What is the role of AI in the future of Energy?You read about artificial intelligence or AI every day. But I was surprised that Ai could be a factor in the energy transition, both as a sophisticated way of developing new solutions and optimizing current processes but also as a new source of growing energy demand with the new data centers and computing chips that are very energy-hungry. Data centers are not what they used to be before the AI revolution. data centers have exploded in size in terms of power consumption. Ten years ago, a 30-megawatt (MW) center was considered large. Today, a 200-MW facility is considered normal and a 1GW center is proposed. I don’t think the utilities saw this coming. I think this was a surprise to most folks. In our episode today we have USC professor Dr. Benham Jafarpour from the USC Information Sciences Institute to help us better understand the opportunities and challenges of AI and how these new hyperscale data centers are impacting energy demand forecasts. Some of the tech companies from Silicon Valley are even turning to private power contracts where they negotiate deals with geothermal and even nuclear power generators to run their new data centers. The new AI GPU chips are very energy-hungry and have changed the way data centers have to be operated. This should be another real eye-opener for all of us.ReferencesSubsurface Energy and Environmental Systems (SEES) https://sees.usc.edu/ https://carboncredits.com/u-s-data-centers-power-demand-surges-to-46000-mw-whats-driving-the-growth/

Sometimes we worry too much about emerging technologies that we forget that there are powerful natural solutions as well, say like photosynthesis that takes carbon dioxide and water out of the air and converts it into chemical energy. Plants, especially hard wood trees, are the superheroes of the carbon cycle. The water cycle is essential for life. The problem is when human activity gets in the way of the earth’s processes that are trying to achieve balance for a livable planet. Maybe we should try to help the earth instead of fighting against it? As part of our “getting back to nature” episode, we have the privilege to talk to Flora Moon of Expressworks on nature-based solutions to climate change. We need to keep our minds open to different kinds of solutions for the Energy Transition and Flora is one of those experts we need to listen to. If we can better understand natural processes like the carbon cycle and the water cycle and help it along a little bit, we will have a powerful ally in the energy transition.

references

https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/natural-climate-solutions/

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/05/19/what-you-need-to-know-about-nature-based-solutions-to-climate-change

Welcome to the Future of Energy podcast brought to you by the University of Southern California Ershaghi Center for Energy Transition. On this podcast we dive into the technologies, policies, and bold ideas shaping our transition to a low carbon future. In this episode we are joined by a visionary entrepreneur who is transforming the future of energy, Teague Egan founder and CEO of Energy X. Since founding the company in 2018, Egan has led the development of groundbreaking technologies in lithium extraction and energy storage- core innovations that will determine the success of the global clean energy transition. Energy X is behind major initiatives like Project Black Giant in Chile and Project Lone Star in the US and holds over 120 patents. From AI to nanotechnology, Egan's work spans the frontiers of science and business, and his journey from USC alumnus to energy pioneer is as inspiring as it isimpactful. Join us in this conversation as we explore the future of batteries, the economics of energy and innovation, and what it really takes to build a more sustainable world.References: https://energyx.com/Producer: Elisabeth Arnold WeissEditor: Abhineet Kumar

Welcome to the Future of Energy podcast brought to you by the University of Southern California Ershaghi Center for Energy Transition. On this show we explore the people, ideas, and innovations driving our transition to a sustainable low carbon future. This episode features an extraordinary guest whose influence in climate leadership spans decades- Terry Tamminen. From advising Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on environmental policy as the Secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency, to leading the development of the blue economy as President and CEO of AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Tamminen has long been at the forefront of sustainable development. Our student co-hosts Mila Rehak and Sophie Bietel dive into Tamminen's experience shaping California's environmental strategy, the evolving blue economy, and what lies ahead for the future of renewable energy. Stay with us for an inspiring and insightful discussion.References: https://altasea.org/Producer: Elisabeth Arnold WeissEditor: Abhineet Kumar

