In Between Times 2-2-2023
What Lego can teach us about energy projects, The pragmatic Republicans in The House, Andrew Yang, Eggflation
GM is investing $650 million to source lithium for EVs out of Nevada. Let's congratulate them.
Lithium is a vital component in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles. This investment shows a clear commitment to not only the manufacture of next generation vehicles, but also to more sustainable sourcing of this all important mineral. Let's show GM that we appreciate this investment and let's encourage them to do more like this.
Click here to sign the petition!
GM to invest $650 million in a lithium company to support its electric vehicle business
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What Lego—Yes, Lego—Can teach us about avoiding energy project boondoggles
This is a fascinating little article that explores the work of Professor Bent Flyvbjerg at Oxford on the subject energy projects and cost overruns. Turns out solar and wind projects are usually pretty on target. They contrast sharply with nuclear projects which seem always to cost much more that projected. Why the difference?
According to Flyvbjerg it’s because solar and wind are “modular” whereas nuclear and hydroelectric dams are massive projects that are essentially one giant piece.
Solar and wind projects are made up of distinct components. Together these components form a system. As such, modular projects are created prices for items x or y may fluctuate, but because the projects are made of many small pieces adjustments can be made on the fly. This is much tougher to do with a nuclear reactor.
Prof. Flybbjerg’s insight is particularly interesting for those of us who are concerned with boondoggles, where taxpayers are exploited and overcharged for projects that get hung up in red tape and mismanagement. (Your editor spent a great deal of time covering these issues over the last decade.)
It would be indeed strange if wind and solar one day were the low cost energy alternative for taxpayers. We are far from this right now. But in the decade(s) ahead? Who knows?
(From Inside Climate News)
Wind and solar are the kinds of technologies that tend to have predictable costs and finish on time. The key is modularity, which means that a gigantic project is really a series of smaller parts that can be mass produced. Mass production leads to improvements over time, with opportunities to refine construction methods and reduce costs.
He uses the analogy of Lego, the construction toys, to explain modularity. In short, if a big project can be broken down into modular units like Lego pieces, then a project manager has a decent chance of finishing on time and on budget. If not, then headaches are ahead.
“It turns out that humans are actually very bad at getting things right the first time. This is just not what we are made for,” Flyvbjerg said, speaking in a video call from Oxford. “Our sort of learning system is designed for trial and error.”
Click here for the article.
Click here for an interactive version of this map.
What some are calling a “moderate rebrand”.
Perhaps, but “pragmatic” is a better word to describe these Republicans than “moderate”.
Forward Party co-chair Andrew Yang talks oil and monopolies with Chris Cuomo
Outlets cover ‘Eggflation’
The attached article from AllSides is eggscelent. I’m sorry. I am a dad prone to dad jokes AND the attached article takes a rather lighthearted look at how media outlets are covering the precipitous rise in the cost of eggs. It seems that editors everywhere can’t help but use the word “eggflation”.
Our favorite headline is;
Eggflation? Social media post scrambles the facts on high egg prices (PolitiFact, Lean Left bias)
It seems everyone has a theory as to why eggs now cost so much. Some say it’s bird flu. Some say it’s egg processing plants going offline for whatever reason. Regardless, that the price of eggs is getting so much attention is reflective of the economic pressure many people, perhaps most people, in the United States are feeling day to day.
I buy the groceries for my house and do most of the cooking. Things have gotten expensive. For people with very limited budgets it’s more than just annoying, it’s been brutal.
I recently spoke to a young man who works at my local supermarket who I see every now and then. I remarked that the price of something or another was up 40% or so over the past year. He looked at me and sighed, “Yeah I don’t even go to McDonalds anymore. It’s just too expensive.”
We bet that there are millions and millions of Americans who feel the same as this fellow.
Food insecurity is real and it is getting worse with the current inflation.
Click here for the article.
From The Fulcrum: What the speakership election tells us about the 118th Congress webinar
Listen to last week’s A Moment of BS with Bill Shireman
Event
The EarthX Expo is the world’s largest green gathering held annually around Earth Day in Dallas, Texas. Our Congress of Conferences highlights a wide range of environmental & sustainability-related topics.
It has grown to become the largest event of its kind in the world, bringing together environmental organizations, businesses, academic institutions, government agencies, speakers, interactive programming, and subject matter experts.
EarthX Expo also features live music, art and food to help create a fun and engaging atmosphere for thought and experiential learning.