Tyler Murtaugh

Want to know the technical way to calculate emissions based on chemistry? Let's answer the following as an example... Q: How many kg of CO2 are emitted from generating 1 GJ from gasoline? So from the combustion reaction equation in the quoted tweet, we know 8 moles of carbon dioxide (CO2) are derived from 1 mole of gasoline From that we can calculate the mass of CO2 using that reaction. Step 1: Let’s get the mass of those 8 moles of carbon. 12 g per mol of carbon + 2 x 16 g per mol of oxygen = 44 g per mol of CO2 8 mol of CO2 x 44 g = 352 g of CO2 per mol of octane combusted Step 2: Let’s figure out the amount of CO2 grossing up the 5.5 MJ equation to 1 GJ. Because 8 mol of CO2 is produced from 1 mol of octane when combusted to generate 5.5 MJ of energy, you can say that the ratio is 8 mol of CO2 per 5.5 MJ from gasoline combustion. 352 g of CO2 (i.e. 8 mol of CO2) / 5.5 MJ x 10^3 MJ / 1 GJ x 1 kg / 1000 g = 64 kg of CO2 per GJ from gasoline combustion A: 64 kg of CO2 is emitted when combusting gasoline (octane) to generate 1 GJ of energy. There you have it. The chemical reaction equations behind emissions from gasoline.

Imagine stepping onto the original Nintendo Track and Field pad next to this guy. @NintendoAmerica #cheetah

This is a great way to distill energy density based on fuel type.

See How US Coal Has Benefited From EU Sanctions on Russia. Will A Ceasefire in Ukraine Result in US Coal Exports Reverting Back to Pre-invasion Levels? 🧵👇 U.S. coal exports increased by 5.7 million short tons (MMst) in the 12 months after EU sanctions on coal from Russia went into full effect in August 2022. The increase was driven almost exclusively by a 22% jump in U.S. coal exports to Europe, totaling 33.1 MMst between August 2022 and July 2023 compared with 27.1 MMst during the same period prior to the sanctions (August 2021–July 2022). In 2021, Europe received 84.6 MMst of coal from Russia, about one-third of Russia’s total exports. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU responded by imposing sanctions on coal from Russia in April 2022, with a grace period for pre-existing contracts that lasted until August 2022. Once a ban on European buyers purchasing coal from Russia went into full effect in early August 2022, imports of coal from Russia into Europe fell to almost nothing. The United States joined other coal-supplying countries, including South Africa and Colombia, to make up the difference. U.S. coal exports also increased to Asia and South America, but declined in Africa, Australia & Oceania, and North America. As a swing, or higher-cost, supplier in global steam coal markets, the United States was positioned to shift steam coal exports to Europe. For the 12 months after full implementation of the EU sanctions went into effect, from August 2022 to July 2023, U.S. steam coal exports to Europe totaled 14.4 MMst, 51% more than over the previous 12-month period (August 2021–July 2022). This increase and a 6% increase to Asia contrasted with declines in U.S. steam coal exports to the other four continents to which the United States exports steam coal. U.S. steam coal is a comparable quality to that produced by Russia, making it a natural substitute; both countries have premium-quality bituminous coal with a high heating value. U.S. metallurgical coal exports to Europe rose only 6% (compared with the previous 12-month period) to 18.6 MMst during August 2022–July 2023. U.S. metallurgical coal exports to South America increased, but exports to Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania, and the rest of North America declined. Exports of metallurgical coal have been more stable because this coal is used strictly to produce iron and steel. Maybe my favorite proponents of $BTU - @GoForGrubes2 & @MuffinmanMagic have some thoughts on if a ceasefire would affect the coal market. Thoughts? Source: @EIAgov

Several U.S. states have been rebranding energy sources like nuclear, natural gas, and biomass as "clean" or "renewable." North Carolina recently passed a law to include nuclear energy in its clean energy standard, a move criticized for favoring traditional Republican-backed fuels. Tennessee and Ohio also redefined natural gas as "clean," while Arkansas and Virginia expanded definitions to include biomass. These rebranding efforts are seen as a way to diversify energy options and meet renewable energy targets. Critics argue that such changes may undermine the development of wind and solar power and challenge emissions reduction goals. What do you all think? What are the pros & cons of this?

