Author: Michael Barnard

ChatGPT generated panoramic line drawing of nitrogen cooled superconducting transmission cables in a mesh over Europe

Superconducting Transmission Of Electricity Is Here And It’s Supercooled

A couple of months ago, I was in Brussels speaking at the launch of the second edition of Supergrid Super Solution: A Handbook for Energy Independence and a Europe Free From Fossil Fuels. I’d participated in tuning the second edition, written by European renewables giant Eddie O’Connor with Kevin O’Sullivan, … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a courtroom with the defendant labeled "H2" dripping green paint

Canadians Can Cripple Hydrogen Greenwashing, But What About EU, USA, & Oz?

Recently I took a stroll through the implications of Canada’s anti-greenwashing improvements delivered through the truth in advertising provisions of Bill C-59. Originally, it merely caused all oil and gas firms and their lobbying and propaganda groups to magically disappear their entire social media presence and large parts of their … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic illustration of electric trucks charging at a modern truck stop equipped with solar panels, battery storage, and high-capacity chargers, set in a clean and sustainable environment.

Trucking Will Electrify, But What Hills Must Be Flattened?

Key Takeaways Grid upgrades for high truck charging demands can take years Microgrids with buffering batteries and solar enable charging immediately Depots and truck stops require different charging technologies and have different energy profiles One of the primary challenges of electrifying freight trucks in the United States comes down to … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a hydrogen bus with lots of representations of high CO2e emissions and a big warning sign about truth in advertising

It’s Against The Law In Canada To Call Hydrogen Buses Zero Emissions

In the middle of 2024, I documented the remarkable disappearance of claims of environmental virtue from the websites and social media of Canadian oil and gas companies and the lobbying groups they employed. Overnight, the degree of factual accuracy on their public sites went up by a remarkable amount. Why? … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of Winnipeg City Council looking at a hydrogen bus full of Canadian money on fire

New Flyer Low Emission Buses Too Expensive So Winnipeg Buys Diesel

Into Canada’s ongoing challenges with bus fleet decarbonization comes Winnipeg, which hasn’t featured much so far in the ongoing tale of transit think tank CUTRIC’s incompetence, sole sourcing and hydrogen-centric conflicts of interest. However, it did have a role in a piece assessing Canadian bus manufacture New Flyer’s strategic missteps … [continued]

Aerial view of large logistics hubs like Amazon or Walmart distribution centers with electric trucks docked.

Accelerating Electrification: Freight Trucks Will Dominate In The US

Key Takeaways: Transportation is the highest emissions segment in United States Of rail, water, and road, only freight trucking can readily decarbonize Electric trucks are cost-effective and rapidly advancing The United States has unintentionally made itself into the country with the hardest to decarbonize transportation sector, and it matters. Transportation … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of consultants rubbing their hands greedily over a shell game with the shells labelled H2

Deloitte Complicit In Indefensible Brampton Hydrogen Bus CUTRIC Study

In one of my articles related to the debacle that is Canada’s transit think tank CUTRIC’s guidance and modeling on bus fleet decarbonization, especially the Brampton fleet report that was off by about $1.5 billion on a $9 billion price tag, I shared the open letter to the Board I’d … [continued]

ChatGTP generated panoramic image of a giant engineer standing in the Atlantic, holding a power cable connecting the continents

HVDC Transmission Between Europe & North America Makes Fiscal Sense

As someone who spends a lot of time looking at HVDC electricity interconnectors globally, and holding the position that HVDC is the new pipeline, I’m very pleased with the latest Ember report, Security and efficiency: The case for connecting Europe and North America. Let’s step back. I’m sure many of … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a ship labeled "H2" partially built and rusting in an abandoned ship construction yard

More Hydrogen Maritime Trials Surface From Sargasso Sea

Recently I published a roundup of quite awful hydrogen maritime trial efforts, and ended with a request that if others knew of more, they should share. A few additional ones bubbled up and there were a couple of minor corrections and delightful additions. I encourage those who haven’t read the … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of panoramic image of truck stops (e.g., Pilot Flying J, Love’s, TravelCenters of America) with conceptual electric charging additions.

Electrified Freight: Trucking Will Grow & Big Logistics Players Will Dominate

Key takeaways Delivering inexpensive, reliable electric truck charging requires scale Major logistics, truck stop and turn-key services firms have the scale and will lead the way The big firms that embrace this will increase market share Movement of freight in the United States (US) is going to shift more and … [continued]