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Energy Gang

We Argue About the True Cost of Wind and Solar: How Cheap Are They Really?

Energy Gang

Wood Mackenzie

Tech News, Environment, Sustainability, Innovation, Renewable Energy, Technology, Alternative Energy, Energy, News, Cleantech, Wind Energy, Business, Climate Change, Solar Energy

4.61.3K Ratings

🗓️ 31 July 2014

⏱️ 42 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How do we calculate the true cost of intermittent renewables? The levelized cost of wind and solar are falling by the day. But how cheap are they really? A recent study from the Brookings Institution concludes that they are higher than presumed when using a cost-benefit calculation. In this podcast, we'll debate the merits of the Brookings study and ask what assumptions one should make when evaluating the cost of different technologies. Later in the show, we’ll talk about the debate over the Export-Import Bank Washington, and assess the impact of new tariffs imposed on Chinese solar products coming into the U.S. This podcast is sponsored by eGauge Systems, a manufacturer of next-generation energy meters for solar generation and building demand, submetering, performance contracts, LEED projects and net zero buildings. The Energy Gang is produced by Greentechmedia.com. The show features weekly discussion between energy futurist Jigar Shah, energy policy expert Katherine Hamilton and Greentech Media Editor Stephen Lacey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Transcript

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0:00.0

This Podcast is brought to you by E-Gage Systems, Advanced Affordable and Reliable Energy Monitoring.

0:08.0

The E-Gage is a data logger, web server, and energy Meter in one device.

0:13.0

With revenue-grade accuracy,

0:15.0

E-Gage can be used to optimize efficiency

0:17.0

and for solar monitoring and sub-metering.

0:20.0

Learn more at e-Gage.

0:22.0

Net. Learn more at e-Gage.net.

0:25.0

For the week of July 30th, 2014,

0:30.0

this is the Energy Gang from Green Tech Media.

0:33.0

Welcome to our show.

0:40.0

I'm Green Tech Media Senior Editor Stephen Lacy in our nation's capital.

0:45.0

Also in Washington, my co-host Catherine Hamilton, she's our resident Clean Tech Policy

0:50.0

Guru.

0:51.0

Catherine, anything exciting happening over there at 38 North? It's always

0:55.0

exciting at 38 North but today I'm actually podcasting from home after making

1:00.3

sure that my kids were safely in camp. One of my kids is actually obsessed with the energy gang

1:05.3

and has his own microphone and pretends that he's Stephen and Jigger

1:08.4

at different times.

1:09.7

That is amazing.

1:11.3

It's hilarious.

1:13.0

Yeah, he loves it.

1:14.0

So I had to get him to camp first.

...

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