Voltage Explained: What voltage is for those wanting to understand why their device from the US burns out when plugged into a European outlet! Voltage is like pressure in a pipe. The term volt comes from an Italian physicist named Alessandro Volta, who invented the first electrical battery to provide a steady current -- the Voltaic Pile. Voltage is what pushes electrons around in a circuit creating current. Without voltage, electrons move randomly in any direction. Voltage is the pressure and volts are the units we measure the pressure in. Our devices have manufacturer labels that describe the type of current (direct DC vs alternating AC). This label needs a 5 volts of DC supply with 1.0 amp of current to work. For light bulbs, as Voltage decreases so does the brightness because there is less pressure to force electrons through the circuit. So less light is produced. For AC outlets, most of the Americas use 110-127 V outlets where the rest of the world use 220-240 V. So when your wife plugs in her hairdryer from the US in Europe, you can now understand why the device burns out. There is too much voltage or too much pressure that the device cannot cope with the amount electrons forced to flow through the device. If you enjoyed learning about voltage, check out the @TheEngMindset . It is a great resource to grow your knowledge about electricity!

For the first time, 80% of US Oil & Gas Production will be monitored for methane emissions using a satellite. Learn about the MethaneSAT project below & how to access the data 👇 Meet the methane monitoring duo - MethaneSAT & MethaneAIR. @MethaneSAT & MethaneAIR will combine monitoring technology from data collected via satellite and by jet. In early 2024, a new satellite known as MethaneSAT will beam its first megabyte of data to Earth. Where scientists stand ready with advanced modeling and machine learning — AI — to pinpoint and measure emissions from leaking oil & gas production sites. Here are the technical specs: MethaneSAT will: - Quantify regional-scale methane emissions from oil and gas operations worldwide down to areas of ~1 km2 - Identify and quantify emissions from large sources (> 500 kg/hour) - Quantify aggregate emissions from thousands of smaller sources, as well as large intermittent sources. MethaneSAT, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Environmental Defense Fund - @EnvDefenseFund Visit to learn how to access the data once it becomes available: methanesat.org/ #MethaneEmissions #methane

How will methane emissions monitoring improve over time & get cheaper? Satellites are one of the ways utilities monitor pipeline leaks. With the cost of space flight going down, that means more data from satellites to train AI will likely get cheaper. Less than $200 / kg per launch is the estimate for @SpaceX Starship. Can @elonmusk & the SpaceX team drive down the cost further?

Want to know the economics of a world class Lithium mining asset in Western Australia? Here is an overview of Liontown's Kathleen Valley Project - the project at the center of Albemarle's failed bid for Liontown Resources (LTR). Kathleen Valley is located in a stable, established and well-governed mining jurisdiction, giving LTR confidence to execute an accelerated project delivery timetable and providing long-term operation support to Kathleen Valley The development of the Kathleen Valley for an initial capex of A$473M provides a payback in 2.3 years at healthy 57% IRR 🤯. The mine is expected to have a 23 year life producing 500+ kdmt of spodumene concentrate by 2026. LTR is expected to supply 5% of the world's spodumene concentrate. The offtake strategy for the project will be diversified with contracted production headed to N. America, Europe, China & Asia with any uncontracted production to be sold on the spot market such as the Battery Mineral Exchange. LTR is exploring downstream processing options to make this project more vertically integrated. The feasibility study that these slides are based on has an expected production date of Q2 2024 - so we will be able to assess its performance within a year! Source: ltresources.com.au/wp-conten…