Sometimes we worry too much about emerging technologies that we forget that there are powerful natural solutions as well, say like photosynthesis that takes carbon dioxide and water out of the air and converts it into chemical energy. Plants, especially hard wood trees, are the superheroes of the carbon cycle. The water cycle is essential for life. The problem is when human activity gets in the way of the earth’s processes that are trying to achieve balance for a livable planet. Maybe we should try to help the earth instead of fighting against it? In our “getting back to nature” episode, we have the privilege to talk to Flora Moon of Expressworks on nature-based solutions to climate change, to Dr. Mahta Moghaddam the director of the USC Viterbi Center for Arid climate (AWARE) and Terry Tamminen also from AltaSea and former head of California EPA. We need to keep our minds open to different kinds of solutions for the Energy Transition and these experts are just the ones we need to listen to.References: https://sites.usc.edu/watercenter/front-page/home/

While clean energy goals are critical, environmental groups have expressed their concerns around the environmental damage that would occur as a result of an increase in mining in the U.S. In addition to the lasting environmental harm, mining activities disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. According to a notable MSCI study, many of the transition mineral deposits in the U.S. are located near or within culturally or environmentally important areas to Indigenous Peoples. ” A recent study published in Nature Sustainability found that 54% of mining projects globally are located on or near Indigenous Peoples’ lands. In the United States, 79% of lithium, 68% of cobalt, 97% of nickel, and 89% of copper reserves and resources in the U.S. are located within 35 miles of Native American reservations. In our final episode of season two we get an opportunity to talk to two graduate students at the Colorado School of Mines from Native American communities, Kiara Billy and Alex Brunson. Their stories, like those of so many others in our podcast are fascinating and instructive.Stay tuned for season three with more perspectives on the Future of Energy.References . https://iasj.org/shifting-gears-part-ii-indigenous-peoples-rights-and-mining-in-the-u-s/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20%E2%80%9C97%25%20of%20nickel%2C%2089%25%20of%20copper%2C,located%20within%2035%20miles%20of%20Native%20American%20reservations.%E2%80%9D

Our second episode on the critical topic of Just Transition is with Dr. Richard Luarkie, the newly named director of the Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty initiative, or NAMES) at the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Luarkie is a member of the Laguna Pueblo nation from central New Mexico. Talking to Dr. Luarkie helps us to take on a different perspective to the future of energy and of ourselves. He helps us think about the difference between stewardship and ownership, between a clean energy future and a not so clean energy past and about a future that is not a gift from our forefathers but is a loan from future generations. The Laguna Pueblo reservation is on the site of the Jackpile-Anaconda uranium mine that from the 1950 to the early 1980 was one of the largest sources of uranium for the US nuclear stockpile. But when it was closed down, people weren’t thinking about the environment the way we do today. "Just push some dirt over the tailings and walk away was the solution for Indian Country". Sit down and listen carefully. This is a conversation that you don’t want to miss.

References

https://www.minesnewsroom.com/news/native-american-mining-and-energy-sovereignty-initiative-receives-support-alfred-p-sloan

https://payneinstitute.mines.edu/about-old/our-story/

“Energy won't end poverty, but we can't end poverty without energy." We can’t forget about the communities and people that will be affected by the energy transition. The concept of “just transition” has been around since the 1980s, when it was used in a movement by US trade unions to protect workers affected by new water and air pollution regulations.  In recent years, the concept has gained traction with reference to meeting climate goals by ensuring the whole of society – all communities, all workers, all social groups – are brought along in the pivot to a net-zero future. The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines it this way: “Greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.” These are the conversations that are sometimes uncomfortable but we must learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable if we are to find common ground. You can’t leave sustainable development goals behind while battling greenhouse gas emission. The future of energy means a more equitable distribution of affordable and low-carbon energy for all humans on the planet. In this episode we talk to Ean Tafoya of the Colorado chapter of GreenLatinos.

References:

US Department of Labor Just Transition https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/just-transition

Green Latinos https://www.greenlatinos.org/