Author: Michael Barnard

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a big mine with critical mineral symbols floating in the air overhead

Critical Minerals Global Expert Optimistic About Supply

Late in 2024 I had the privilege of sitting down with one of the world’s leading experts on critical minerals, Gavin Mudd, director of the centre for critical minerals intelligence at the British Geological Survey. The second half of the conversation included a great deal on why we’re both optimistic … [continued]

ChatGPT generated create a panoramic image of a map of China with line drawing icons in Chinese style representing each of the five year plan priorities surrounding it

China Curbed Oligarchs, Made Education & Housing Cheaper for 90% — Meanwhile, In USA…

I have a habit of picking up books on China, as it’s the biggest country in the world that doesn’t tell everyone everything it’s doing all the time, unlike my southern neighbor, the United States. I’ve read books by Chinese authors, global diplomats, historians, and youth influencers about the country. … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a Tesla with a Taxi sign on driving into a cul-de-sac

Tesla’s Autonomous Driving Strategy Stranded By Technological Divergence

It’s been a decade since I first wrote about Tesla’s approach to autonomous driving, comparing it to Google’s (now Waymo’s). At the time, my technical assessment based on my experience with both AI and robotics was that Tesla’s approach was superior. It still is, but it might need to pivot. … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a bunch of shipping containers containing grid batteries sitting on concrete pads under a shining blue sky

California’s Battery Storage Fire: Precursor Or Outlier?

A fire broke out at the Moss Landing Power Plant, not too far from San Francisco, on January 16, 2025, prompting the evacuation of approximately 1,500 residents and the temporary closure of Highway 1. No one was harmed in the incident. Given the massive growth in grid storage battery systems, … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a map of South Korea littered with failed hydrogen refueling stations, buses and cars

Korean Hydrogen Explosions, Leaks, Auction Failure & Impeachment May Cause Pivot

The hydrogen atom is tiny. Getting enough of it in one place requires pressures found at three to seven kilometers under the surface of the ocean. Unsurprisingly, it leaks. As it’s an indirect greenhouse gas and an explosion risk, that’s a big problem. South Korea has been learning exactly what … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a set a clean technologies being tumbled through a giant sieve against a backdrop of Google searches, patents and websites

Decarbonization Requires Robust Decision Making Frameworks

An accidental advantage I have with my somewhat ADHD career and interests is that I’ve established patterns and filters for how I view the world that have been tested in multiple domains, often to destruction. I’ve published on the set a few times, but it’s worth returning to them. Looking … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a municipal transit bus labeled "H2" in Poland trailing a cloud of zloty

Poland’s Hydrogen Bus Plans Run Into High Hydrogen Prices

Recently 21 municipalities in Poland sent a joint letter to the federal government begging for big subsidies for hydrogen for energy. Reports indicate that the cities that had already contracted for hydrogen buses hadn’t bothered to include realistic costs of hydrogen in their cost cases. The ones that have them … [continued]

ChatGPT generated image of panoramic image of a Los Angeles canyon filled with homes and a big question mark hovering overhead

Los Angeles’ $150 Billion Fires Have Lessons For All Urban Planners

The United States, and indeed much of the rest of the world, has been transfixed by the devastation in Los Angeles over the past week. As of January 12, 2025, multiple wildfires are still burning across the Los Angeles area, consuming around 40,000 acres or 62.5 square miles. At least … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a battery farm with the atomic symbols of critical minerals floating above it

Critical Minerals Are A Gold Rush The West Lost Sight Of

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Gavin Mudd, director of the centre for critical minerals intelligence with the British Geological Survey. He’s been doing leading research with global collaborators on how much of what resources we can actually get at. Below is the first half of our … [continued]