Volts turns one year old today! I take the occasion to do a little navel-gazing about why I started Volts and what you can expect from it in the next year -- and to ask you to subscribe.
It has been such a pleasure to see this take flight; you are completely crushing it. Far and away the most consistently insightful and valuable content in my inbox.
Hi David...congratulations and thank you! I can't tell you how helpful your podcast is for me. It supports my climate advocacy, and helps me understand complicate topics way out of my usual wheelhouse. I work with Pat (below) an I agree with Jon, (below) you are crushing it!
Just to pile on to what many have said: you are one of the best writers I've found on any topic. Volts is insightful, you're making complex topics accessible, you go beyond the news to tease out the trends and important considerations looking forward. Thank you!
would it be too far off your path to do a little bit on ebikes, and their potential role in the turn away from climate destruction and the (again, potential) role in re-shaping our cities into , dare I say, *pleasant* places? I understand that 2x as many ebikes were sold in the US last year as EVs.
I'm coming up on my one year on Substack too! Thanks for this. And thank you. You're doing this for all the right reasons and your hard work is worthy of payment. 👏🏼
Dave, your newsletter (and previous work at Vox!) is and will continue to be incredibly valuable for me. I'm only a few years into my career but feel like I've gotten a second degree in energy studies from reading your work. Thank you, and keep kicking ass/not supporting The Man!
David, the subscription has been well worth it. Please keep up the great work.
What would I like to see? Maybe an update on a Vox article you did in 2020--about how FERC had a guru who developed a way to mesh the nation's power grids. Under Trump, it never got a chance, in spite of years of research seeming to indicate it could be done. Has anything happened since then?
Additional articles on some specific technologies would be informative. I have heard that there are solar airconditioning systems. I assume they use an absorption cycle, but I do not know. They apparently can track the sun, and provide cooling for the home. That doe snot help after dark, so how do they work?
Water source heat pumps have the highest efficiency and reliability for cooling and heating. Why are they not a building code requirement for big box stores and commercial properties? NM uses them in schools, as there is always a campus for running the field lines to circulate the coolant and take advantage of the soil temperature 5 feet down--about 55 degrees. This seems like it could save all the remaining coal plants generation capacity in power savings.
The UK uses old mines that have flooded as reservoirs for heat pumps. We seem to be behind in this area. Is there a reason as to why?
And, how about an update on the use of dirigibles for intermediate flight? This was coming along well before the pandemic, but I have seen nothing since then on plans to implement this kind of travel. It is high efficiency, can handle distances greater than battery aircraft, and larger loads, too. The downside is that as wind speeds increase safety may become an issue.
I have been working in the renewable energy field since the 1980 and climate-related energy policy since 2000, and I have followed your work since 2017 and have been a Volts subscriber from the start. Your insights, research, interviews, etc. are extremely helpful. I particularly appreciated the Know Your Enemy Podcast you rebroadcast. I have wrestled with this question finally compiling my thoughts in a short inspirational book, which you can download in PDF form at Stewards of Gaia, or use the link available there to order a high-quality paperback copy from Amazon KDP.
Stewards of Gaia is an illustrated book that explores the basis of life on planet Earth, its interconnected web of lifeforms, the foundations of consciousness, and the fate of human civilization. Based on the principles of science, combined with philosophy and spirituality, the book examines five aspects of our perception of life. Each aspect comprises a way in which we view ourselves and our connection to the universe.
Our current systems of energy use and food production have brought us to the brink of a climate crisis that is already causing tremendous economic damage and human suffering and death. To save our civilization for our children, we must create new forms of organized behavior to live within the limits of Planet Earth. The Principles of Gaia are presented as a foundation for transforming our civilization of humanity into a civilization that nurtures all the life on Planet Earth.
The potentialities of a civilization that remains stable for the next one thousand years are beautiful and worthy. But the potentialities of a civilization crushed by the weight of its own excesses are terrifying and brutal. By following the Principles of Gaia, humanity may someday merit praise from all of Earth’s lifeforms.
With spiritual love, selfless service, compassion, devotion and wisdom, Stewards of Gaia are the future leaders of individual and collective actions to implement the new myths that will guide our pathway to a sustainable future for our world. A civilization of stewardship to Planet Earth and all the life it contains.
It has been such a pleasure to see this take flight; you are completely crushing it. Far and away the most consistently insightful and valuable content in my inbox.
