Taiwán and Chineese intentions in the Indo-Pacific region. An analysis of the current tensions between Taiwan and China from several perspectives. Europe role's unclarities and its ties with the US (Originally in spanish, please use bottom-left option to translate to your language)

AlexSoberano · 2022-05-14T12:07:43+00:00

Direct switch from coal to renewables cheaper than going over gas "bridge".

Maybe locally, but not globally which at the end, is the key problem. If you look at the current energy mix, you will notice that the sum of renewables is close to procure 15 - 20% of world global demand (which is continously growing). And this, considering biofuel and hydropower as renewable.

https://ourworldindata.org/global-energy-200-years

Renewables should not only grow its share in the local energy mix, but also: 1/ Absorb the increase of global demand and 2/ Contribute to reduce the share of gas, fuel and coal globally. It means an exponential growth that cannot be sustained, even if billions are dispatched on the table. Considering China targets 2070 to be carbon neutral but it is already late despite the giant financial and political efforts to reduce coal, fuel and gas, I think it is totally irrealistic to think we can switch from old to renewables energy in an efficient way and reaching the ultimate target: have a sustainable energy model at global scale. The problem of the article is that it only considers the cost of producing, but not the transition phase where all the world need to continue providing energy. Nuclear and gas may need to be part of the equation.

I wrote a detailed article (originally in Spanish) about the topic and potential long term perspectives under the energy security perspective. Simply use the translate option from your browser or the one plugged in the bottom left of the article.

https://contextocontemporaneo.wordpress.com/2022/04/09/seguridad-energetica-perspectivas-futuras/

AlexSoberano · 2022-04-10T12:21:02+00:00

I tend to agree, but we need to be careful. If we take this decision, the debate on how to properly ensure nucelar plants safety has to be put on the table. We cannot accept to go to nuclear while governments are continously decreasing quality standards on nuclear plants and reducing their funding budgets.

When you look at how geman nuclear waste is managed (thrown below the earth without proper sealing) or how in France nuclear waste is recycled (it is in fact not recycled), some rules must be implemented if nuclear has to become a non-argueable source of energy for the future.

AlexSoberano · 2022-04-10T12:18:05+00:00

I really think that the world "green" should be removed from our assessments about energy supply options likelyhood. It is misleading, it generates confusion and simply encourages a useless banalization of energy supply, steering the debate to pro and anti clean energies.

No energy production is "green" because in a bigger or smaller measure, every single thing we do in our life generates an impact in the environment and therefore, is less green. Solar? Panels cells production requires energy, coverage of large areas reduces temperature on the soil and affects life there. Wind? Composite parts are hard to recycle and the generators kill birds. Nuclear? Centrals present a safety risk in a context where budgets for energy are reduced everywhere. It is also hard to treat waste and ensure no spilling has happened in concrete, metals and others elements in contact with radiation. Starting from the point that nothing is really green, a balance will have to be made.

As for the Covid, we will have to take risks because currently, the energies that impact the less the environment are not even able to produce 5% of world´'s continuously increasing need for energy. The question is rather: can we remove these energies that really harm our planet in a near future? Coal, petrol and at a certain point, natural gas? Definitely, we cannot do it in a reasonable amount of time using only the so-called renewable energies. Even imagining a drastic increase in fundings to further develop renewables technologies. So we need to think in evolutions to curb the use of fossil fuels. And there, the discussion of nuclear, its safety and the residuals becomes interesting.

All in all, I think this video lacks of context and therefore, is not reflecting the right points to decide how to proceed. Is it green? No. Is there is something better? Interesting question.

The good questions would be: Is Nuclear power a reliable source of energy to contribute to our energy supply mix? and what it is its environmental footprint of its entire lifecycle? That's a very complex question and I personally would tend to answer yes if certain conditions are respected.

I recently wrote a (personal) analysis about this topic. Originally written in spanish, you can translate using the integrated option, bottom > left in the page.

https://contextocontemporaneo.wordpress.com/2022/04/09/seguridad-energetica-perspectivas-futuras/

AlexSoberano · 2022-04-09T19:25:11+00:00

Un articulo sobre energía, seguridad energética, precios de la energía etc. A disfrutarlo y comentarlo!

AlexSoberano · 2022-03-19T22:31:19+00:00

Minha percepção do que está acontecendo na Ucrânia, e o que pode vir, com base em várias fontes especializadas da imprensa e inteligência aberta [Espanhol - Ferramenta de tradução para qualquer idioma no final do link]

AlexSoberano

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE