logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
49m 33s

Getting Serious About Our Energy Future

DR. CHRIS KEEFER
About this episode

Michael Edesess, a mathematician, economist, and former chairman of the board of the Rocky Mountain Institute, discusses his recent article for the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, "We need to get serious about the renewable energy revolution—by including nuclear power."

We discuss changes in energy spurred in the 1970s, Michael's personal acquaintance with the mastermind of the soft energy path, Amory Lovins, and the shortcomings of the all-renewables vision of our energy future.

Read the article in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists: https://thebulletin.org/2022/05/we-need-to-get-serious-about-the-renewable-energy-revolution-by-including-nuclear-power/

Up next
Jul 8
Sun, Silicon, and Xinjiang
This week, we talk solar power—a long overdue topic on Decouple. In the past, guests have often been critical of the value of renewables on grids without extensive storage, and of the quality of jobs that politicians often claim when justifying renewables programs. Today, however ... Show More
1h 11m
Jul 2
Small Reactor, Big Price
We have an unusual episode today. One, because of its length (1 hour 40 minutes), and two, because I’m the guest. Joined by Aidan Morrison as acting host, I talk about a topic of intense interest to me: the Darlington SMR project in Ontario, Canada. I’ve been critical of this SMR ... Show More
1h 40m
Jun 25
Is Wright's Law Wrong?
This week, we return to nuclear power. Specifically, nuclear construction and “learning curves.” It is intuitive that doing something over and over makes you better at it. In industry, this means driving down costs and timelines and boosting efficiencies. In many industries, the ... Show More
1h 4m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
146. NREL: “Our Renewable Energy Future” - Aug24
A special interview with one of the great minds of the Energy Transition. Dr. Doug Arent is the Executive Director of Strategic Public– Private Partnerships at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, U.S and Distinguished Fellow, World Economic Forum.   He j ... Show More
31m 19s
Dec 2015
Future of Energy
Professor Jim Skea, from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, joins Jack Stewart in the studio and brings his insight from the Paris climate talks. Paul Younger, the Rankine Chair of Engineering and Professor of Energy Engin ... Show More
27 m
May 5
The Future of Energy After Oil in the GCC | Dr. Adnan Shihab-Eldin
Senior visiting research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Dr Shihab-Eldin joins us on The afikra Podcast to discuss his extensive career in nuclear and solar energy research, particularly his work in Kuwait on pioneering solar energy projects. We explore the cha ... Show More
59m 53s
Apr 25
Weekly: First brain engineering in a mammal; landmark in fossil fuel lawsuits, the legacy of Pope Francis
Episode 300 The first genetically engineered synapses have been implanted in a mammal’s brain. Chemical brain signals have been bypassed in the brains of mice and replaced with electrical signals, changing their behaviour in incredible ways. Not only did they become more sociable ... Show More
29m 3s
Apr 2024
Throwback/Encore Presentation: Dan Reicher’s Rationally Optimistic Take on Progress and Potential in the Fight Against Climate Change
One of our most popular episodes of 2023 is back, with this encore presentation, just in time for Earth Day!  Dan Reicher’s interest in and advocacy for environmental protection and clean energy began when he was a child and has continued throughout his life.  In addition to teac ... Show More
53m 39s
Jul 2024
033: CEO of Natura Resources Doug Robison, From Oil and Gas to Nuclear
Text me your feedback! Are you curious about how successful oil and gas personnel are adopting nuclear? Listen here to find out. Doug Robison, CEO of Natura Resources is a third-generation oil and gas leader now taking his pioneering spirit into the nuclear sector. Natura Resourc ... Show More
47m 32s
Mar 2025
Can a Geothermal Startup Drill the Deepest Holes Ever?
Geothermal energy startup Quaise is aiming to tap energy sources deep underground. WSJ reporter Benoît Morenne explains how its futuristic tech beams electromagnetic energy at the speed of light to dig around 12 miles under the Earth’s surface. Then, professionals in science and ... Show More
13m 5s
Apr 2022
It's Time to Expand Nuclear Power
The calls for nuclear are growing louder. The Biden administration recently announced that it was putting $6 billion toward saving distressed nuclear power plants from closure, considering them carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels. Elon Musk doubled down, not only calling for ... Show More
53m 15s