Cement decarbonization is a layered pathway: less Portland, lower clinker, better design, substitutes, recycling and selective CCS.
Cement decarbonization attracts miracle stories. One company has a new binder. Another has a carbon-negative aggregate. Someone else has an electrochemical process, a hydrogen kiln, a low-carbon limestone route, a supplementary cementitious material, a recycled cement process or a carbon-capture retrofit. Some of these ideas are useful. Some will become … [continued]
China’s infrastructure and property buildout was the materials event of the modern economy, and its decline changes the denominator for steel, cement, coal, freight, and fuels.
One of the easiest ways to get long-range energy and materials demand wrong is to treat first-build infrastructure demand as a permanent condition. Countries build their first stock of housing, highways, ports, rail, power systems, water systems, industrial parks, and concrete-and-steel cities once. After that, the demand structure changes. The … [continued]
ChatGPT generated image of a vibrant California YIMBY rally, showing activists holding signs like “Yes to Housing!” and “Build More Homes” in support of urban infill
In rare good news out of the United States, California’s just passed reform of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has opened the door for a wave of infill housing development, marking a significant shift in the state’s longstanding approach to urban growth. Signed into law a week ago, the … [continued]
My condo community in Florida has been struggling with our insurance premiums. While our east coast location hasn’t put us in the path of any significant damage nor submitted climate claims since Hurricanes Jeanne and Francis in 2005, we have — like so many places across the US — been … [continued]
A new building material that deploys perovskite solar cells to harvest clean power is taking shape in the field of textile ceramic technology (courtesy of Flexbrick).
A new building material that deploys perovskite solar cells to harvest clean power is taking shape in the field of textile ceramic technology.
Sustainable buildings from ‘shrooms: Scientists can grow a complex structure from a single, flexible, knitted form containing mycelium, the underground roots of fungi.
Knowledge is power: New building decarbonization technologies are mainstreaming, with an assist from new financial instruments (image courtesy of GridPoint).
Knowledge is power: New building decarbonization technologies are mainstreaming, with an assist from new financial instruments.
Large or small, heat pumps are emerging as a key pathway for rapid decarbonization (photo courtesy of MAN Energy Solutions).
Large or small, heat pumps are a key pathway for rapid decarbonization.
This software-enabled energy efficient electric motor is just one example of ESG investing at work behind the scenes (photo courtesy of Turntide Technologies).
The ESG movement is unstoppable, whether or not anybody calls it ESG.
ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of a futuristic electrified cement plant, designed with a focus on low carbon emissions.
Cement is the gray glue that binds our cities and industries together. It makes tall buildings possible and foundations strong. It helps us bridge rivers and valleys and keeps wind turbines upright. We don’t have a replacement for it. It’s not going anywhere.
