Join us for our first ever Book Club discussion. …and if you can’t read the book in time, join us a week later to hear from the author.
There are lots of places you can find the book online. If you’re not sure about investing the time, here is the Guardian review and an interview with Dave Roberts.
Book Club: register for Wednesday 4th September 7:30pm
Author chat: hopefully a week later at 5:30pm
Please register and happy reading – we look forward to a great conversation!
Here’s my summary of the book via the chapters:
• Introduction – renewables keeps getting cheaper but RE investment is not responding because it is still not profitable and bankable
• Electric Dreams – the electric future is almost assumed even while we service growth in large part with new fossil fuel investments
• The Business of Power – unbundling, de-monopolisation, privatisation and marketisation.
• Free gifts of nature – but it still takes a lot to develop a project, finance it and connect it to the grid.
• The Price is Right – since the 80’s we’ve tried to solve environmental issues via markets and price. Low price is important and transition won’t happen without it.
• The Price is Wrong – But profit is more important. Steam was more expensive than water but it had other virtues.
• The Wild West – markets are volatile. RE can’t hedge the same way as gas. Stabilising RE prices has relied on PPAs, long term hedges and government intervention.
• Eating Itself Alive – Renewables are compelled to be competitive against other renewables = no profits for anyone.
• Market Failure – corporate PPAs have their limitations.
• Stuck on Support - pretending support isn’t needed is unhelpful.
• Electric Nightmares – some terrible stories of blackouts, brownouts, rationing and the Europe commandeering gas from Pakistan. A renewed interest in energy security.
• Road to Nowhere (or fiddling while Rome burns) – doesn’t want to draw conclusions but points to big public sector co-investment or support.
worth a blog. Upon reflection, I think my main takeaway from the book is ‘don’t be complacent’- The Price is Wrong by Brett Christophers | changing weather by Heather Smith
