Nuclear Stalemate, Solar Breakthrough

In this episode of The Clean Energy Show, James and Brian explore a groundbreaking startup backed by OpenAI's Sam Altman that's turning sunlight into heat stored in bricks. These modular containers can be deployed anywhere, potentially revolutionizing data center power supply. They also discuss how heat pumps continue to outsell gas furnaces in the U.S., signaling a major shift in home heating technology. Meanwhile, Japan's largest nuclear reactor remains inactive, stalled by local political resistance even as public opinion on nuclear power shifts.

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The episode also features a humorous story from the Czech Republic, where industrious beavers thwarted plans for a new dam by building their own—completely free of charge. James and Brian explore the implications of these stories for clean energy adoption and environmental conservation.

Brian revisits a classic SNL clip featuring Mike Myers in a climate change-themed Christmas special, while James shares his thoughts on a YouTube video documenting a train journey from Shanghai to Beijing. He humorously contemplates the highs and lows of communist amenities, including squat toilets.

The hosts dive into the cold hard facts about wind turbines and whether they can function effectively at temperatures below -30°C. They also touch on the challenges of grid stability and energy demands during extreme weather conditions.

In The Lightning Round, they cover a range of fast-paced stories including:

• Ram's electric truck with a unique battery reserved just for towing.
• India doubling its rooftop solar subsidies to $2.31 billion.
• Indonesia’s delayed coal peak timeline and its implications for climate goals.
• California’s push towards 100% renewable energy with massive wind energy imports from New Mexico.
• China’s clean energy boom, now accounting for 10% of its GDP.
• Texas gearing up for its windy season, which could significantly boost wind power output.
• A surge in U.S. battery manufacturing, doubling cell production capacity this year.
• Solar and battery combinations becoming cheaper than coal and natural gas in key markets.
• California’s ambitious offshore wind plans moving forward despite political challenges.

This week’s CES FAST FACT™ reveals how Japan’s largest floating solar plant was redesigned after a typhoon-related fire, highlighting the importance of engineering clean energy projects to withstand extreme weather conditions.

Don't miss this jam-packed episode of The Clean Energy Show!

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