How are utilities using AI to assist methane leak monitoring? Let's learn about: 1. Methane emissions and their impact 2. Efforts to combat methane emissions 3. Role of Data Analytics & AI in Methane Reduction Methane Emissions and Their Impact The U.S. Secretary of Energy has declared a war on methane, considering it more environmentally destructive than carbon dioxide. It was revealed that the natural gas industry's infrastructure in the U.S. emits approximately 8 million tonnes of methane annually, equivalent to 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. These methane emissions are often seen as unavoidable and are a result of leaks in the vast network of connecting pipelines, outdated equipment, and routine utility releases of gas. Efforts to Combat Methane Emissions The Department of Energy (@ENERGY ) has provided $32 million in funding to reduce methane emissions and make infrastructure leak-tight. The goal is to cut global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. One recipient of DOE funding, Duke Energy, has already reduced methane leaks by over 85% using various technologies, including satellites, sensors, and aerial surveillance. They plan to evaluate emerging methane-monitoring technologies alongside their existing monitoring methods. Role of Data Analytics and AI in Methane Reduction Duke Energy is using data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to process large amounts of data collected from satellites, aircraft, and ground-level sensors. AI helps identify new leaks, assess their size, and their proximity to public areas, enabling risk-based prioritization for mitigation. Duke's emphasis on analytics allows them to gather more informed data more frequently, helping them make decisions about repairs or replacements of gas infrastructure. The utility aims to prove the effectiveness of its system to regulators and collaborate with other stakeholders to advance advanced leak detection technologies and methods. asme.org/topics-resources/co…

Want to learn more about beaming electricity and who is actually working on beaming power to Earth from Space? Listen to this @CatalystPod podcast with @shaylekann to learn about the @esa Solaris Initiative with Sanjay Vijendran. canarymedia.com/podcasts/cat…

Which method is best for beaming electricity through the air that could allow us to have floating power plants? Let's review 5 methods that electricity is wirelessly transmitted: 1. Inductive Coupling: This method uses electromagnetic fields to transfer electrical energy between coils of wire. It's commonly used in devices like electric toothbrush chargers and wireless charging pads for smartphones. The energy is transferred over a very short distance, typically a few millimeters to a few centimeters. 2. Resonant Inductive Coupling: This is an extension of inductive coupling, and it allows for more efficient energy transfer over slightly longer distances. It's used in some wireless charging systems, like those for electric vehicles. 3. Microwave Power Transmission: This method involves the transmission of microwave energy from one point to another, where it is converted back into electricity. A well-known experiment using this technology is the Solar Power Satellite concept, where solar energy is collected in space and beamed to Earth. However, this method is not yet widely used due to technological and safety challenges. 4. Laser Power Transmission: Similar to microwave power transmission, this method uses lasers to transmit energy. It has been demonstrated in laboratory settings but has limited practical applications at present. 5. Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) Systems: These systems are designed for more practical and commercial applications. They use various technologies, such as resonant inductive coupling or radio frequency (RF) energy, to transmit power over relatively short distances. For example, some electric vehicles use WPT to charge their batteries without direct physical connection. It's important to note that wireless electricity transmission is not without limitations and challenges. Efficiency, safety, and the distance over which power can be transmitted are critical factors that need to be considered. As you increase the distance over which electricity is transmitted, efficiency tends to decrease, and safety concerns arise, as electromagnetic fields can potentially interfere with electronic devices or pose health risks. While there are ongoing research and development efforts to improve wireless power transmission technologies, it's important to use the right method for the intended application and to consider the trade-offs between efficiency, safety, and practicality. What method would work best for a floating power plant?