I joined the very first day, and it’s been even better than expected. Delighted to re-up! C’mon people, pay up!
Hi David...congratulations and thank you! I can't tell you how helpful your podcast is for me. It supports my climate advocacy, and helps me understand complicate topics way out of my usual wheelhouse. I work with Pat (below) an I agree with Jon, (below) you are crushing it!
Just to pile on to what many have said: you are one of the best writers I've found on any topic. Volts is insightful, you're making complex topics accessible, you go beyond the news to tease out the trends and important considerations looking forward. Thank you!
I just subscribed a friend. Seriously, for the climate hawk/ clean energy geek in your life -- this is a great gift.
would it be too far off your path to do a little bit on ebikes, and their potential role in the turn away from climate destruction and the (again, potential) role in re-shaping our cities into , dare I say, *pleasant* places? I understand that 2x as many ebikes were sold in the US last year as EVs.
I'm coming up on my one year on Substack too! Thanks for this. And thank you. You're doing this for all the right reasons and your hard work is worthy of payment. 👏🏼
Dave, your newsletter (and previous work at Vox!) is and will continue to be incredibly valuable for me. I'm only a few years into my career but feel like I've gotten a second degree in energy studies from reading your work. Thank you, and keep kicking ass/not supporting The Man!
David, the subscription has been well worth it. Please keep up the great work.
What would I like to see? Maybe an update on a Vox article you did in 2020--about how FERC had a guru who developed a way to mesh the nation's power grids. Under Trump, it never got a chance, in spite of years of research seeming to indicate it could be done. Has anything happened since then?
Additional articles on some specific technologies would be informative. I have heard that there are solar airconditioning systems. I assume they use an absorption cycle, but I do not know. They apparently can track the sun, and provide cooling for the home. That doe snot help after dark, so how do they work?
Water source heat pumps have the highest efficiency and reliability for cooling and heating. Why are they not a building code requirement for big box stores and commercial properties? NM uses them in schools, as there is always a campus for running the field lines to circulate the coolant and take advantage of the soil temperature 5 feet down--about 55 degrees. This seems like it could save all the remaining coal plants generation capacity in power savings.
The UK uses old mines that have flooded as reservoirs for heat pumps. We seem to be behind in this area. Is there a reason as to why?
And, how about an update on the use of dirigibles for intermediate flight? This was coming along well before the pandemic, but I have seen nothing since then on plans to implement this kind of travel. It is high efficiency, can handle distances greater than battery aircraft, and larger loads, too. The downside is that as wind speeds increase safety may become an issue.
Thank you!
In terms of what should change to make me happier paying my subscription fee: More pics of the cat! Mabel is nice and all, but she isn't a cat.
I have been working in the renewable energy field since the 1980 and climate-related energy policy since 2000, and I have followed your work since 2017 and have been a Volts subscriber from the start. Your insights, research, interviews, etc. are extremely helpful. I particularly appreciated the Know Your Enemy Podcast you rebroadcast. I have wrestled with this question finally compiling my thoughts in a short inspirational book, which you can download in PDF form at Stewards of Gaia, or use the link available there to order a high-quality paperback copy from Amazon KDP.
Stewards of Gaia is an illustrated book that explores the basis of life on planet Earth, its interconnected web of lifeforms, the foundations of consciousness, and the fate of human civilization. Based on the principles of science, combined with philosophy and spirituality, the book examines five aspects of our perception of life. Each aspect comprises a way in which we view ourselves and our connection to the universe.
Our current systems of energy use and food production have brought us to the brink of a climate crisis that is already causing tremendous economic damage and human suffering and death. To save our civilization for our children, we must create new forms of organized behavior to live within the limits of Planet Earth. The Principles of Gaia are presented as a foundation for transforming our civilization of humanity into a civilization that nurtures all the life on Planet Earth.
The potentialities of a civilization that remains stable for the next one thousand years are beautiful and worthy. But the potentialities of a civilization crushed by the weight of its own excesses are terrifying and brutal. By following the Principles of Gaia, humanity may someday merit praise from all of Earth’s lifeforms.
With spiritual love, selfless service, compassion, devotion and wisdom, Stewards of Gaia are the future leaders of individual and collective actions to implement the new myths that will guide our pathway to a sustainable future for our world. A civilization of stewardship to Planet Earth and all the life it contains.
Dr. Pat DeLaquil
DecisionWare Group
www.decisionwaregroup.com