2017 13:00:51 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=15482 Proponents of 100% renewable energy face harsh criticism, even well-respected scientists like Mark Jacobson. He has been arguing for countries to switch to an all-renewables grid for years, both through academic papers and activism. Today, he rebuts the argument that the US should continue using nuclear power and fossil fuels. 100% of our power could be renewable, says Mark Jacobson.

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/08/4-reasons-nuclear-and-fossil-fuel-supporters-criticizing-100-renewable-energy-plan-are-wrong/feed/ 3 Dispatching with “dispatchable” nuclear https://energytransition.org/2017/06/dispatching-with-dispatchable-nuclear/ https://energytransition.org/2017/06/dispatching-with-dispatchable-nuclear/#comments Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:00:22 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=15203 In the US, a debate on “deep decarbonization” is raging: going nearly zero-carbon in energy supply. Journalist David Roberts says we will need “dispatchable” nuclear. Via Twitter, he told readers that, to refute his argument, people need to move beyond their anti-nuke rant and show that we won’t need “dispatchable nuclear.” Craig Morris has a different take: Roberts needs to define “dispatchable.”...

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/06/dispatching-with-dispatchable-nuclear/feed/ 6 Trump is normalizing climate skepticism https://energytransition.org/2017/06/trump-is-normalizing-climate-skepticism/ https://energytransition.org/2017/06/trump-is-normalizing-climate-skepticism/#comments Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:05:36 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=15178 Lots has been said about Trump’s decision to back out of the Paris Accord, but have we overlooked one factor: like-minded politicians abroad feeling encouraged to speak up? Judging from German events, opponents of the Paris agreement are coming out of hiding. As the Germans would say, Trump is making skepticism salonfähig: literally, “suitable for the salon” – something that can be talked about in...

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/06/trump-is-normalizing-climate-skepticism/feed/ 2 Does the French nuclear fleet ramp to make space for solar and wind? https://energytransition.org/2017/05/does-the-french-nuclear-fleet-ramp-to-make-space-for-solar-and-wind/ https://energytransition.org/2017/05/does-the-french-nuclear-fleet-ramp-to-make-space-for-solar-and-wind/#comments Wed, 17 May 2017 12:54:57 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=14968 In recent months, a slew of papers have been written about how nuclear is a great complement for solar and wind. Today, Craig Morris investigates one brochure by French utility EDF to verify / falsify that claim. Can nuclear really ramp as its supporters have claimed? (Photo by ClicGauche, edited, CC BY-SA 1.0) Over the years, my friends in the nuclear camp have repeatedly challenged my contention...

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/05/does-the-french-nuclear-fleet-ramp-to-make-space-for-solar-and-wind/feed/ 13 The US (and Australian) nuclear camp critiques studies for 100% renewables. Without reading them. https://energytransition.org/2017/05/the-us-nuclear-camp-critiques-studies-for-100-renewables-without-reading-them/ https://energytransition.org/2017/05/the-us-nuclear-camp-critiques-studies-for-100-renewables-without-reading-them/#comments Mon, 15 May 2017 13:00:24 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=14979 Over the past year, the Anglo world has become interested in nuclear as a complement for wind and solar towards “deep decarbonization,” or a (nearly) 100% carbon-free supply of energy or possibly just electricity. Today, Craig Morris reviews a few papers by Americans and Australians and advises them to tackle the best European studies for 100% renewables head-on, not ignore them.

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/05/the-us-nuclear-camp-critiques-studies-for-100-renewables-without-reading-them/feed/ 12 Marginalizing the “strict-father” camp https://energytransition.org/2017/02/marginalizing-the-strict-father-camp/ https://energytransition.org/2017/02/marginalizing-the-strict-father-camp/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2017 14:00:22 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=14521 In two recent posts, Craig Morris shed light on US linguist George Lakoff’s proposal for environmentalists to frame their issues properly. Today, he sums up why framing is too America-centric. He wishes everyone would copy Germany’s Vergangenheitsbewältigung – a faithfulness to the truth in combating alt-facts. And if you ever wondered how feminism benefits men, read on.

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]]> https://energytransition.org/2017/02/marginalizing-the-strict-father-camp/feed/ 3 Selling the energy transition based on values https://energytransition.org/2017/02/selling-the-energy-transition-based-on-values/ https://energytransition.org/2017/02/selling-the-energy-transition-based-on-values/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2017 14:00:09 +0000 https://energytransition.org/?p=14435 In a recent post, Craig Morris took a critical look at US linguist’s recommendations for “framing” the energy transition better. Today, he sheds light on how he, perhaps unintentionally, followed George Lakoff’s advice nonetheless for years to change perceptions about the Energiewende. It started with this website. The freedom to choose one’s own energy: a crucial goal of the energy transition...

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