Biden's DOE selected 7 winners to fund $7 billion worth of Clean Hydrogen Hub projects. Winners include consortiums that have members such as @amazon , @bp_plc , @PlugPowerInc , @Bloom_Energy and more. Here are the 7 winners and details about each project. 👇🧵 The seven selected hubs by @ENERGY include: 1. Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2): Covering parts of West Virginia, southeast Ohio, and southwest Pennsylvania, this hub aims to utilize the abundant natural gas in the region for hydrogen production. Consortium members include Air Liquide, Chemours, Dominion Energy, EQT, and Plug Power. 2. California’s Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES): This public-private consortium, with more than 400 members, will focus on hydrogen projects in southern and northern California, including major ports like Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oakland, where hydrogen will be used for maritime and trucking applications. 3. HyVelocity Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub: Centered in Texas, this hub is expected to produce both blue and green hydrogen. It benefits from existing hydrogen infrastructure, including storage and pipeline networks, and features members like Air Liquide, Chevron, Orsted, and Sempra Infrastructure. 4. Heartland Hydrogen Hub: Encompassing Minnesota and North Dakota, this hub involves partners like Xcel Energy and a joint venture of Marathon Petroleum and TC Energy. It intends to use wind and nuclear power for hydrogen production and plans to target fertilizer production and power generation. 5. Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2): Covering southeastern Pennsylvania and parts of Delaware and New Jersey, this hub will cater to the regional industrial base. Consortium members include Air Liquide, DuPont, Enbridge, PBF Energy, and local public transit systems. 6. Midwest Hydrogen Hub: Merging two groups (MachH2 and MHCC), this hub focuses on development in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It involves various stakeholders, including Air Liquide, ArcelorMittal, bp, Bloom Energy, Cummins, Rolls-Royce, Ameren, and NiSource. The hub aims to use hydrogen in applications such as steel and glass production, power generation, and heavy-duty transportation, with a significant contribution from nuclear power. 7. Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub (PNWH2): Covering parts of eastern Washington state, eastern Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, this hub plans to produce hydrogen exclusively using renewable energy. Partners include Amazon, bp America, Plug Power, Fortescue, and regional utilities. Hydrogen will be used for transportation and fertilizer production. These hubs will work on various hydrogen production technologies and end-use applications. While the projects have been selected, they are still in the planning phase, and the majority of the $7 billion in funding will be released as they reach key design and viability milestones. The success of these hubs is crucial for developing clean hydrogen and reducing carbon emissions in various industries. However, concerns about transparency, community impact, and emissions management remain as important considerations in the development of these projects. The federal government is working on a Clean Hydrogen Production Standard to limit emissions, but specific regulatory standards are still being developed. If you want to learn more about the US Hydrogen Strategy & Roadmap. Check out this link here: hydrogen.energy.gov/library/…

Here's a summary of a great article in @Nature from folks at @NREL including @SunshineMirletz et al on PV module waste & toxicity. Insights from the article below 👇 1. Misconceptions About PV Module Waste: - Unsubstantiated claims about the toxicity of photovoltaic (PV) modules and their waste are slowing down PV deployment. - Concerns about the waste generated by decommissioned PV modules and the potential for toxic leaching have led to public apprehension. 2. PV Module Waste in Context: - Predictions from 2016 estimated 60 million metric tons of cumulative PV module waste by 2050. However, module lifetimes have increased significantly, and updated projections show the best-case and worst-case scenarios for cumulative PV module waste are between 54 million and 160 million metric tons by 2050. - In comparison, PV module waste is dwarfed by the waste generated by fossil fuel energy and other common waste streams, such as coal ash and oily sludge. Transitioning away from fossil fuels significantly reduces waste mass and toxicity. 3. Correcting Misinformation About PV Toxicity: - Incorrect information about toxic materials in PV modules has led to unsubstantiated claims about their harm to human health and the environment. - Crystalline silicon and cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV modules, which make up the majority of the market, contain very few harmful materials, contrary to popular misconceptions. - The primary concerns in commercially produced PV modules are trace amounts of lead in crystalline silicon modules' solder and cadmium in CdTe modules, both of which can be managed and recycled. Areas for Future Research: 1. Investigating Public Perceptions: - Research should explore why public misconceptions about PV module waste and toxicity persist and how these perceptions impact PV deployment. Understanding the root causes can inform communication strategies. 2. Recycling and Sustainability: - Future studies can focus on improving and optimizing recycling processes for PV modules to make them more sustainable. - Evaluating the environmental impact and cost-effectiveness of different recycling methods would be valuable. 3. Longevity and Material Efficiency: - Research should continue to advance the development of long-lasting PV modules with minimal material requirements to further reduce waste and resource consumption. - Studying the potential for extending the lifetime of PV systems through reuse and refurbishment can also be an area of interest. 4. Effective Communication: - Exploring effective ways to communicate the benefits and safety of PV technology to communities and policymakers is essential to counteract misinformation and facilitate PV deployment. These areas of research can contribute to a more accurate understanding of PV module waste and its environmental impact, as well as help address public concerns to support the transition to cleaner energy sources. nature.com/articles/s41567-0…