The cost of solar has been plunging for years. Everyday there's a new headline about growing installation of renewables or batteries, or some other sign of progress when it comes to decarbonization. But there's still a long way to go and, in the meantime, the US continues to add new fossil fuel generation. So is there something wrong with the mechanisms we're using to change our energy mix? On this episode, we're speaking with Brett Christophers. He's a professor at Uppsala University and the author of the new book The Price is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won't Save The Planet. His basic argument is that using market-based mechanisms will conflict with the imperative to clean the grid and that the incentives aren't aligned for both goals. We discuss the economics of clean energy production, and why they don't lend themselves to a rapid buildout.
Key insights from the pod:
Intro -- 0:00
Why capitalism won’t save the planet - 4:44
Distinguishing between profits and price cost - 7:20
The business model of a solar or wind farm - 9:07
Difficulties in securing financing - 14:50
Power purchase agreements and the importance of offtake - 17:09
Failures in the energy transition - 19:28
Nationalizing green energy - 21:15
Energy demand outside of the US and Europe - 26:28
The prospects for nuclear power - 28:30
The role of Big Tech in the energy transition - 31:12
Government support for green financing - 34:58
See omnystudio.com/listener (omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
Bloomberg's Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway analyze the weird patterns, the complex issues and the newest market crazes. Join the conversation every Monday and Thursday for interviews with the most interesting minds in finance, economics and markets.
Subscribe to Bloomberg Podcasts: bit.ly/BloombergPodcasts
Check out more Odd Lots: ru-vid.com/group/PLe4PRejZgr0MuA6M0zkZyy-99-qc87wKV
Get the Odd Lots newsletter via www.bloomberg.com/account/newsletters/oddlots
And for all things Odd Lots, visit www.bloomberg.com/oddlots
Visit our other RU-vid channels:
Bloomberg Television: www.youtube.com/@markets
Bloomberg Originals: ru-vid.com
Quicktake: www.youtube.com/@BloombergQuicktake
#Bloomberg #Podcast #OddLots
Visit us: www.bloomberg.com/podcasts
Follow Bloomberg Podcasts on Twitter: podcasts
For coverage on news, markets and more: www.bloomberg.com/video
29 май 2024
