Category Archives: Energy

the posts in this category used to be in “Energy in A Nutshell” at my former web site.

Why methanol cannot replace petroleum as a transportation fuel

Posted on December 20, 2023 by

Preface. Methanol, or CH₃OH, is primarily used to make chemicals for plastics, paints, and cosmetics. It is made from coal or natural gas. “Green” methanol is made from biomass or biogas from landfills or sewage plants. Or it can be … Continue reading →

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Why is everyone afraid of AI or thinks it will solve all our problems?

Posted on December 13, 2023 by

I question how useful and existentially threatening AI really is. I am not denying that AI can do marvelous things, especially finding patterns, which is terrifically useful across many fields.  It is best when it has very narrow objectives, such … Continue reading →

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Do you want to eat, drink, or fly?

Posted on December 6, 2023 by

Preface.  In this post the New York Times writes about renewable airplane fuel from corn ethanol, and questions whether there is enough water and a few other problems.  First I’m going to summarize their issues with this, and then follow … Continue reading →

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Will Congress ever create a new independent agency to store nuclear waste permanently?

Posted on November 8, 2023 by

Preface. The lack of permanent geological storage of nuclear waste will be yet another nightmare for those living after fossils have declined and civilizations go back to biomass fuels and muscle power. They will already be dealing with heat making … Continue reading →

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Nuclear waste will harm future generations for a million years without underground storage

Posted on November 1, 2023 by

Preface. This is a book review of “Too Hot to Touch: The Problem of High-Level Nuclear Waste” and the best book I’ve read on the topic, as well as additional research on the topic. Now that world wide production of … Continue reading →

Posted in An Index of Best Energyskeptic Posts, Energy Books, Nuclear Books, Nuclear Power Energy, Nuclear Waste | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Nuclear spent fuel pool fire could force millions to evacuate & cost $2 trillion

Posted on October 25, 2023 by

Source: Stone R (2016) Near miss at Fukushima is a warning for U.S., panel says. Science Preface. Nuclear cheerleaders love to talk about how safe nuclear power is.  You will never ever hear them talk about nuclear fuel pools because … Continue reading →

Posted in Nuclear Power Energy, Nuclear spent fuel fire, Nuclear Waste | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Sodium Sulfur Batteries

Posted on October 11, 2023 by

Recent research progress in sodium ion batteries: (a) cathode, (b) anode, (c) electrolyte and (d) binder. Source: Hwang J (2017) Sodium-ion batteries: present and future. Chem. Soc. Review 46: 3529-3614  DOI: 10.1039/C6CS00776G Preface. If lithium were used for both EV … Continue reading →

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Book review: Atomic Days. The Untold Story of the Most Toxic Place in America

Posted on October 4, 2023 by

Preface. Plutonium for nuclear weapons was produced at the Hanford Washington site for nearly four decades. Today it is the world’s most polluted site chock-a-block with radioactive waste and toxic chemicals. Chemical pollution is one of the planetary boundaries that … Continue reading →

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Bill Gates Gen IV sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) in Wyoming

Posted on September 27, 2023 by

Source: Japan abandons Monju fast reactor: the slow death of a nuclear dream. The Ecologist. ‘Fast breeder’ reactors are promoted by nuclear enthusiasts as the clean, green energy technology of the future. But all the evidence tells us they are … Continue reading →

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Want to survive Peak Everything? Become a Mormon

Posted on September 20, 2023 by

Source: Salt Lake Tribune. For Latter-day Saint families, preparing for emergencies is the norm Preface.  Ted Koppel’s book “Lights Out” highlights the many risks to the grid from cyber and physical attacks, electromagnetic pulses from weapons or solar flares, large … Continue reading →

Posted in Blackouts, Electric Grid & EMP Electromagnetic Pulse, Energy Books, Where to Be or Not to Be | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment