The Unpopular Truth About Energy. Why Net Zero Is Failing and What Comes Next

In this episode of Energy Newsbeat – Conversations in Energy, host Stu Turley sits down with Dr. Lars Schernikau, author of The Unpopular Truth About Electricity and the Future of Energy, to unpack why reliability and affordability must lead energy policy. They dive into the real costs of large-scale wind and solar—intermittency, low energy density, short lifetimes, grid stability (AC vs. DC/inertia), and hidden disposal/subsidy issues—contrast ERCOT nameplate vs. actual load, and spotlight energy poverty from Pakistan to Africa. Schernikau argues that “energy security starts at home,” calling for honest accounting and smarter investment in modern thermal, nuclear (incl. SMRs), geothermal, and long-horizon fusion—while noting AI/data centers make power resilience more critical than ever. Along the way: Bill Gates’ recent climate-risk comments, COP priorities, NJ Ayuk and Chris Wright’s energy-access push, and why financing institutions are beginning to rethink greenwashed narratives. Learn more at unpopular-truth.com.Dr. Schernikau, Thank You for your wonderful leadership in the world of Energy markets, and I look forward to more discussions. - Stu Highlights of the Podcast 00:00 - Intro01:27 – Net Zero and Bill Gates’ Shift02:01 – Why Energy Reliability Matters03:13 – Ending Energy Poverty03:58 – Energy Efficiency Through History05:57 – Book Mention: Unpopular Truth06:12 – COP and Climate Priorities07:08 – Reliability Before Affordability09:04 – ERCOT Grid Costs & Overbuild10:39 – The 3 Problems: Intermittency, Density, Lifetime14:36 – Solar Durability Issues15:30 – Overbuilding and Storage Costs17:24 – Subsidies & Disposal Costs18:49 – Recycling and Greenwashing19:43 – Grid Stability: AC vs. DC23:16 – Energy Security Risks24:25 – Complex Grids & Vulnerability26:50 – Africa’s Energy Development27:55 – Global Fuel Dependence32:26 – Politics, IEA, and Funding33:42 – Real Cost of Wind & Solar35:39 – Geothermal Laser Breakthrough36:10 – Future of Energy: Nuclear to Fusion38:38 – Germany’s Nuclear Irony39:11 – European Politics & Hope40:10 – Financing & Greenwashing Shift42:33 – Wrap Up & Final ThoughtsFull transcript on https://theenergynewsbeat.substack.com/

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