I See Trees of Green - and Power Lines Too.

Welcome back to Climatific, a free, weekly read that breaks down climate science so it makes sense- not for scientists or researchers, but for everyday people trying to understand the planet we live on, what’s happening to it, and why it matters.

About two weeks ago, we took a deep dive into the electricity grid’s magical powers. In this special issue, we’ll learn even more about how each of the three major grid components contributes to or is affected by climate change.

If you’re a new subscriber, catch up on past issues of Climatific and learn more about who we are here:

Well it’s kind of like magic, right? To think that there’s always a team of people with their “wands at the ready” to make sure that your porch lights will turn on at a gentle flip of a switch. Quite impressive if you ask me.

But there are some challenges. We need to be strategic about how we generate, transport, deliver, and use energy. Performing these actions in a short-sighted manner comes at a cost, whether that be monetarily or in the form of increased greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

Let’s start with generation. The United States alone used over 4 billion kilowatt-hours in 2023. Research shows that over half of that electricity was generated from fossil fuel sources. As we already know, the burning of fossil fuels for energy releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The energy sector is the second largest contributor to our nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

In other words, where you get your energy is very important from an environmental standpoint. As we had discussed in our very first energy issue, consumers that live in states with deregulated energy markets have the power to choose where they get their electricity. Fossil fuels are the primary source of electricity for all U.S. utility companies, especially natural gas, coal, and petroleum. If you are able to shop for your own electricity, then you can instead support a company that generates power from renewable sources like solar or wind.

Despite these benefits, renewable energy plants have their own set of challenges to consider. Getting these projects online and hooked into an overwhelmed electrical grid can be both challenging and costly. Throughout the next couple of weeks, we’ll explore the pros and cons of various renewable energy technologies. Yup, the magic can continue.

Some pretty clever folks waved their wands and created multiple ways to generate electricity. But let’s say that anytime you wanted to charge your devices or use the internet, then you’d have to drive to a facility. That would be pretty miserable, wouldn’t it?

Thanks to a bunch of utility nerds - I mean, engineers - we can gain access to electricity from the comfort of our own homes. High-voltage transmission lines can be installed either above or below ground and are used to safely transfer energy from one location to another. Although, even this process has faults.

Transporting high-voltage electricity can be very dangerous, so it’s important that the materials that make up our infrastructure are safe and effective. With 70% of our transmission lines nearing the end of their useful life, harmful gas leaks from deteriorating equipment and poor maintenance are contributing to our total greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show that approximately 5% of all transported electricity is lost when traveling through transmission and distribution lines due to heat resistance in conductors.

I hope you’re not too hungry, because here comes an analogy in the only way I know best… ice cream.

Leiby’s Ice Cream generates over 60 delicious ice cream flavors. Gallons are transmitted to their parlors, where they are then distributed to customers in more convenient serving sizes. Unfortunately, the trucks that they use to transport the ice cream is old, inefficient, and not well maintained. These trucks will occasionally leak harmful pollutants during transmission. Furthermore, ice cream trucks have to stay cold so you’re not eating soup at the parlor instead. With increasing temperatures due to climate change, there is even more strain being placed on the trucks to perform effectively. These warmer temperatures also affect the outdoor parlor area, so it isn’t uncommon for customers to spill some of their product during distribution.

According to a report released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, voluntary demand for renewable energy is increasing by nearly 20% each year. Companies are taking strides to attaining sustainability or financial goals, and you can too! If you live in a deregulated energy state, then consider purchasing energy from renewable wind or solar generators. If you live in a regulated energy state, then consider switching to more energy-efficient appliances or smart home technologies to reduce your overall consumption. Remember, the less energy you use, the more money you have in your pockets too!

Thanks for sticking with us through our Electricity Grid 101 series! Pat your back, strut your stuff, and gear up! We’ve got more exciting factoids right around the corner. Just don’t let all that power go to your head.

Next week, we’re kicking off an exciting new series we like to call The Renewable Roadshow. Join us as we explore some of the many new technologies dedicated to alternative methods of energy generation.

Have a specific topic on climate science you want to learn about? Let us know. All responses are anonymous!